Differ we Must : : how Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America

Locations
Call Number: Adult Book / Nonfiction / Biography / Political Figures / Lincoln, Abraham, 921 Lincoln, Abraham
On Shelf At: Westgate Branch

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Westgate Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Nonfiction / Biography / Political Figures / Lincoln, Abraham	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	921 Lincoln, Abraham	4-week checkout	Due 05-12-2024
Malletts Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Nonfiction / Biography / Political Figures / Lincoln, Abraham	4-week checkout	Due 04-22-2024
Pittsfield Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Nonfiction / Biography / Political Figures / Lincoln, Abraham	4-week checkout	Due 05-19-2024
Traverwood Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Nonfiction / Biography / Political Figures / Lincoln, Abraham	4-week checkout	Due 05-22-2024

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.
"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.

REVIEWS & SUMMARIES

Publishers Weekly Review
Summary / Annotation
Excerpt
Author Notes

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

No community reviews. Write one below!