Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings Vol. 1 1832-1858 (LOA #45)

Description

Abraham Lincoln measured the promise-and cost-of Americanfreedom in lucid and extraordinarily moving prose, famousfor its native wit, simple dignity of expressions, and peculiarlyAmerican flavor. This volume, with its companion, Abraham Lincoln- Speeches and Writing1859-1865, comprises the most comprehensive selection everpublished. over 240 speeches, letters, and drafts take Lincolnfrom rural law practice to national prominence, and chart hisemergence as an eloquent antislavery advocate and defender ofthe constitution. included are the complete Lincoln-Douglasdebates, perhaps the most famous confrontation in Americanpolitical history. LIBRARY OF AMERICAis an independent nonprofit cultural organization founded in 1979 to preserve our nation's literary heritage by publishing, and keeping permanently in print, America's best and most significant writing. The Library of America series includes more than 300 volumes to date, authoritative editions that average 1,000 pages in length, feature cloth covers, sewn bindings, and ribbon markers, and are printed on premium acid-free paper that will last for centuries.

Abraham Lincoln(1809-1865) was the sixteenth president of the United States, guiding the nation through the Civil War before becoming one of its final vicitims, assasinated at Ford's Theater in Washington on April 15, 1865, less than a week after the surrender of the Confederate army at Appomattox. Don E. Fehrenbacher(1920-1997) was professor of history at Stanford University. He was the author of several books, includingPrelude to Greatness- Lincoln in the 1850's,The Dred Scott Case- Its Significance in American Law and Politics, andLincoln in Text and Context.

"The Library of America in its reissue of American literary classics...has been the most satisfying (and, I suspect, the most lasting) publishing event of my lifetime. The two volumes of Lincoln's complete writings, superbly edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher, ... are the capstone of this splendid continuing series." -Alfred Kazin, The New York Times Book Review