How did Abraham Lincoln, long held as a paragon of presidential bravery and principled politics, find his way to the White House? How did he become this one man great enough to risk the fate of the nation on the well-worn but cast-off notion that all men are created equal?
Here award-winning historian John C. Waugh takes us on Lincoln's road to the Civil War. From Lincoln's first public rejection of slavery to his secret arrival in the capital, from his stunning debates with Stephen Douglas to his contemplative moments considering the state of the country he loved, Waugh shows us America as Lincoln saw it and as Lincoln described it. Much of this wonderful story is told by Lincoln himself, detailing through his own writing his emergence onto the political scene and the evolution of his beliefs about the Union, the Constitution, democracy, slavery, and civil war. Waugh brings Lincoln's path into new reliefby letting the great man tell his own story, at a depth that brings us ever closer to understanding this mysterious, complicated, truly great man.Front Jacket
How did Abraham Lincoln, long held as a paragon of presidential bravery and principled politics, find his way to the White House? How did he become this one man great enough to risk the fate of the nation on the well-worn but cast-off notion that all men are created equal?
Here award-winning historian John C. Waugh takes us on Lincoln s road to the Civil War. From Lincoln's first public rejection of slavery to his secret arrival in the capital, from his stunning debates with Stephen Douglas to his contemplative moments considering the state of the country he loved, Waugh shows us America as Lincoln saw it and as Lincoln described it. Much of this wonderful story is told by Lincoln himself, detailing through his own writing his emergence onto the political scene and the evolution of his beliefs about the Union, the Constitution, democracy, slavery, and civil war. Waugh brings Lincoln s path into new relief by letting the great man tell his own story, bringing us ever closer to understanding this mysterious, complicated, truly great man."
Back Jacket
From Lincoln s own words his speeches, letters, and diaries discover his journey to Civil War
ADVANCE PRAISE FOR ONE MAN GREAT ENOUGH:
"As always, John C. Waugh combines a historian's vision with a journalist s nose for news-- and the result is another rich page-turner which will make readers think they are along for Abraham Lincoln's improbable ride to fame."
--Harold Holzer, co-chairman US Lincoln Bicentennial Commission
"One Man Great Enough is a treasure. It is a gift to all of us as we approach Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday. Richly written, it is the wonderful story of the evolving leadership and political courage of an American who should be emulated by every public official."
-- Frank J. Williams, founding Chair of The Lincoln Forum
"Journalist-historian John C. Waugh has scored another tour de force. Waugh provides special dimensions to the exciting story that brought the right man to the presidency as the nation faced its greatest crisis."
-- Edwin Cole Bearss, Chief Historian Emeritus of The National Park Service / author of FIELDS OF HONOR: Pivotal Battles of the Civil War "
