Lincoln On Democracy

by Mario Cuomo (Editor), Abraham Lincoln, Harold Holzer

Back in print after ten years, this unique book brings together 141 speeches, speech excerpts, letters, fragments, and other writings by Lincoln on the theme of democracy. Selected by leading historians, the writings include such standards as the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address, but also such little-seen writings as a letter assuring a general that the President felt safe―drafted just three days before Lincoln’s assassination.

In this richly annotated anthology, the writings are grouped thematically into seven sections that cover politics, slavery, the union, democracy, liberty, the nation divided, and the American Dream.

The introductions are by well-known Gabor Borritt, William E. Gienapp, Charles B. Strozier, Richard Nelson Current, James M. McPherson, Mark E. Neely, Jr., and Hans L. Trefousse. In addition, each section’s title page displays a photograph of Lincoln from the time period covered in that section, with a paragraph describing the source and the occasion for which the photograph was made.

Genres: Politics, United States, History, Biography, Civil War

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Mario Matthew Cuomo served as the 52nd Governor of New York from 1983 to 1994. Cuomo became nationally known for his keynote speech at the 1984 Democratic National Convention and the subsequent speculation over the next decade that he might run for the Democratic Party nomination for President of the United States.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great read for MLK,Jr day. In his own words, Lincoln explores the deeply complex and difficult issues of embracing social change in the United States.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was well researched and made me take a whole new look at this man and appreciate him for what he truly was. Now i rank him amongst our top 5 presidents.