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97th out of 943 books
—
758 voters
President Lincoln: The Duty of a Statesman
The American president has come to be the most powerful figure in the world—and back in the nineteenth century a great man held that office. William Lee Miller’s new book closely examines that great man in that hugely important office: Abraham Lincoln as president.
Wars waged by American presidents have come to be pivotal historical events. Here Miller analyzes the commande...more
Wars waged by American presidents have come to be pivotal historical events. Here Miller analyzes the commande...more
Hardcover, 512 pages
Published
February 5th 2008
by Knopf
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The more I read about Lincoln the more impressed I am with him as an incredible leader and human being. He was not perfect and very possibly many of the things he did were done for a reason yet he did them and that is the big difference. This is what is missing in todays climate a total focus and falling back on what you believe. His ability to adjust and meander through all the obstacles is incredible. The Duty of a Statesman was a decent look at some of the world Mr. Lincoln successfully tread...more
I gave this book 5 stars because I have had my eyes opened like never before about Lincoln in the Civil War. So the rating is mostly based on the experience of the book - and not how well it was written. I say this because like most nonfiction it is not easy to breeze-read through it. (I am also not disparaging the author. He does a great job and keeps it interesting and freely moving). I started this book back in 2008 and would put it aside for a time as I would take up whatever took my fancy a...more
Good, well-written study of Lincoln's presidency. Lincoln was certainly an extraordinary human being, and the United States probably exists now only because he was president at that particular time. During the Civil War, he had the difficult task of prosecuting the war while not alienating the border slave states. Losing the border states could have led to the loss of the war and thus the perpetuation of slavery and the destruction of the United States. Due to his political mastery as well as hi...more
A compelling and thoughtful read. In my opinion, the best study of the moral dilemmas Lincoln faced during the war. My favorite chapter is entitled, "I Felt it my Duty to Refuse," and recounts the story of the famously soft-hearted Lincoln, upholding the death sentence of Nathaniel Gordon, the first, and only, American to be hung as a slave trader. No mercy this time.
I have read over 20 books on the life of Abraham Lincoln and I never tire of looking at his life and work from a different angle and although I was familiar with greater than 90% of the incidents and events discussed in this book I appreciated and enjoyed this author's perseptions from the perspective of statesmanship. Oh, for an Abraham Lincoln today!
This is a fascinating examination of President Lincoln's personal moral code and how that morality shaped the major decisions and dilemmas of his presidency. After reading this, you'll know why Lincoln was not only our nation's greatest president, but one of its greatest human beings period.
Highly readable study of Lincoln's presidency. I particularly enjoyed the chapters on Lincoln's use of the pardon power. His handling of McClellan was also highly interesting, to say the least. Very different from Obama and McChrystal!
Miller is a very elegant writer. His "The Duty of a Statesman" is a beautiful book to read and it provides a very strong insight into Lincoln strength.
Excellent, but not as tight as Lincoln's Virtues.
This is a great book that chronicles the many decisions made by Lincoln during his term in office. It is a good reference for Lincolnophiles. I recommend it highly.
Excellent analysis of Lincoln's words and actions (more about his words, however) as President. Does a particuarly nice job of analyzing his inaugural addresses and many of his thoughts about slavery and the Civil War. A little scholarly at times but very thought-provoking.
Thoughtful study on how Lincoln approached the duties of his office and of how he allowed or did not allow his personal ethics to impact his decisions and actions in office. If only we had leaders today with the same moral integrity and political acumen.
Mar 12, 2008
Lisa
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Lincoln buffs, Civil War buffs
Shelves:
read-2008
A very good book about the decisions President Lincoln had to make as the commander-in-chief of the country and as a human being. Very insightful.
May 19, 2013
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William Lee Miller is Scholar in Ethics and Institutions at the Miller Center. From 1992 until his retirement in 1999, Mr. Miller was Thomas C. Sorensen Professor of Political and Social Thought and Director of the Program in Political and Social Thought at the University of Virginia. He was professor of religious studies from 1982 to 1999, and chaired the Department of Rhetoric and Communication...more
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