Exploring Lincoln: Great Historians Reappraise Our Greatest President

by Craig L. Symonds, Harold Holzer (Editor), Frank J. Williams

Overview

Ubiquitous and enigmatic, the historical Lincoln, the literary Lincoln, even the cinematic Lincoln have all proved both fascinating and irresistible. Though some 16,000 books have been written about him, there is always more to say, new aspects of his life to consider, new facets of his persona to explore. Enlightening and entertaining, Exploring Lincoln offers a selection of sixteen papers presented at the Lincoln Forum symposia over the past three years.

Shining new light on particular aspects of Lincoln and his tragically abbreviated presidency, Exploring Lincoln presents a compelling snapshot of current Lincoln scholarship and a fascinating window into understanding America's greatest president.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780823265633
Publisher:	Fordham University Press
Publication date:	03/02/2015
Series:	The North's Civil War
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

HAROLD HOLZER is Roger Hertog Fellow at the New-York Historical Society and one of the nation's leading authorities on Lincoln and the political culture of the Civil War era. He is chairman of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Foundation and has written, co-written, or edited forty-seven books, most recently Lincoln and the Power of the Press.

CRAIG L. SYMONDS is Professor Emeritus at the U.S. Naval Academy and the author of many books on Civil War and naval history. He won the Theodore and Franklin D. Roosevelt Prize in 2005, The Lincoln Prize (with James M. McPherson) in 2009, and the Dudley Knox Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Naval History in 2014.

Table of Contents

Contents

Editors' Introduction
Harold Holzer, Craig L. Symonds, and Frank J. Williams

Lincoln's Role in the 1860 Presidential Contest
William C. Harris

The Baltimore Plot-Fact or Fiction?
Michael J. Kline

The Old Army and the Seeds of Change
John F. Marszalek

Seward and Lincoln: A Second Look
Walter Stahr

Mourning in America: Death Comes to the Civil War White Houses
Catherine Clinton

Abraham Lincoln: Admiral-in-Chief
Craig L. Symonds

Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee: Reluctant Traitors
William C. Davis

The Battle Hymn of the Republic: Origins, Influence, Legacies
John Stauffer

The Emancipation of Abraham Lincoln
Eric Foner

Lincoln and the Struggle to End Slavery
Richard Striner

Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation: A Propaganda tool for the Enemy?
Amanda Foreman

The Gettysburg Campaign and the New York City Draft Riots: Conspiracy or Coincidence?
Barnet Schecter

Lincoln and New York: A Fraught Relationship
Harold Holzer

Lincoln and McClellan: A Reappraisal
John C. Waugh

Judging Lincoln as Judge
Frank J. Williams

The Madness of Mary Lincoln: A New Examination Based on the Discovery of Her Lost Insanity Letters
Jason Emerson

Notes
List of Contributors
The Lincoln Forum: A History
Index

Editorial Reviews

This collection of essays about Lincoln and the Civil War was compiled by the aforementioned Holzer, and the historians Craig LO. Symonds and Frank J. Williams. There are some absolute gems here.

Dayton Daily News

This is a veritable feast for Lincoln devotees as astute historians probe Lincoln through many perspectives, with perhaps the most thrilling account being the sensational discovery of a cache of Mary Todd Lincoln’s letters. A must-read for those who want a better understanding of the sixteenth president.

author, "They Have Killed Papa Dead!" The Road to Ford's Theatre, Abraham Lincoln's Murder, and the Rage for Vengeance - Anthony S. Pitch

The rich variety of insights and information on Lincoln and the Civil War served up in this book makes it truly a moveable feast. Some traditional interpretations are confirmed; others are challenged and new perspectives set forth; and all are of unfailing interest. This is a volume to be kept handy on your shelf and consulted again and again.

Princeton University - James McPherson

"The rich variety of insights and information on Lincoln and the Civil War served up in this book makes it truly a moveable feast. Some traditional interpretations are confirmed; others are challenged and new perspectives set forth; and all are of unfailing interest. This is a volume to be kept handy on your shelf and consulted again and again."—James McPherson, Princeton University

"This is a veritable feast for Lincoln devotees as astute historians probe Lincoln through many perspectives, with perhaps the most thrilling account being the sensational discovery of a cache of Mary Todd Lincoln's letters. A must-read for those who want a better understanding of the sixteenth president."—Anthony S. Pitch, author, "They Have Killed Papa Dead!" The Road to Ford's Theatre, Abraham Lincoln's Murder, and the Rage for Vengeance

"This collection of essays about Lincoln and the Civil War was compiled by the aforementioned Holzer, and the historians Craig LO. Symonds and Frank J. Williams. There are some absolute gems here." -Dayton Daily News

"The work offers much food for thought-not only to those fascinated by Lincoln himself but to those interested in many other aspects of the 1860s as well. Strongly recommended."-Blue & Gray Magazine

"Drawing together sixteen essays from the Lincoln Forum's recurring Gettysburg conference on the Civil War, this well-rounded volume offers the reader a glimpse of recent and emerging scholarly discussions in the crowded field of Lincoln studies."—Journal of Southern History

From the Publisher

2014-12-29
Noted historians reflect on the life and presidency of Abraham Lincoln."Thousands of works have been written about Lincoln, and almost any Lincoln you want can be found in the literature," writes contributor Eric Foner, and his contention is borne out by these recent papers from the Lincoln Forum, an annual scholarly event. Co-editors Holzer (Lincoln and the Power of the Press, 2014, etc.), Symonds (Neptune: The Allied Invasion of Europe and the D-Day Landings, 2014, etc.) and Williams (Judging Lincoln, 2002, etc.) have gathered authoritative views of Lincoln as a leader whose many facets—military strategist, savvy politician, man of exceptional character, among others—have earned him admiration as our greatest president. Contributors examine Lincoln's relationships, actions and beliefs; his views on slavery and race; and his deft politicking to win the 1860 presidential campaign. Many papers focus on issues of concern to specialists. Others will have far broader appeal: Michael J. Kline offers a detailed account of the so-called Baltimore Plot to kill the president-elect (and finds no convincing evidence for it); Barnet Schecter traces the complexities of the 1863 New York City Draft Riots, the largest civil insurrection in U.S. history (where emotions over the first federal conscription law and fears over the Emancipation Proclamation exploded in five days of arson, looting and lynching); and Jason Emerson describes his discovery of Mary Lincoln's long-lost sanitarium letters, which confirm her serious mental illness. John Stauffer tells the fascinating story of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," an anthem that began as an early-19th-century Southern camp meeting spiritual and later became the theme song for Billy Sunday's revivals. Catherine Clinton's contribution on mourning is a moving portrait of grieving mothers, many of whom turned to mediums to communicate with the dead. A thoughtful treat for the Lincoln and Civil War crowds.

Kirkus Reviews

The work offers much food for thought—not only to those fascinated by Lincoln himself but to those interested in many other aspects of the 1860s as well. Strongly recommended.

Blue & Gray Magazine

Drawing together sixteen essays from the Lincoln Forum’s recurring Gettysburg conference on the Civil War, this well-rounded volume offers the reader a glimpse of recent and emerging scholarly discussions in the crowded field of Lincoln studies.

Journal of Southern History