Lincoln University Books

Absolutely outstanding book on the complicated second American revolution that occured as a result of the American Civil War and the startling reversals that took place not ten years later. McPherson's essays are masterful.

First rate.

This well-argued collection of James McPherson's occasional pieces focuses primarily on what the author sees as the fundamental changes that the Civil War brought to America's polity, economics, culture, and self-identity. The first, second, third, and seventh of the essays deal especially with this theme. The middle fourth, fifth, and sixth essays are less directly related to it, but nonetheless offer fascinating explorations of Lincoln the total war president, Lincoln the wordsmith, and Lincoln the "hedgehog."

Many of the people who lived through the Civil War thought of it as a revolution. Many historians since have agreed, although for varying reasons. McPherson's main project in this book is to figure out whether and how the Civil War can be considered the "second American Revolution."
He believes that the war was in fact revolutionary on several counts.

First, the war shifted the economic and political power balance in the United States. The war's devastation of southern property and demographics, especially after it evolved from a limited to a total conflict, shifted economic superiority to northern industry and agriculture. Moreover, the southern states' virtual antebellum monopoly of the White House, as well as their immense congressional power, was broken for the next half century. This is what McPherson (and others) refer to as the "external" revolution.

But there was an "internal" revolution too in the realm of legal rights and national self-identity. Four million slaves were freed and granted civil and political rights, and the southern aristocracy, along with the entire way of life and set of values it maintained, disappeared (or at least went underground). Moreover, argues McPherson, the war brought about a shift from early Republic concentration on liberty as "freedom from" (negative liberty), which distrusted strong central government, to liberty as "freedom to" (positive liberty), which emphasized the responsibility of the federal government to guarantee civil rights. This shift helped create a new sense of national identity that focused on the nation rather than the region: hence McPherson's claim that the Civil War moved the country from a "union" to a "nation."

The influence of the political philosopher Isaiah Berlin is present throughout much of McPherson's thinking about liberty, and McPherson also draws on one of Berlin's most famous essays in designating Lincoln (Chapter VI) as a hedgehog in his single-minded devotion to preserving the union. McPherson might be drawing on the work of philosophers of language in his fascinating discussion (Chapter V) of Lincoln's influential talent for creating and manipulating "live" as opposed to "dead" metaphors in expressing his opinions and seeking support for his policies. In both these cases, McPherson nicely weaves some philosophical analysis into his historical interpretations.

Where I find McPherson less helpful is his rather uncritical discussion of Lincoln's suspension of habeas corpus (Chapter III). He rehearses the well-worn argument that the suspension was simply necessary from a pragmatic perspective--end of discussion. As Lincoln said in another context, "often a limb must be sacrificed to save a life." But this interpretation begs for a discussion of the moral and political short- and longterm trauma that the amputation inflicted on the body politic. How far can one go in suspending liberties in order to preserve liberty?

Nonetheless, the essays collected in Abraham Lincoln and the Second American Revolution are exactly what readers have come to expect from McPherson: illuminating, gracefully written, well-researched. They aren't the final word, and I suspect McPherson doesn't expect them to be. But they wonderfully enrich the on-going conversation.

James McPherson (Battle Cry of Freedom) is the preeminent Civil War author and scholar of our time. The Princeton University professor provides fresh insight into A. Lincoln in these seven essays.

McPherson demonstrates conclusively that the Civil War was indeed the Second American Revolution - it abolished slavery and smashed the political, economic, and social status quo. Before the War, southerners dominated American politics - after the war it was decades before a son of the south could be elected President. The absence of the south from the national legislature during the war allowed the passage of the great progressive and modernizing legislation; the Homestead Act, enabled a continental railroad, and land-grant colleges. After the war, blacks made great (if far from complete) progress in education, politics, and economics.

Unfortunately, the reactionary forces led a counter-revolution that attempted to turn back the massive changes in society with much success. That counter-revolution eventually yielded to a Second Reconstruction in the mid-20th century.

McPherson repeatedly returns to Lincoln's political evolution as the War changed from a limited war for limited ends to a total war for revolutionary ends. In the end Lincoln insisted on unconditional surrender.

I particularly enjoyed the essays entitled 'How Lincoln Won the War with Metaphors', which contrasts the communication abilities of Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, and 'The Hedgehog and the Foxes', in which McPherson favors us with a description of Lincoln as the single-minded hedgehog outlasting the multifarious foxes such as Horace Greeley and William Seward.

My only small quibble is that similar points are made using the same quotes in multiple essays (perhaps unavoidable in a collection of previously published essays), but the quotes are so evocative of Lincoln's thinking that the repetition is not only forgiven, but enjoyed.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in US history, Lincoln, or the Civil War era.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND THE SECOND AMERICAN REVOLUTION by James M. McPherson is a thin juicy volume. You feel energized as you read and absorb its deep insights. Each of six essays shows that it was Lincoln's reality anchored character and powerful intellect that transformed the United States to the country it is today. One essay shows how Lincoln's use of metaphor, culled from Aesop's Fables, the works of Shakespeare, and the Bible made him a consummate communicator. His metaphors resonated to the deepest layers of mind of the average American in way that instilled motivation and purpose to a war that seemed impossible to manage or win. Compared to Jefferson Davis who was so highly educated and abstract but was unable to connect with ordinary folk. But it is McPherson who too is able to convey to us this president's great powers with his own metaphors i.e. "barnyard philosophy," and his essay, "The hedgehog and the fox," which compares and contrasts Lincoln's abilities with the "smartest contemporaries." ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND THE SECOND AMERICAN REVOLUTION is a great distillate of the voluminous Civil War Literature. You must have it for your library.

This thin book which contains series of essays on how Abraham Lincoln revolutionized our nation during one of the most important periods of our nation proves to be well written and amazingly easy to understand. James McPherson writes clearly how the American Civil War was truly a revolutionary moment in our nation's history and how Lincoln took steps to ensure these changes. How we lived, our political/racial/social norms that are part of our society today took form during the Civil War. Even the way we waged war, have it roots in the Civil War, all have Lincoln's fingerprints all over it.

The book proves to be easy to follow and read. But in its simple prose, lies amazing insights and perception of Lincoln's influence during the war and his abilities to effect changes in our nation. I would say that this book is a "must read" for anyone interested in American history.

If you are willing to take the time to read this somewhat short book, I guarentte you will love the contents. It opens your mind to every possible scenario of every possible minute of Lincoln's Last hours. I reccomend this to anyone/everyone!

This little gem combines the readability of journalism (the author's teaching profession) with in-depth historical research, an unusual combination. It is a well-known subject, but here are some new perspectives:

--the photo often described as Lincoln's last portrait was
actually taken in February, 1865. This book shows you the
real last one.
--Booth didn't bore the peephole in the door to Lincoln's
box or make the bar obstructing the door leading to the
corridor of the boxes - that had been done some time before
by or for Lincoln's guards.
--Booth's illegitimacy preyed on his mind as a youth - perhaps shaping his character in a perverse way. One must
wonder about the same effect in some other, modern day
individuals with the same origin (Fidel Castro, Ted Bundy
and a recent US President).
-- Most telling are the widely varied descriptions of events by eyewitnesses. The author evaluates these and tells you the most likely version. Here is proof that circumstantial evidence
(including letters, bloodstains, etc.) is often more reliable than such eyewitnesses.
A minor issue - it is mentioned that the entry in Booth's diary for the day of the assassination states he cried "Sic
semper" - omitting "tyrannis" - and that he may have done so
because he didn't know how to spell tyrannis. It is, however, pointed out that he had asked about this spelling beforehand
(so he knew it). Also, Booth was undoubtedly familiar with the
6th verse of the Confederate song, "Maryland, My Maryland," which runs "Sic semper! 'tis the proud refrain" and he might have used the shortened phrase in his diary just as an abbreviation. Incidentally, as the book states, Lincoln's wallet contained several newspaper clippings. Not mentioned is that among these were laudatory articles. Lincoln had been the
subject of many cruel newspaper attacks and it is pathetic that even a great man apparently needed to know that someone approved of him.

I, too, purchased this book at Ford's Theatre. At first, I thought it would be one of those whodunnit books, but I was wrong. The author obviously put alot of effort, time & research into the book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I finished the entire book during the plane ride back to Los Angeles. I lent it to my family members and they, too, enjoyed it!

This book captures the readers attention and takes him on a step by step discourse of the hours before Lincoln's assassination. A very sad image is presented in the book because it's obvious Lincoln's last day of life may have been his happiest day of life. Lincoln was overcoming the anxieties of war, but was cut down when he had a handle on life. In this book the reader learns of the threats to the president's life and what could have been done to prevent Lincoln's death. Infortunately in 1865 all Booth needed to end the president's life was a passion against Lincoln. Great book!

A. Lincoln: His Last 24 Hours is one of the best books I've read about the fateful day in April 1865 when the 16th President was shot and killed at Ford's Theater. It paints a fascinating picture of a very tragic man on the last day of his too-short life. The relief and joy that Lincoln must have felt with the end of the Civil War finally at hand, his concern for how to achieve the nearly impossible task of reconstruction, and the never-ending personal challenges he faced in dealing with his wife are all captured in the words of Mr. Lincoln himself as well as through comments from observers who had contact with him on that day.

The book reads very much like a novel but is obviously very well researched with plenty of reference material documented via footnotes throughout. The author knows the subject well and is careful to note when conclusions not fully supported by documented research are drawn. The result is wonderfully readable and highly informative unlike many other accounts of that day.

For an account of Lincoln's thought (as well as Douglas') that serves to the credit of both of them, read this book. One of the finest books I have ever read, there are some chapters on Lincoln's thought that you will read time and time again. My copy of the book is marked up with great quotes where Harry Jaffa shows great insight into the tension and wonder that is the democratic thought of Abraham Lincoln, quite possibly the greatest democratic leader in history. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to know about the mind of Lincoln before the Civil War.

This book is a most profound examination of the thinking of both Sen. Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln concerning all of the issues associated with slavery up to the Civil War. Jaffa wants to set the record straight as far as any number of contentions by well-known historians of his era, known as revisionists. Most importantly, he flatly disputes the notion that the thinking and actions of Douglas (the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854) endorsing popular sovereignty were essentially equivalent to the principled stand of Lincoln based on the equality of all men in their long-term ramifications for slavery. Those revisionist historians contend that Lincoln and the Republicans should have accepted Douglas' solution to the slavery crisis, thus not precipitating the Civil War.

Another claim against Lincoln that Jaffa thoroughly discredits is that Lincoln, in fact, did not hold Negroes as equals, and simply used the issue for personal political gain regardless of the consequences for the Union. But Lincoln understood that politics is the art of the possible. The author makes clear that Lincoln held an intense respect for the principles of the Declaration of Independence, including the rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness for all, including Negroes. It was one thing for the Union to be formed with the taint of slavery, but the contention that Southerners came to that slavery was a "positive good" was felt by Lincoln to have the potential to completely undermine the basis of the US. Perhaps it could even be justified to enslave a group of "inferior" whites. Lincoln felt compelled to move the nation back to its core principles without alienating those who did not have the same clarity as to what was at stake.

The book is a challenging read. The issue of permitting slavery in territories became and remained contentious from 1820 on. The arguments for and against slavery in territories are quite subtle involving constitutionality, Congressional acts, territorial legislative bodies, and court decisions. The Dred Scott decision in 1857 disallowing restrictions on taking property (slaves) into territories is examined. Lincoln and the Republicans, rightfully so, were very apprehensive as to the long term ramifications of that decision. It was hardly a stretch to see where free states could become a thing of the past.

The book is only indirectly concerned with the Lincoln-Douglas debates. They are randomly referred to throughout the text, but earlier writings and speeches receive far more attention. Douglas' words concerning the Mexican territories and the Kansas-Nebraska Act are well covered. The author devotes a large segment to examining Lincoln's speech to the Young Men's Lyceum in 1938, where his thinking on major issues had already crystallized. Lincoln's address on temperance receives much attention.

The author is a disciple of Leo Strauss, the natural rights theorist. He does regard Lincoln as a preeminent natural rights thinker. There is some discussion of pre-civil society versus civil society. But the overall import of the book does not turn on acceptance of natural rights in a purist sense.

This book, decades after its publication, cannot be ignored for understanding Lincoln.

If you want to read one book about Lincoln's thought, this is the one to read. The first part of the book, which takes Douglas seriously and states the strongest case for him, is historically dense and may be difficult for most readers. But keep going, because the payoff will be great. There follow chapters on two of Lincoln's early speeches. Jaffa's analysis here is brilliant, though perhaps a bit far-fetched. In the final part of the book, Jaffa states the case for Lincoln against Douglas. This part is rich in its ideas, rigorous in its reasoning, and eloquent to the point of being inspirational. (By the way, if you want to read one biography of Lincoln, I'd recommend the one by Lord Charnwood. Though written almost a century ago and therefore not up to date on all the details of historical scholarship, it is judicious throughout and beautifully written.)

Perhaps the most interesting thing about Jaffa is that he wrote Goldwater's famous "moderation in the defense of freedom is no virtue" speech. If you go back and read the speech (and it is on the web, of course), it echoes both the Old Testament ("our fathers") and Lincoln. I suspect he would agree with the man who told me that Lincoln is the greatest prose stylish in the English language. As for the book, Jaffa interprets the civil war as the second, and genuine, founding of the American republic, and precisely because the principle of the Declaration, equality, was written not in ink but blood (Jaffa has his own brand of Lincolnian Christianity). Lincoln, by this reading, belongs to the "tribe of the eagle and the lion" and was neither Caesar nor Brutus but possessed the best qualities of both. To understand that part of Jaffa's interpretation, you would have to read his treatment of Shakespeare. As for the Lincoln-Douglas debates, Jaffa stages Douglas as Thrasymachus and Lincoln--surprise, surprise--as Socrates.

Professor Harry V. Jaffa's "Crisis of the House Divided" is an extremely important book. In it, he succeeds in turning back the revisionist historians of the mid-Twentieth Century who sought to devalue Abraham Lincoln's commitment to the proposition that "All men are created equal."

This tide of revisionism took two general forms; partisans for the South who placed the full blame on Mr. Lincoln for sparking the "War of Northern Aggression"; and modern historians, skeptical of any higher motives and virtues in statesmen of the past, who claimed that there were really no substantial policy differences between Mr. Lincoln and Senator Stephen A. Douglas. If the latter class of historian could prove that Lincoln didn't really believe in freedom for slaves and that his rhetoric against slavery was irresponsible (knowing how it offended Southern sensibilities) while Douglas' "Popular Sovereignty" policy would have eventually led to the limitation and elimination of slavery, then Lincoln's legacy as President could be shown to be the largely accidental.

Fortunately, Professor Jaffa's work demolishes the corrosive contentions of the revisionists, showing, beyond any doubt, that Mr. Lincoln believed America was founded on the principle of human equality as much as it was founded on the idea of democracy. That democracy and equality were the twin pillars of the American Republic and were in tension was something Mr. Lincoln well understood while Judge Douglas honored only democracy. Hence, Douglas' "Popular Sovereignty" led to the concept that the majority could decide slavery was not only legal, but also moral. In opposition, Mr. Lincoln argued that a majority did not have the right to sanction the enslavement of other men, regardless of their alleged inferiority, because "All men are created equal."

Professor Jaffa shows that Mr. Lincoln built upon the Founders' thoughts in the Declaration of Independence and urged their maturation towards the ideal. Lincoln saw how the Founders invoked passion, hatred and revenge in support of the cause of independence from Britain but how these passions were no longer adequate to the task of preserving the Union from the dangers of mobocracy or dictatorship - dangers made more immediate by the revolutionary birth of America and the tendency of unrestrained democracy to disdainful the rule of law. Instead, Lincoln recommended virtuous reason to lift the United States up, to show the world that it was truly capable of lasting self-governance. Of course, the cornerstone of this reason was the thinking through in the body politic, the practical consequences of the principle, "All men are created equal."

Professor Jaffa's book is a gift to America and the world. Were more people in office aware of the fundamental issues debated by Judge Douglas and Mr. Lincoln in 1858 during their remarkable campaign for the Illinois Senate, and their implications for policies even today, our nation would be stronger and our democracy more secure.

Reviewer: Chuck DeVore is a California State Assemblyman, a retired lieutenant colonel in the Army National Guard and the author of "China Attacks."

I am very interested in Russian history from 1891 through WWII since I collect a certain rifle that was used during that whole period. I have read various histories from the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-1905 through many of the WWII books that are available. When I saw this volume at a used book store for $4, I figured what the heck. At least I might be able to use it for a reference.

As I opened the cover and saw it started in 1891, I became optimistic. A few pages into the first chapter convinced me that I found a gem; an interesting and informative overview of what is a very important part of Russian history.

I bought this book for a class and was surprised at how engaging it is. This book is very well written and informative, and gave me a great general knowledge of Russia leading up to the Great War. The bibliography is extensive and very useful for anyone researching Russia in this era. Highly recommended.

I chose this title, because it was true, at least for me. As Americans, we (some of us, not all) "think" Russians are not "very intelligent", "backward" and even, "less than human."
After reading this book, I tend to "get on my soapbox" to help people understand what few choices, the Russian people ever had in the outcomes of their lives! I never knew this before purchasing and reading Mr. Lincoln's book!
If you cannot be convinced by the poverty imposed on the Russians through Mr. Lincoln's words, you will be convinced by the heart-wrenching photographs; the children who appear as hopeless, hovels designed as homes with animals living within, death from starvation was not uncommon. And all the time, Russia refused (those in power prior to the Revolution)to feed her people, wheat was being shipped to other European countries.
And the Russians never questioned the motives of the Tsar; after the Revolution, they still starved and were murdered by Stalin and Hitler.
We need to change our attitudes and this book did it for me.

In the forward, W. Bruce Lincoln states the book is "...an effort to explore the lives, thoughts, hopes, and dreams of the men and women who lived in the world's largest empire and to convey some sense of the tensions that tore at the fabric of their existence on the eve of the Great War and the Revolution of 1917." In this effort he succeeds brilliantly.

We see portraits of Tsar Alexander III, Nicholas II, Pobedonostsev, Lenin, Rasputin, and a host of other generals, officials and ordinary people who shaped that era.

We get an insider's look at what life was like in a peasant community, inside the peasant's izba or house, and their attitudes towards schooling, medicine and religion. We go inside the growing factories and the slums the workers inhabited in the cities with rapidly developing industry. We see the new nobility of the industrial barons, the revolutionaries fighting the tsarist autocracy, the defenders of the Old Order...all come to life in these pages.

Graphic descriptions are given of the vicious pogroms against Jews. The impact of the Trans-Siberian Railroad in both economic and a political aspects is covered. The 1904 war with Japan is there with its criminally incompetent generals and and admirals and the war's impact on the development of the Revolution of 1905 as well as the mood of the populace as the nations slides toward the Great War.

This well written, illuminating, detailed and well documented book is a classic work on the Russian society of those years and fleshes out the soul of Russia as few other books do. 16 pages of photos. Highly recommended.

I am Russian so I knew quite a lot about Russian history before opening this book. The book is the best guide to Russian history of the period. Here's why:

-It is written in a wonderful language - very easy to read, yet directed towards scholars.
-History is divided into chapters that concentrate on specific subjects.
-It is full of detail that other history books often lack. I was suprised to see Bruce Lincoln use original Russian words instead of finding an English equivalent for it (such as "izba," "domovoj," "dvorovoj," "lapti," etc.).
-Finally, I've not yet read a book that concentrates so much, and gives such an in-depth study, on the subjects that are usually avoided being talked about "pre-revolutionary" times (simply because they are deemed not important in the light of a warfare).

With this book you will get a clear idea of what the Russian society looked like on the dawn of WWI. Bruce Lincold actually spent several years in the Russian archives doing research (but not just for this book), so he has a first-hand knowledge on the subject.

The chapters discuss the following subjects:

Chapter 1 - 1891: The Fateful Year:
Basic overview of the situation in Russia by the yar or 1891: camine, construction of trans-Siberian railway, some politics.

Chapter 2 - In the Wake of Famine:
Famine, peasants and life in the country.

Chapter 3 - Russia's New Lords:
Emancipation, new layer of society "Kuptsi" and arts and trade associated with it.

Chapter 4 - Life in the Lower Depths:
Proletariat and life in cities and towns.

Chapter 5 - The Few Who Dared:
Revolutionaries - formation of the political parties, radicals, impact on literature.

Chapter 6 - Defenders of the Old Order:
Royal Defenders - key figures that supported the old "tzar" order; their lives and activities.

Chapter 7 - "A Small Victorious War":
The Japanese War - why, when, and how. Gives the background, as well.

Chapter 8 - 1905: The Year of Turmoil:
Revolution of 1905.

Chapter 9 - "What We Want is a Great Russia!":
Government - parties, duma, people behind the law, the lawmaking process.

Chapter 10 - "The Childre of Russia's Dreadful Years":
Art revolution.

Chapter 11 - The Last Days of Peace:
Political situation on the dawn of the WWI - foreign relations and repressions.

Chapter 12 - The Drums of War:
WWI and how it affected Russia and its people.

This was a good read for someone wishing to learn how Lincoln viewed what democracy is. Be prepared for a long read.

The book would be desired by anyeone with knowledge and interest of the Civil War period as well as U.S. democracy. For a reader new to the U.S. it will be a difficult and will probably remain on the shelf for a long time.

Be aware that Lincoln's main focus was to remove slavery and used "saving the Union" as an excellent tool to maintain our democracy without bearing the brunt of post-rebel success. It's great, especially if you'd like to add the book to a collection of others about Lincoln or U.S. democracy.

This book is a wonderful collection of Abraham Lincoln's writings. Everything is included here, from private letters to public speeches, coving every possible subject from the right to strike, through slavery, and on to Lincoln's views of America.

Overall, I found this to be a wonderful book. With the passage of time, Abe Lincoln has become less beloved by the establishment, and as such he is fading from the public view. But, this book does a wonderful job of bringing him back, and letting him speak for himself. I really enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it.

This is a great book for getting an overview of President Lincolns life in a chronological way. We learn how his thinking process develops as he encounters the diverse situations of his life and times. Through actual letters, speeches and business dealings we see the man. We find it is a man in the making. President Lincoln did not arrive full and complete in terms of philosophy. He developed his thesis of the rights of man as he lived the conflicts of his fellow citizens especially as it related to the slavery of the black man. A great book you must have in your personal library. A true resource for any student of civil rights and demorcacy in the western world. Makes a great gift for any student of history.
Respectfully submitted by;
Mark V. Aarssen
Canada

Lincoln on Democracy edited and introduced by Mario M. Cuomo and Harold Holzer is an anthology written by Lincoln, in his own words with essays by America's foremost Civil War historians. These include: Gabor S. Boritt, William E. Gienapp, Charles B. Strozier, Richard Nelson Current, James M. McPherson, Mark E. Neely, Jr., and Hans L. Trefousse.

I found this volume to be very valuable in understanding, not only Lincoln's psyche, but that of the country as a whole. Lincoln has been called one of the best writers among the American presidents, even though his delivery was not as dynamic. This unique anthology includes such well-known selections as the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address, but that is only the beginning. As there are equally inspiring speeches, letter, notes and diary entries. Not to mention a revealing dream that Lincoln wrote down for posterity.

"Lincoln on Democracy" documents Lincoln as an extraordinary leader, taking him from a local politician to a national leader in time of crisis. The reaffirmation of Lincoln's commitment to the ideas of liberty and the savior of the union.

This book is dedicated to the people of Poland as this volume was assembled at the request of the Solidarity teachers in a newly democratized Poland. There are seven chapters in this book dividing it into easily followed and logical order.

They are: "The People's Business" Lincoln and the American Dream 1832-1852

"All We Have Ever Held Sacred" Lincoln and Slavery
1854-1857

"Another Explosion Will Come" Lincoln and the House Divided 1858

"Right Makes Might" Lincoln and the Race for President 1859-1860

"Hour of Trial" Lincoln and the Union 1861

"Forever Free" Lincoln and Liberty 1862-1863

"For Us the Living" Lincoln and Democracy 1863- 1865

This is a fully annotated collection also containing an extensive chronology linking Lincoln's life and accomplishments with the world and national events with photograghs from various periods in his career. The essays are written extremely well and set the tone of each chapter making this volume compelling as we reexamine our republic with Lincoln as our guide for the time period of this book.

This is a book of the highest caliber, making available in a compact and accessible form a set of speeches, letters, and other writings by President Lincoln that rank in importance with the Federalist Papers, speeches by the American founding fathers, and even to some extent philosophical works like Locke's *Second Treatise* and Rousseau's *Social Contract*. I have used this book in a course in American political philosophy from the founders to Lincoln and it worked perfectly (I also used *Lincoln at Gettysburg* and a single-volume abridged edition of the Lincoln-Douglas debates, of which only a few selections could be reprinted in Holzer and Cuomo's volume). *Lincoln on Democracy* badly needs to be reprinted, since no other work like it is currently available. The introductory essays and short intros to each section are by first-rate scholars, and are very helpful. This volume clearly shows the growth of Lincoln's thought from his roots in the Whig political tradition (with its emphasis on internal improvements paid for by taxes falling largely on the rich, free labor, and the supremacy of the federal government). When the Republican party began under Lincoln's guidance, it stood for almost the opposite of everything it stands for today. Lincoln also developed the crucial argument against slavery in the enlightenment natural rights tradition, arguing that the sovereign authority of a democratic government rested on moral presuppositions concerning the natural freedom and dignity of each human person, which, therefore, no legislature could validly violate in laws it makes without losing the authority to make laws at all. One also finds in this book source, such at the Letter to the Boston Republicans, that echo Emerson's and Hegel's arguments against slavery, namely that enslaving others distorts the master's own psyche by basing his self-respect on coerced rather than free recognition from others, thus implicitly denying his own right to liberty. In sum, I recommend this book wholeheartedly to any student of Lincoln's thought, both in politics and democratic theory.

Weddle has given us a sympathetic tale of one of the premier figures of the 19th century navy -- Samuel Francis Du Pont, whose statue initially graced Washington's Dupont Circle before it was moved to his home state of Delaware and replaced by a fountain.

The climax of Du Pont's career was his least-succesful campaign -- the abortive attempt to take heavily-fortified Charleston from the sea. Weddle convincingly argues that this attack -- undertaken in spite of Du Pont's reservations -- was doomed to failure. The early ironclads were simply no match for heavy shore-based fortifications. In the best tradition of inter-service rivalry, the Navy rejected Du Pont's request for a joint army-navy assault: "I beg of you not to let the Army spoil it."

Equally interesting is Weddle's description of Du Pont's early career, which spanned a period of rapid technological change, from sail to sidewheeled steamers to ironclads with screws. Perhaps Du Pont's most important and lasting contribution was his successful struggle to introduce merit into the navy's promotion system.

A fascinating book! I particularly appreciate the way the author integrates Du Pont's human strengths and frailties with the bureaucratic, logistical, and armament systems of the time. He provided just enough background information on Du Pont's family, peers, and related events for readers to appreciate their impact without being taken off track. Ultimately the reader sees the guy as very much a real man with skills, challenges, successes and failures that are just as relevant today as 150 years ago. (Anyone who doubts the relevance of history to modern events need only read this book.) Finally, I greatly enjoyed learning about the technological advances of the day in the context of the times. It's easy for us today to look back at the Civil War as being an "old-style war" like that of 1812, but in reading Weddle's book I was enlightened to the fact that from a technological attitudes standpoint, the Civil War was much more of a "modern" war than I had previously realized. What kid isn't fascinated by the battle of the Monitor and the Virginia (Merrimack), for example? In history books that event is always presented as an isolated incident, but thanks to this book I now realize that steam-powered vessels and ironclads were the wonder weapons of their day -- they captured the public imagination (and those of military planners) just as tanks, jets, and nuclear weapons have in more recent times. It has been a truly delightful read and I've learned a lot. Incredible the peers Du Pont rubbed elbows with at the time -- legendary heroes like Stephen Decatur and Matthew Perry. If you like history, you will love this book. Not only does it offer fascinating facts and insights into a man and his times, but it reads like a novel. Don't miss it!

Great read! Easy, smooth flowing syntax and text. Almost reads like a novel. A nice mixture of text, maps, and images. Substantial research has brought together the personal man as well as the public man and his concern for United States protection and the well being of his naval forces.
Coming from a naval family, I was very interested in seeing the evolving history of the US Navy. I was also interested to follow the interaction of husband and wife and her influence on DuPont. Highly recommend this book.

Kevin Weddle has blazed new trails in this long-overdue look at one of the U.S. Navy's most important but little-known leaders. He has tapped into the extensive resources of the Du Pont family to capture the essence of a complex figure who stood tall at the cusp of a critical period of American history. The book is a quick read and Samuel Francis Du Pont's story is told with balance, style, and accuracy.
The best biographies hold relevance for for present and future leaders - and this one is no exception. Du Pont plays key roles as mariner, technological innovator, personnel reformer, diplomat, strategist, combat commander, and family man. Through it all, he remains a man of steadfast principle.
Kevin Weddle has spun a superb yarn and created an impressive work that shines a contemporary lamp on a long-neglected giant of the U.S. Navy. This volume is a worthy addition to the library of those with an interest in naval history, the Civil War, or leadership.

For those of you who eagerly await the one book on Civil War naval history for every fifty released concerning the land war, you will not be disappointed. Not only is this book an exceptional biography of Admiral Du Pont, but it also provides a thorough look at the Navy during the service's formative years prior to the Civil War. This is possible because Du Pont's influence proved instrumental during this period; he authored the first comprehensive national maritime strategy (which provided guidance for transforming the Navy from a coastal defense force into a "Blue Water" service with offensive capability), as well as catalyzed much-needed personnel reform. Du Pont's at-sea adventures in the Mexican War and during a hazardous voyage to the Far East also make for great reading. What sets this book apart from any good biography, however, is the insightful discussion of civil-military friction and ill-conceived reliance on technology that characterize Du Pont's 1863 attack on Charleston, SC. Du Pont was against this operation (believing it to be an unnecessary peripheral enterprise that would siphon off valuable - and limited - resources from the all-important blockade), but Lincoln, Navy Secretary Welles, and Assistant Secretary Fox all though the capture of Charleston had important symbolic value. Since civilian leadership sets policy and related strategic objectives, Du Pont saluted smartly and began planning the operation. Friction arose when the admiral tried to persuade Welles and Fox that Charleston could only be captured via a joint Army-Navy operation. Welles and Fox (demonstrating blatant service parochialism) favored an all-Navy operation, and instructed Du Pont to proceed without Army assistance. Despite evidence to the contrary (Drewry's Bluff, VA and Fort McAllister, GA), Welles and Fox were convinced that monitor ironclads alone could destroy Charleston's forts and capture the city; as a result, they confidently assured Lincoln that the monitor technology would prevail. Of course, Du Pont was correct and the operation tragically ended in failure. Civil-military friction and technology as a military panacea are familiar themes throughout American military history - and we see them still in the current global war on terrorism. Colonel Weddle, therefore, does the reader a great service by providing such a thought-provoking discussion and analysis of these crucial issues. Superbly written, thoroughly researched, and well organized, this book was a pleasure to read and I highly recommend it.

Here is a bold and well-documented argument that the Abe Lincoln-Ann Rutledge romance was real and not the stuff of legend or outright fabrication. Walsh presents testimony from numerous persons who knew Lincoln and Rutledge. Although I don't accept every source Walsh uses, I find the cumulative impact of his research to be persuasive.

This was an excellent book regarding the story of Lincoln and Ann Rutledge! Logical and concise--well worth the read! And I like the fact it doesn't bash Mary Todd Lincoln. The two relationships were at different times with different Lincolns---apples and oranges!

The Abraham Lincoln/Ann Rutledge romance is once again being debated among historians; any who want to get to the source of the legend would do well to start here.
Walsh does not write histories, so much as stories about how history is written. He takes small but important moments in American history - Lincoln's fabled "Almanac murder trial," or the hanging of British spy Major Andre during the Revolutionary War - and methodically peels away the layers of revisionist history to give us an unvarnished look at the event through the eyes of those who experienced it. At the same time, he lets us see how layer upon layer of scholarly interpretation can muddy the waters of our past to the point that the truth is all but invisible. In "The Shadows Rise," he meticulously traces how Lincoln's chief 19th-century biographer, William Herndon, first heard eyewitness accounts that, while living in New Salem, young Lincoln fell in love with, and became engaged to, a lovely, bright and popular woman named Ann Rutledge. Tracing all existing accounts of former New Salemites, he puts together a convincing and warmly human portrait of Lincoln's first love, and of her tragic death. In all, more than 20 people who knew Lincoln and Rutledge in New Salem (the entire population of which was only around 100) testified the two were in love and engaged, but historians - often basing their opinions on other historians' analysis, rather than first-hand understanding of eyewitness testimony - have hotly debated the story since Herndon first went public with it shortly after Lincoln's death in 1865. The book succeeds in revealing a tender and telling chapter in young Lincoln's life, and in introducing us to a charming young woman it is difficult not to fall a little in love with yourself. Perhaps most importantly, it also shows how much confusion historians can cause when they spend too much time talking to each other, and not enough time listening to the real voices of the past. This is a marvelously readable book, equal parts history and detective story, that will have history buffs thinking about the past in some new and important ways.

This is a book that has been 50 years overdue. The book effectively destroys the unwarrented attack on Ann Rutledge by Mary Todd Lincoln's defenders. Walsh shows that not a single person in New Salem at the time denied the affair. It was only when the Randalls in the mid-20th century decided to become Mary Todd Lincoln's defence attorneys that there was even a question about Ann Rutledge's affair with Lincoln.

A question that has never been answered is why did it matter? Why did MTL's defenders feel it cast aspertions on MTL if Lincoln was involved with a woman four years before he even met her?

I HAVE BEEN A LINCOLN SCHOLAR ALL MY LIFE AND ALL THE EVIDENCE POINTS OUT THAT ANN WAS ABE'S TRUE LOVE.WHEN SHE DIED ON AUGUST 25,1835 PART OF LINCOLN WENT INTO THE GRAVE WITH ANN.SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL,KIND AND LOVING-THE TYPE OF WOMAN LINCOLN WANTED.I AM SURE THAT HE LOVED MARY,BUT THERE WAS ALWAYS A SPECIAL PLACE IN HIS HEART OF ANN RUTLEDGE.I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!GOD BLESS ANN AND ABE!!!!!!!

An excellent review of early American History. I'm looking forward to the second part. Mr. Wall has a way of catching the essence of events without overburdening them with detail. His sense of humor lightens the subject matter while at the same time keeping it in context. His sidebars are a welcome innovation. I think this book would be of interest to older readers (as I am) interested in a refresher course as well as to those grappling with the basics of this fascinating subject.

This easy-to-read book is the history I should have learned in school years ago but did not. Highly recommended. Author has humor and tidbits that make the reading speed by.

James Wall's The Boundless Frontier: American From Christopher Columbus To Abraham Lincoln is a superb historical survey of key events in early American history. After an informative introduction, Wall dedicates individual chapter so the American Indians; exploration and discovery; the English interest in America; the Virginia Colony 1607-1699; the New England Colonies 1620-1691; the Middle Colonies 1664-1702; the Southern Colonies 1632-1734; religion in colonial America; patterns of settlement in North America; the colonial wars 1689-1763; British-American estrangement 1763-1775; the American Revolution 1775-1783; the Confederation Government 1781-1789; the Federal Constitution; the federalist Era 1789-1801; the Jeffersonian Era 1801-1815; the "Era of Good Feelings" 1815-1825; the Jacksonian Era 1825-1841; the era of "Manifest Destiny" 1841-1850; the era of popular sovereignty 1850-1860; the era of the Civil War 1861-1865; and a postscript "An Essay For Students" with commentary on books as history, periodization, dates and places. The Boundless Frontier is an impressive work of meticulous scholarship and a highly recommended, single volume survey of early American political history and development from colonial times through the end of the Civil War.

The Boundless Frontier is an extraordinary compendium of people and events in American history from its pre-European origins to the end of America's Civil War. It is not only highly informative, but quite entertaining as well (that's what kept me reading). Eras come magically alive through the author's felicitious writing style. The book reads like one good story. I would highly recommend this book not only for those interested in learning more about American history, but as a reader for college classes in American history.

The Boundless Frontier relates how religion, foreign events, economics, and the American spirit shaped the development of early America. The author moves away from the standard history book of simple facts and dates and guides the reader on a journey through key periods and defining events. By relating how separate events affected each other, he keeps the reader interested and motivated to read more. Lastly, the author breathes fresh life into the American experience through educational and entertaining sidebars that support and highlight noteworthy historical events. The Boundless Frontier is a great book for anyone wishing to expand his or her knowledge of American history from Columbus to the end of the Civil War. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more works by James Wall.

I purchased this book because I wanted an updated copy of the 1971 version. This book is practically identical to the older copy, but it's still great information and a really cool book.

This beautiful classic, repackaged by Alfred A. Knopf, will remain a treasured addition to the library of any lover of the ballet. Six hundred stunning illustrations, in 156 plates by Carlus Dyer bring life to the concepts.

I have the hard bound edition of this book, published some time ago by Alfred Knopf, and I never tire of looking at the drawings and appreciating the mathematical precision of classical ballet. The reading of this book will be of an enormous assistance to studying ballet, and it is also invaluable if one wants to study the more technical facets of the subject. Ballet is one form of dance that can be mathematically systemaitized and characterized, and this book is a great reference for such an undertaking. Definitely worth having and the paperback edition with its low price makes it completely accessible to all.

I thought this book contained good information and the drawings are incredible- although confusing at times. There are many steps described in this book, both advanced and beginner. I find this book a great addition to my ballet collection. As a dancer, it is a good reference book for me when I have a question or uncertainty about a step. This book describes in detail how to preform barre exercises, allegros, turns, pointe work, etc. This is a necessity for all dancers and dancer-wannabes.

This is a wonderful book for beginners as well as experienced dancers. In particular, this is one of the best references for barre exercises, but the center steps are well covered, too. This is actually my first choice when recommending barre exercise references, which is reason enough to include it in a ballet library.

I read this book early in the mornings before the newspaper arrived. I found myself getting up earlier and earlier each day so I could read more. I saw myself many times. I thought I was unique; however, after reading this book, I realized that I was just like other Husker fans. I started following the Huskers in the mid 50's. I have had season tickets since the 70's sometime. Thank you for such an entertaining book.

This book is great key to understanding the mind of a true Husker fan. If you grew up in Nebraska, you share an unspoken bond with the football program. One sport, and one sport only, dominates the airwaves, broadcasts, and conversation all across the state. Steve does a phenomenal job in describing his feelings, thoughts and emotions of growing up in Nebraska with football evrywhere you look.
When reading this book, you get an understanding of what it is like to be a Nebraskan, and why we have such a passion for football. The book helps make you understand why it much more than just a game, it is a way of life. Nowhere in the nation, does one team serve as the lifeforce for an entire people. Growing up in Nebraska, I have experienced and shared the same feelings and emotions. Husker football has been an emotional rollercoaster from the disappointing close calls of missed 2 point conversions and field goals that cost national championships, to the nail biter games with Oklahoma on Thansgiving, to a 60-3 record over 5 years with 3 national titles. Nebraska football means so much more than can be imagined to its fans and the residents of the great state of Nebraska. Steve lets you into the life of a Nebraskan growing up and becoming a Husker fan more and more along the way.

Steve Smith is a gifted writer and he has captured his love of the Huskers in this witty narrative. I simply could not put this book down. Mr. Smith's true gift is his ability to translate the emotions of a die-hard fan-the very definition of fanatical-into a character set that leaves the reader both relating to, and endeared by his love and devotion for Nebraska Football. This book isn't just for Huskers; every sports fan will enjoy its insight and humor.

I highly reccommend this book to all Cornhusker fans! Mr. Smith knows his Big Red football and understands the devotion they inspire because he is such a faithful fan himself. He accurately and humorously portrays what it means to be a Nebraska fan through the good, bad, and the ugly.

If you ever wondered what draws Husker fans to Lincoln on Saturdays in the fall, author Steve Smith lays it all out in this book. It is a humorous but honest look from one fan's perspective about the passion surrounding the draw of Husker football. Husker fans will immediately relate to this book. College football fans reading it will say to themselves "Aha! That's why they're so crazy!".

I wouldn't call this a 'fan' book as much as I'd call it a personal search by author Steve Smith trying to understand his love, passion, and fanaticism for Husker football. That search leads through his life starting with his first Husker game - a Nebraska 50-0 win over Iowa on September 20th, 1980 - to the firing of Frank Solich and the initial season of Bill Callahan. It's a journey that many of us have taken, coming from small town Nebraska to attend the University in Lincoln, where we would have expected, as Smith states "like countless hicks from the sticks, I assumed everyone in Lincoln wore Husker gear all the time".

Smith's writing is always entertaining, even when he's being brutally honest about Nebraska, saying things that we all know to be true but would never say out loud. You establish a personal relationship with him as he shares his life centered around Husker football. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as many of the memories related by Smith are similar to my own. Steve Smith has lived a mirror of my life due to our shared obsession with Husker football and coming from small-town Nebraska.

Forever Red is an excellent Husker fan book and would make a great present for any college football fan.