Lincoln and His World: Prairie Politician, 1834-1842
672
Lincoln and His World: Prairie Politician, 1834-1842
672eBook
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Overview
• Firsthand sources create an authentic portrait
In the second volume of this monumental Lincoln biography, the young Illinois politician is challenged by Stephen Douglas--brilliant organizer of the Illinois Democratic Party, perennial officeholder and candidate, and unscrupulous when publicly debating Lincoln. Lincoln and his fellow Whigs go on the attack as Democrats split into two factions.
Rhetorical violence becomes physical as Whig mobs attack and politicians attempt murder. Lincoln publicly asks whether democracy can endure under such conditions. Yet Lincoln more than once takes politically unpopular stances condemning slavery and defending rights of free blacks in Illinois.
The second volume of Lincoln and His World also explores Lincoln's private life: his romances with Ann Rutledge and wealthy plantation belle Mary Owens, his intimate friendship with Joshua Speed, and a stormy, loving relationship with the vivacious and passionate Mary Todd.
Rather than concentrate on how Lincoln affected the world, author Richard Lawrence Miller shows how the world affected Lincoln, placing Lincoln in historical context to help readers to understand him. Presenting numerous firsthand recollections, Miller lets participants speak for themselves, an approach reflecting his years in public radio script writing.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780811749565 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Stackpole Books |
| Publication date: | 07/28/2008 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 672 |
| File size: | 1 MB |
About the Author
What People are Saying About This
"Based on very extensive research, this book brings to light a startling array of fresh information about one of the least understood periods in the life of Abraham Lincoln, his years as an Illinois legislator, 1834-42. As these were also the years in which he transformed himself from an uneducated storekeeper to a successful lawyer and politician, was involved in several courtships, battled severe depression, and finally married a stylish Kentucky belle, the new details that Richard Lawrence Miller's book provides help to fill out the picture of important facets of Lincoln's career."--(Douglas L. Wilson, author of Lincoln's Sword)
"The great strength of this book is Miller's wide and deep reading of the primary printed sources of the period. He provides new information and insights on this formative period of Lincoln's political development."--(Thomas F. Schwartz, Ph.D., Illinois State Historian)
"Richard Lawrence Miller does a superb job of resurrecting the Lincoln who was a young, fledgling Whig politician and member of the Illinois State Legislature. Miller's prose is engrossing, and his historical analysis unfailingly sound. No one interested in Abraham Lincoln will want to pass up this masterful study of the man as a brilliant politico in the making."--(Edward J. Renehan Jr., author of Commodore: The Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt)
"A thoroughly researched, lively portrait of Abraham Lincoln's early years as an up-and-coming Illinois politician. Miller displays a discerning eye for detail and a welcome appreciation for the context of Lincoln's times. Lincoln and His World is not only a welcome addition to the literature on Lincoln; it is also a fascinating study of local politics in antebellum America."--(Brian Dirck, author of Lincoln the Lawyer)
"Prairie Politician: 1834-1842 is Richard Lawrence Miller's subtitle for the second volume of his outstanding series entitled Lincoln and His World which began in 2006. This one, likewise, is a masterpiece of original research in which the talented author places Abraham Lincoln in his surroundings to illustrate how outside events influenced his remarkable life and not the other way around. A unique feature of this study consists of interspersing throughout the entire book legal notices offering rewards for runaway slaves. Lincoln certainly felt great sorrow for these poor creatures as he "skirmished" with numerous newspapers. Even the general public will greatly enjoy this book."--(Wayne C. Temple, author of Abraham Lincoln: From Skeptic to Prophet)