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Lincoln: A Life of Purpose and Power

by Richard Carwardine

Lincoln: A Life of Purpose and Power Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

An original and deeply insightful biography of Abraham Lincoln, already awarded the prestigious Lincoln Prize.

As a defender of national unity, a leader in war, and the emancipator of slaves, Abraham Lincoln lays ample claim to being the greatest of our presidents. But the story of his rise to greatness is as complex as it is compelling. In this superb biography, the highly regarded Oxford University historian Richard Carwardine examines Lincoln both in his dramatic political journey and in his nation-shaping White House years. Through his groundbreaking research, Carwardine probes the sources of Lincoln’s moral and political philosophy. We see how, while pursuing office, Lincoln drew strength from public opinion and the machinery of his party. We see him, as a wartime president, recognizing the limits as well as the possibilities of power, and the necessity of looking for support beyond his own administration. We see how he turned to the churches, to their humanitarian agencies, and to the volunteer Union Army for allies in his struggle to end slavery.

In illuminating the political talents that went hand in hand with large and serious moral purpose, Carwardine gives us a fresh, important portrait of the incomparable Abraham Lincoln.

Book News Annotation:

Carwardine (American history, Oxford U.) received the Lincoln Award--the first British scholar to do so--for this biography, originally published in 2003 by Pearson/Longman. Half of it addresses Lincoln's (1809-65) career and the roots of his political ambition before he became president of the US.
Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Book News Annotation:

Carwardine (American history, Oxford U.) received the Lincoln Award--the first British scholar to do so--for this biography, originally published in 2003 by Pearson/Longman. Half of it addresses Lincoln's (1809-65) career and the roots of his political ambition before he became president of the US. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Review:

“Carwardine succeeds brilliantly in comprehending both the pragmatic and moral dimensions of Lincoln the political leader. No other historian has penetrated so incisively and handled so deftly Lincoln as practical politician and Lincoln as moralist.”

William J. Cooper

Review:

“Richard Carwardine’s long suit is his skill in situating Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln's various political, social and religious contexts during the Civil War. Carwardine's Lincoln is the most perceptive and powerfully-written biography of Lincoln by an English historian since Lord Charnwood.”

Allen C. Guelzo, Henry R. Luce Professor of the Civil War Era & Director, Civil War Era Studies at Gettysburg College

Review:

“Lincoln: A Life of Purpose and Power stands up to any comparison. Carwardine’s confident writing and exemplary scholarship come together well in this faceted, evenhanded treatment of the 16th president. . . Carwardine wisely reinterprets many sources to present his nuanced overview of the moral man who was Abraham Lincoln.”

Kimberly Marlowe Hartnett, The Oregonian

Review:

“Carwardine's astute blending of information and interpretation affords a rare result — the sense of an accurate perspective. It is like having the best seat in the house.”

Douglas L. Wilson, Lincoln Studies Center

Review:

“The best book on Lincoln to appear in many years . . . by a true expert in the politics and history of the antebellum and Civil War eras.”

David Hein, Professor and Chair of Religion and Philosophy, Hood College

Review:

“In the very crowded shelves containing books about Abraham Lincoln, Professor Carwardine has added a superbly conceived and crafted study, filled with fresh perspectives that add a great deal to our understanding of the sixteenth president. It is a great achievement.”

Joel H. Silbey, Cornell University

Review:

“The Atlantic can serve as a wonderful clarifying prism. Oxford don Richard Carwardine looks across it and paints a remarkable picture of the greatest of the Americans who fused the secular and the sacred.”

Gabor S. Boritt, Director, Civil War Institute, Gettysburg College

Review:

“An illuminating and thoroughly intelligent assessment of Lincoln the politician. . . Carwardine provides a comprehensive study of how an essentially good man could gain and wield power, even in scoundrel time.”

Kevin Baker, The New York Times

Review:

“One closes this biography wondering how postbellum politics might have been different were it not for that fateful gunshot on April 14, 1865. Carwardine’s Lincoln Prize-winning study is not only analytical and smart, it’s also delightfully readable — and it will surely emerge as one of the most important Lincoln books to be published this decade.”

Publishers Weekly, starred review

Synopsis:

This original and insightful biography of Abraham Lincoln has already been awarded the prestigious Lincoln Prize.

About the Author

Richard Carwardine, the Rhodes Professor of American History at Oxford University, is the first British scholar to be awarded the Lincoln Prize, the largest award in the United States for nineteeth-century American history. His previous work includes Evangelicals and Politics in Antebellum America. He lives in Oxford.

Table of Contents

Preface

1. Inner Power: Lincoln’s Ambition and Political Vision, 1809–54

2. The Power of Opinion: Lincoln, the Illinois Public, and the New Political Order, 1854–58

3. The Power of Party:Winning the Presidency, 1858–60

4. The Limits of Power: From President-Elect to War President, 1860–61

5. The Purposes of Power: Evolving Objectives, 1861–65

6. The Instruments of Power: Coercion and Voluntary Mobilization, 1861–65

7. The Potency of Death

Afterword

Notes

Further Reading

Chronology of Lincoln’s Life

Select Glossary of Terms

Illustration Credits

Index

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
OneMansView, December 20, 2008 (view all comments by OneMansView)
An extraordinary man

This book is concerned with how a man of such humble background was so successful in managing his political career, beginning in the middle 1830s, as well as leading the nation in by far the greatest crisis that it has ever endured. The author is not concerned with typical biographical details of Lincoln’s life. It is Lincoln’s character and personality, his strong desire to succeed and make a name for himself, his knack of correctly reading people and the broader society, his ability to appeal to disparate social and political elements, his pragmatic and sure-handed approach concerning his own affairs as well as those of the nation, his deliberate yet firm decision-making – these are the author’s focus.

The 1850s were an extremely turbulent time in American history with issues of slavery, abolitionism, immigration, and nativism dominating. Political parties ranging from the long-entrenched Democrats, the disintegrating Whigs, the short-lived Free Soilers and the Know-Nothings, and the newly emergent Republicans, all with their sub-variants, had to contend with those matters. Protestantism, both old-line and evangelical, and Catholicism cut across all the parties as well as the issues.

It was Sen. Stephen Douglas’ idea of allowing the extension of slavery into Federal territories using the guise of popular sovereignty that ignited an already volatile political situation and renewed Lincoln’s interest in politics in 1854. For Lincoln, a Henry Clay Whig, evangelicals, abolitionists, and others, this turn of events constituted an unconscionable violation of the principles and policies set forth by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. It is during this period that Lincoln demonstrates to those in his home state of Illinois and then the nation that he had not only the intellectual and moral capacity to counter Douglas but also the practical ability to help create a broad-based Republican Party to find political solutions for these contentious issues.

As the author shows, the difficulties faced by Lincoln as President were immediate and scarcely to be believed. How should the secession of seven Southern states be regarded and what actions should be taken? Lincoln had to walk a tightrope his entire Presidency in trying to be true to his moral purposes of saving the Union and altering the institution of slavery, if not eliminating it, keeping the public energized, and satisfying both the radicals and conservatives of his party, as well as keeping War Democrats and border state loyalists happy while not letting the Peace Democrats undermine him. When it became obvious to Lincoln that slavery would have to be directly addressed, his careful handling of the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, in the context of rampant Northern and Southern racism, kept the war effort on track.

The author notes the religiosity of American society during this period and its connection to the moral, high-mindedness of the Puritans. Lincoln, though not a rigid believer, constantly appealed to the moral sensitivities of the public throughout the War. He also spoke of a higher power guiding him and overseeing the resolution of this horrific conflict. Despite those views, there was no passivity in his Presidency. There was an overwhelming sense of purpose to align the nation with the principles of the founding.

This book clearly demonstrates that Lincoln was a remarkable man. He had the courage, self-discipline, and confidence that only a man can have who has worked hard for what he can do and knows. Lincoln exerted his immense skills and perceptions so subtly that many of his time scarcely knew of his exceptionality. Average citizens regarded Lincoln as one of them, yet there was a sense of his extraordinary kindness and wisdom. He came to be known as Father Abraham among Union soldiers. It is amazing that a man of Lincoln’s disposition and capabilities came on the scene at the most critical time in our nation’s history.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9781400044566
Subtitle:
A Life of Purpose and Power
Author:
Carwardine, Richard
Publisher:
Knopf Publishing Group
Subject:
History
Subject:
Historical - U.S.
Subject:
Presidents
Subject:
Presidents & Heads of State
Subject:
United States - History - Civil War, 1861-
Subject:
Presidents -- United States.
Edition Description:
American
Publication Date:
January 2006
Binding:
Hardcover
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
416
Dimensions:
9.50x6.62x1.48 in. 1.72 lbs.

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