The Eloquent President: A Portrait of Lincoln Through His WordsThe fact that Abraham Lincoln is now universally recognized as America’s greatest political orator would have surprised many of the citizens who voted him into office. Ungainly in stature and awkward in manner, the newly elected Lincoln was considered a Western stump speaker and debater devoid of rhetorical polish. Then, after the outbreak of the Civil War, he stood before the nation to deliver his Message to Congress in Special Session on July 4, 1861, and, as a contemporary editor put it, “some of us who doubted were wrong.” In The Eloquent President, historian Ronald White examines Lincoln’s astonishing oratory and explores his growth as a leader, a communicator, and a man of deepening spiritual conviction. Examining a different speech, address, or public letter in each chapter, White tracks the evolution of Lincoln’s rhetoric from the measured, lawyerly tones of the First Inaugural, to the imaginative daring of the 1862 Annual Message to Congress, to the haunting, immortal poetry of the Gettysburg Address. As a speaker who appealed not to intellect alone, but also to the hearts and souls of citizens, Lincoln persuaded the nation to follow him during the darkest years of the Civil War. Through the speeches and what surrounded them–the great battles and political crises, the president’s private anguish and despair, the impact of his words on the public, the press, and the nation at war–we see the full sweep and meaning of the Lincoln presidency. As he weighs the biblical cadences and vigorous parallel structures that make Lincoln’s rhetoric soar, White identifies a passionate religious strain that most historians have overlooked. It is White’s contention that as president Lincoln not only grew into an inspiring leader and determined commander in chief, but also embarked on a spiritual odyssey that led to a profound understanding of the relationship between human action and divine will. Brilliantly written, boldly original in conception, The Eloquent President blends history, biography, and a deep intuitive appreciation for the quality of Lincoln’s extraordinary mind. With grace and insight, White captures the essence of the four most critical years of Lincoln’s life and makes the great words live for our time in all their power and beauty. |
From inside the book
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... White Jr.'s illuminating take on Lincoln's words . Happily , you don't have to choose .... The material ( Lincoln's and White's ) is rich , and the research , analysis and writing ( White's ) top - drawer . " -The Sunday Oregonian ...
... White Jr.'s illuminating take on Lincoln's words . Happily , you don't have to choose .... The material ( Lincoln's and White's ) is rich , and the research , analysis and writing ( White's ) top - drawer . " -The Sunday Oregonian ...
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A Portrait of Lincoln Through His Words Ronald C. White. " More than perhaps any other president , Lincoln led and persuaded through the words of his speeches and writings . In this important book , Ronald White shows how Lincoln clothed ...
A Portrait of Lincoln Through His Words Ronald C. White. " More than perhaps any other president , Lincoln led and persuaded through the words of his speeches and writings . In this important book , Ronald White shows how Lincoln clothed ...
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A Portrait of Lincoln Through His Words Ronald C. White. 1856 FEBRUARY 1858 JUNE 16 NOVEMBER 6 FEBRUARY II FEBRUARY 11-23 APRIL 12-13 APRIL IS. 1809 FEBRUARY 12 1816 DECEMBER 1828 APRIL 1830 MARCH 15 1831 MARCH 1832 1832 AUGUST 6 1834 ...
A Portrait of Lincoln Through His Words Ronald C. White. 1856 FEBRUARY 1858 JUNE 16 NOVEMBER 6 FEBRUARY II FEBRUARY 11-23 APRIL 12-13 APRIL IS. 1809 FEBRUARY 12 1816 DECEMBER 1828 APRIL 1830 MARCH 15 1831 MARCH 1832 1832 AUGUST 6 1834 ...
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A Portrait of Lincoln Through His Words Ronald C. White. INDEX TO LINCOLN SPEECHES AND TEXTS 1838 Address Before the Young Men's Lyceum ( January 27 ) , 14-16 1846 Handbill Replying to Charges of Infidelity ( July 31 ) , 161 1848 Speech ...
A Portrait of Lincoln Through His Words Ronald C. White. INDEX TO LINCOLN SPEECHES AND TEXTS 1838 Address Before the Young Men's Lyceum ( January 27 ) , 14-16 1846 Handbill Replying to Charges of Infidelity ( July 31 ) , 161 1848 Speech ...
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A Portrait of Lincoln Through His Words Ronald C. White. { xviii ) 1862 1863 1864 1865 Index to Lincoln Speeches and Texts . Speech at Astor House , New York City ( February 19 ) , 51 , 324-25 Address to the New Jersey Senate ( February ...
A Portrait of Lincoln Through His Words Ronald C. White. { xviii ) 1862 1863 1864 1865 Index to Lincoln Speeches and Texts . Speech at Astor House , New York City ( February 19 ) , 51 , 324-25 Address to the New Jersey Senate ( February ...
Contents
26 | |
Epilogue | 305 |
Farewell Address at Springfield February 11 1861 | 310 |
3 | 311 |
Speeches and Remarks Train Trip from Springfield to Washington February 1123 1861 | 312 |
Appendix 3 First Inaugural Address March 4 1861 | 329 |
Message to Congress in Special Session July 4 1861 | 347 |
Appendix Abraham Lincoln to Horace Greeley August 22 1862 | 363 |
Appendix 8 Abraham Lincoln to James C Conkling Letter to the Springfield Rally August 26 1863 | 384 |
Gettysburg Address November 19 1863 | 390 |
4 | 392 |
Appendix 10 Little Speech to Albert G Hodges April 4 1864 | 393 |
Appendix 11Second Inaugural Address March 4 1865 | 397 |
Notes | 403 |
Bibliographical Essay | 422 |
Acknowledgments | 427 |
Appendix 6 Meditation on the Divine Will September 2? 1862 | 365 |
Appendix 7 Annual Message to Congress December 1 1862 | 366 |
Index | 431 |
Other editions - View all
The Eloquent President: A Portrait of Lincoln Through His Words Ronald C. White Limited preview - 2007 |
The Eloquent President: A Portrait of Lincoln Through His Words Ronald C. White No preview available - 2007 |
Common terms and phrases
Abraham Lincoln American appear army arrived asked audience authority become began beginning believed called cause changed Chicago citizens City Civil Congress Conkling Constitution continued copy crowd duty early editor election emancipation Executive expected February final force four friends Gettysburg give Greeley hand hear hope House Illinois inaugural address John July later letter living major March means meeting months never newspapers North oath offered paragraph party passed peace person political prepared present president Press printed version proclamation question received remarks reply reported Republican response rhetoric secretary Senate sentence Seward side slavery slaves soldiers South speak speech spoke Springfield suggested tion told train Tribune Union United wanted Washington White whole writing written wrote York