The Political Lincoln: An Encyclopedia / Edition 1

by Martin J. Hershock, Paul Finkelman

Overview

Meticulously detailed coverage of the life, politics, and legacy of one of our nation’s most influential presidents

Drawing on the latest in Lincoln scholarship, The Political Lincoln: An Encyclopedia—published to coincide with the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth—uniquely addresses the political aspects of the sixteenth president’s actions, influence, and legacy. Detailed entries present sophisticated yet accessible analysis of Lincoln’s democratic ideas and policies about slavery and emancipation, the emergence of the Republican Party, how Lincoln viewed the Civil War and how the war affected him, the major and minor figures in his life, and much, much more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780872894860
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	10/15/2008
Edition description:	Revised ed.
Pages:	607
Product dimensions:	7.25(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Martin J. Hershock is Associate Professor and Department Chair of History at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and the author of The Paradox of Progress: Economic Change, Individual Enterprise, and Political Culture in Michigan.

Paul Finkelman Chancellor of Gratz College and the author of more than twenty books including the Library of Congress Civil War Desk Reference.

Editorial Reviews

This volume was released to coincide with the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth and was designed to address political aspects of his decisions and legacy. Finkelman (law & public policy, Albany Law Sch.) and Hershock (history, Univ. of Michigan, Dearborn), who have both written on the history of 19th-century America, here focus on prominent individuals in Lincoln's life, significant events, and social movements. The 275 signed entries range in length from one to seven pages and include a short bibliography of suggested readings. While the focus of the volume is on Lincoln's political nature, the actual coverage of that topic in each entry varies somewhat. The biographical entries in particular seem uneven in this regard. The topical entries are more focused on Lincoln's role in or influence on the event in question.
—Ryan Johnson

Library Journal

Gr 10 Up

Well-researched entries examine all aspects of our 16th president's life and career through the perspective of politics. Biographies of key figures in Lincoln's administration and in his personal life examine how they played a part in his political development or in his presidency. Other entries cover the various events that led up to the Civil War, including the early compromise attempts by the U.S. government and the attack on Fort Sumter, as well as key events and battles of the war. Students can also read about Edward Everett and his speech before Lincoln's at Gettysburg; about the origins of the Lincoln penny and the eponymous Memorial; and the Homestead Act. There is some unevenness in writing style and quality, and there are some small factual errors. For example, the entry on Andrew Johnson talks about his early political career in "Greenville," TN; the town's name is spelled Greeneville. The black-and-white photographs and other reproductions sprinkled throughout are informative and contribute to the text. In a year in which many Lincoln reference works are published, this one will add a different dimension to reference collections, and will be particularly valuable for Advanced Placement students.-Elizabeth M. Reardon, McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN

School Library Journal