"First Among Equals"
Abraham Lincoln's Reputation During His Administration
Published on 1. April 2005
Book
Hardback
216 pages
978-0-8232-2468-5 (ISBN)
Description
One hundred and forty years after his assassination on April 14, 1865, Abraham
Lincoln towers more than ever above the landscape of American politics. In
myth and memory, he is always the Great Emancipator and savior of the Union,
second in stature only to George Washington.
But was Lincoln always so exalted?Was he, as some historians argue, a poor
President, deeply disliked, whose legacy was ennobled only by John Wilkes
Booth's bullet?
In this fascinating book, a leading historian finally takes the full measure of
Lincoln's reputation. Drawing on a remarkable range of primary documents-
speeches, newspaper accounts and editorials, private letters, memoirs, and
other sources-Hans L. Trefousse gives us the voices of Lincoln's own time. From
North and South, at home and abroad, here are politicians and ordinary people,
soldiers and statesmen, abolitionists and slaveholders alike, in a rich chorus of
American opinion. The result is a masterly portrait of Lincoln the President in
the eyes of his fellow Americans.
Lincoln towers more than ever above the landscape of American politics. In
myth and memory, he is always the Great Emancipator and savior of the Union,
second in stature only to George Washington.
But was Lincoln always so exalted?Was he, as some historians argue, a poor
President, deeply disliked, whose legacy was ennobled only by John Wilkes
Booth's bullet?
In this fascinating book, a leading historian finally takes the full measure of
Lincoln's reputation. Drawing on a remarkable range of primary documents-
speeches, newspaper accounts and editorials, private letters, memoirs, and
other sources-Hans L. Trefousse gives us the voices of Lincoln's own time. From
North and South, at home and abroad, here are politicians and ordinary people,
soldiers and statesmen, abolitionists and slaveholders alike, in a rich chorus of
American opinion. The result is a masterly portrait of Lincoln the President in
the eyes of his fellow Americans.
Reviews / Votes
"Trefousse's thesis is convincing and a welcome corrective to the notion that in a perverse sort of way, it was John Wilkes Booth who finally caused Americans to appreciate the sixteenth president...essential reading for anyone who sees to understand how Lincoln was viewed by his contemporaries." -Journal of American History "An important addition to scholarship on nineteenth-century America." -Journal of Southern History "...this slim volume with its analytical bite makes a nice companion to Herbert Mitgang's 1956 broad-ranging collection of newspaper excerpts, Lincoln as They Saw Him (reprinted in 1971 as Abraham Lincoln: A Press Portrait). -American Historical Review "Consulting an impressive body of evidence that includes domestic and foreign newspapers, public and private papers, diaries, editorials, foreign correspondence, letters from common soldiers and officers, and appraisals of European elites, Trefousse's effort will stand out amid the seemingly endless treatments of the iconic Civil War president." -The HistorianMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
508 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8232-2468-5 (9780823224685)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Hans Trefousse (1921-2010) was Distinguished Professor of History at Brooklyn College and at the Graduate Center, of the City University of New York.