Differ we must : how Lincoln succeeded in a divided America / Steve Inskeep.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Inskeep, Steve, author.

Contributor:

Sylvia W. Kauders Fund.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865--Political and social views.

Lincoln, Abraham.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865--Friends and associates.

Presidents--United States--Biography.

Presidents.

Political leadership--United States--History--19th century.

Political leadership.

United States--Politics and government--1849-1877.

United States.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865.

Friendship.

Political and social views.

Politics and government.

Genre:

Biographies.

History.

Physical Description:

xviii, 331 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm

Other Title:

How Lincoln succeeded in a divided America

Place of Publication:

New York : Penguin Press, 2023.

Summary:

"From journalist and historian Steve Inskeep, a compelling and nuanced exploration of the political acumen of Abraham Lincoln via sixteen encounters before and during his presidency, bringing to light not only the strategy of a great politician who inherited a country divided, but lessons for our own disorderly present. In 1855, as the United States found itself at odds over the issue of slavery, then lawyer Abraham Lincoln composed a note on the matter to his close friend, the heir to a slaveholding family in the South. Lincoln--who was morally against the institution of slavery--rebuked his friend for his opposing views, he lectured him, he challenged him. But in the end, he wrote: "If for this you and I must differ, differ we must." Throughout his life and political career, Lincoln often agreed to disagree. Democracy demanded it--even an adversary had a vote. The man who went on to become the sixteenth president of the United States has assumed many roles in our historical consciousness, but most notable is that he was, with no apology, a politician. And as Steve Inskeep argues, it was because he was willing to engage in politics--to work with his critics, to compromise with those whom he deeply opposed, and to move only as fast as voters would allow--that he was able to lead a social revolution. In DIFFER WE MUST, Inskeep illuminates this master politician's life through sixteen encounters. Some of these meetings are well known, and others more obscure, but all take on new significance when examined in detail. Each interaction was with a person who differed from Lincoln, and in each someone wanted something from the other. While it isn't clear if Lincoln was able to alter his critics' beliefs--many went to war against him--nor if they were able to change his, what is notable is that he learned how to make his beliefs actionable, via precise and practical techniques. Lincoln was a skilled storyteller, and a great orator. He told jokes, he relied on sarcasm, and often made fun of himself. But behind the banter was a master storyteller, who carefully chose what to say and what to withhold. He knew his limitations and, as history came to prove, he knew how to prioritize. As the host of NPR's Morning Edition for almost two decades, Inskeep has mastered the art of bridging divides and building constructive debate in interviews; in DIFFER WE MUST, he brings his skills to bear on a prior master and in doing so forms a fresh and compelling narrative of Lincoln's life. With rich detail and enlightening commentary, Inskeep expands our understanding of a politician who held strong to his moral compass while navigating between corrosive political factions, one who began his career in the minority party and not only won the majority, but succeeded in uniting a nation"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Protagonist : Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1846

Provocateur : Joshua Giddings, January 8, 1849

Partisan : Judge Douglas, October 4, 1854

Extremist : Owen Lovejoy, May 29, 1856

Nativist : Joseph Gillespie, September 12, 1858

Fixer : Thurlow Weed, May 24, 1860

Conspiracy Theorist : Duff Green, December 28, 1860

Outcast : William Florville, Late 1860

Editor : William Henry Seward, February 23, 1861

Emissary : Jessie Benton Frémont, September 10, 1861

Strategist : George McClellan, September 2, 1862

Sovereign : Lean Bear, March 27, 1863

Dissident : George H. Pendleton, June 25, 1863

Activist : Frederick Douglass, August 10, 1863

Soldier : Mary Ellen Wise, September 1864

Justice : John A. Campbell, April 4, 1865

First Lady : Mary Todd Lincoln, April 14, 1865.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 263-316) and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Sylvia W. Kauders Fund.

ISBN:

9780593297865

0593297865

OCLC:

1360274333

Publisher Number:

99994691525