Liberty and Union

by David Herbert Donald

Recounts the sectional controversies that occurred during the Jacksonian Era and the Populist Period and their effects on our economic organization, race relations, literary history, and social structure

Genres: History, American History, Civil War

328 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Majoring in history and sociology, Donald earned his bachelor degree from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. He earned his PhD in 1946 under the eminent, leading Lincoln scholar, James G. Randall at the University of Illinois. Randall as a mentor had a big influence on Donald's life and career, and encouraged his protégé to write his dissertation on Lincoln's law partner, William Herndon. The dissertation eventually became his first book, Lincoln's Herndon, published in 1948. After graduating, he taught at Columbia University, Johns Hopkins and, from 1973, Harvard University. He also taught at Smith College, the University of North Wales, Princeton University, University College London and served as Harmsworth Professor of American History at Oxford University. At Johns Hopkins, Columbia, and Harvard he trained dozens of graduate students including Jean H. Baker, William J. Cooper, Jr., Michael Holt, Irwin Unger, and Ari Hoogenboom.

He received the Pulitzer Prize twice (1961 and 1988), several honorary degrees, and served as president of the Southern Historical Association. Donald also served on the editorial board for the Papers of Abraham Lincoln.

David H. Donald was the Charles Warren Professor of American History (emeritus from 1991) at Harvard University. He wrote over thirty books, including well received biographies of Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Wolfe and Charles Sumner. He specialized in the Civil War and Reconstruction periods, and in the history of the South.

Reviews

[Erin Bottger (Bouma) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was reading this book while listening on Audible to Ron Chernow's "Grant" and the two were very complimentary and reinforcing. I found Donald's point of view and analysis quite interesting and convincing, though the book was published in 1978.

David Herbert Donald looks at the natural tension in American democracy between maintaining national unity and yet providing for the free expression of regional/state/group/minority interests. The struggle of U.S. history has been to strike an equilibrium between these two poles of freedom.

This book looks especially at the proffered compromises and tests from 1840 leading up to the Civil War, the various adjustments forced on both the North and South by Stalemate, institutional innovations tried by both sides through the War, and the tumultuous period following the War of Reconstruction, national and international expansion and the reconciliation that took place to re-create a national identity and purpose.

The book is filled with relevant and insightful photos and maps which further bring the period alive. I like the broad scope of this study with a fairly objective look at the practical realities and challenges faced by political and military leaders. "Liberty and Union" spends time on transportation, financial, monetary, cultural and even literary impact on this period of American history.

Donald offers an extensive 27-page bibliographic essay for further reading.

[+Chaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

An analyses the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the politics around it. An interesting read