Lincoln: A Life of Purpose and Power

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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

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.

Subject:

Biography-Presidents and Heads of State

Copyright:

2006

Edition Description:

American

Publication Date:

20060131

Binding:

HARDCOVER

Grade Level:

General/trade

Language:

English

Illustrations:

74 ILLUS IN TEXT and 3 MAPS

Pages:

416

Dimensions:

9.50x6.62x1.48 in. 1.72 lbs.