Lincoln President Elect Abraham Lincoln and the Great Secession Winter 1860 - 1861 by Harold Holzer 2008

Mr. Holzer is the author of some 19 books on Old Abe, one of the well known ones being Lincoln at Cooper Union

One of the things that impressed me was how Holzer describes L's reasons for not speaking up during the succession crisis during the 4 month transition before his inauguration and holding to the platform of the Republican convention, not compromising on the extension of slavery into the new territories. while some northerners were ready to give in to the South to save the Union. Also describing the train ride tour which introduced him to a large number of citizens who had never seen him, impressive for the sheer number of speeches he gave in free states, while trying to not alienate the border states over slavery. Re- shaping public opinion on the meaning of the Union, the constitution his image as a leader. How his sneaking into Washington to avoid what a real plot to kill him in Baltimore threatened to undo all of that and how he over came that. Many things I was unaware of.

Books are always cheaper on ABE BOOKS it seems than Amazon.
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