After four years of unspeakable horror and sacrifice on both sides, the Civil War was about to end. On March 4, 1865, at his second inauguration, President Lincoln did not offer the North the victory speech it yearned for; nor did he blame the South solely for the sin of slavery. Calling the whole nation to account, Lincoln offered a moral framework for peace and reconciliation. Eventually this “with malice toward none” address would be accepted and revered as one of the greatest in the nation’s history.
White’s compelling description of Lincoln’s articulation of our nation’s struggle and the suffering of all—North, South, soldier, slave—offers new insight into Lincoln’s own hard-won victory over doubt and his promise of authority and passion. Delivered only weeks before his assassination, the speech was the culmination of Lincoln’s moral and rhetorical genius.
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"Excellent book! I really enjoyed reading it after I finished White's 'A. Lincoln' - it was a great companion, and not repetative at all. White gives us a great glimpse into what made Lincoln Lincoln, and the journey he traveled to get there. What a phenominal speech, and truly wonderful book!" — Ryan (5 out of 5 stars)
"Excellent book! I really enjoyed reading it after I finished White's 'A. Lincoln' - it was a great companion, and not repetative at all. White gives us a great glimpse into what made Lincoln Lincoln, and the journey he traveled to get there. What a phenominal speech, and truly wonderful book!"
“This excellent book is carefully and clearly read by Raymond Todd…Todd is respectful in his narration, using an appropriate tone throughout…[H]is interpretation carries the reader along for a fascinating story about a very important and very short speech.”
“Well researched, wonderfully written, and at times extraordinarily moving, White’s small volume comes closer to finding the true spirit of Abraham Lincoln than many of the more celebrated biographies.”
" Good, well written and interesting. Raised my insight into President Lincoln to a new level. "
" Excellent research on Lincoln's 2nd inaugural address in 1865. In my personal view his 2nd address surpasses the Gettysburg Address, which is saying a lot. "
" White suggests how Lincoln's train of thought progresses, and matures throughout his life, and the war, and how that progression culminate into his final address. I highly enjoyed it. "
" This is a fascinating look at Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address - it puts it into perspective in many ways, and shows how it still applies today. "
" One of the most inspiring books that I've ever read! "
" So far this is a good book. However, I find it hard to believe that anyone truly understood what Lincoln exactly meant by the words he used in any of his speeches. None the less it is good to read insight on what an eloquent speaker he was. "
" awesome ... for every history buff "
" My son Nathaniel was supposed to read this book so I downloded it to my kindle. I really enjoyed it. Great breakdown of Lincoln's speech and what he was trying to communicate. Lincoln was a master communicator and thinker. "
" If only current politicians could write then own speeches so well. "
Ronald C. White Jr. is the author and editor of five books on American intellectual, religious, and social history. He has taught at Colorado College, Whitworth College, Princeton Theological Seminary, and UCLA. He is currently dean and professor of American religious history at San Francisco Theological Seminary. He lives in San Anselmo and La Canada, California.
Raymond Todd is an actor and director in the theater as well as a poet and documentary filmmaker. He plays jazz trombone for the Leatherstocking quartet, an ensemble that gets its name from one of his favorite Blackstone narrations, The Deerslayer. Todd lives in New York.
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