The President and the Freedom Fighter: Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and Their Battle to Save America's Soul
- Downloads：2178
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-12-06 17:21:13
- Update Date：2025-09-07
- Status：finish
- Author：Brian Kilmeade
- ISBN：B091S2V4Y3
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
Reviews
Jeanette
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Taught me。 Having read books about both primes in this copy before， I was still more informed here to intersect and consequence。 Especially upon the John Brown events over time until his hanging occurred。So many Lincoln tomes！ Just my opinion but I do believe he was far more a pragmatist and also practical application savvy then most made him out to be。 Now and then。 Douglass， even into his aged periods is immensely interesting。 And also practical。 I disagree with posts claiming bias or relation Taught me。 Having read books about both primes in this copy before， I was still more informed here to intersect and consequence。 Especially upon the John Brown events over time until his hanging occurred。So many Lincoln tomes！ Just my opinion but I do believe he was far more a pragmatist and also practical application savvy then most made him out to be。 Now and then。 Douglass， even into his aged periods is immensely interesting。 And also practical。 I disagree with posts claiming bias or relationship slant。 You do not have to meet with individuals dozens of times to secure lasting bonds and affinities。 Especially upon this scale of visibility or celeb public status。 。。。more
J。L。 Askew
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In this book Kilmeade set himself the difficult task of telling a story told many times over， trying to do so in a new and interesting way。 The number of books on Lincoln and the Civil War are legion and attempting another on the subject should not be taken lightly。There seems only a couple of ways for such a book to work。 One would be if the project were written in stunning and exquisite prose， a voice so original the story would look new。 The other would be to give the subject a new twist with In this book Kilmeade set himself the difficult task of telling a story told many times over， trying to do so in a new and interesting way。 The number of books on Lincoln and the Civil War are legion and attempting another on the subject should not be taken lightly。There seems only a couple of ways for such a book to work。 One would be if the project were written in stunning and exquisite prose， a voice so original the story would look new。 The other would be to give the subject a new twist with an attention-getting gimmick。Kilmeade chose the second tack， intertwining the stories of President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist Frederick Douglass in a joint “battle to save America’s soul。” The quote is the subtitle of the work， obviously figurative， a theme the author tries to fit to the facts， but in the end comes across as merely pretentious。 The allusion to religion is not unintentional。 The two main characters are portrayed almost as saints who “steered America through this moral crisis [Civil War]” and are credited with a shared “commitment to the Constitution”， together they would “help America live up to its values”， and again， they were “determined to make the grand democratic experiment live up to its values。” All this from the book flap and preamble。 You can see where this is going。The oft-told story of Lincoln is presented with comparison and contrast to that of Douglass， a lesser-known figure。 Born in slavery as Frederick Bailey and enduring the worst sufferings of bondage， he escaped， changed his name and went on to become a radical abolitionist。 Douglas is entirely sympathetic and like the other main character， a self-made man， but unlike Lincoln， he was not a power-driven politician。The book is structured in a series of alternating vignettes of Lincoln and Douglass， showing them progress on the national stage through the turmoil of Civil War toward their individual fates。 The narrative is interspersed with pivotal events leading up to the war such as the attack on the federal armory at Harpers Ferry。 The author describes raider John Brown in sympathetic terms although Douglass himself thought Brown a madman。 While a U。S。 marine and several civilians died in that attack， the assault is justified in the name of abolitionism。In what historians consider the war’s beginning， the Confederate firing on Fort Sumter， no one is killed， yet the author is one-sided explaining it。 This lack of balance appears throughout the book。 Early on， Kilmeade describes the Confederacy as an “illegal rebel conclave”， frequently claiming the South was in “rebellion” for leaving the Union， although before the war secession was considered a right by many states， north and south。Occasionally the author gives perspective， for example， citing Lincoln’s statement: “It is a war for a great national object and the Negro has nothing to do with it。” Such insights are rare in a book declaring the conflict “the war to abolish slavery”。 Indeed， this was the aim of the radical abolitionists who had called for the country’s destruction if this would end Black bondage。At first glance Lincoln’s quote appears contrary to the Emancipation Proclamation until the reader understands the edit was meant as a war measure to undermine the South， many hoping it would foment servile insurrection。 The claim the war was over slavery has been around since hostilities ended at Appomattox。 Many historians have refuted the argument and one of the best is the small book of lectures on the American Civil War by Italian academic Raimondo Luraghi。 Lecture three is a brilliant explanation for the causes of the war， arguing the South saw itself headed toward becoming a colony of the North and left the Union over principle。 Popular historian Thomas Fleming says something similar in his book “Disease of the Public Mind。” Fleming asks why the United States， among all slaveholding countries， went to war to end what other nations abolished peaceably。 America’s war had to have been about more than slavery。At worst， Kilmeade’s book is another iteration of the “it’s all about slavery” genre and at best it is an unbalanced account meshing the stories of two towering figures in the Civil War。 For readers new to the subject， Shelby Foote’s magisterial trilogy is highly recommended。 。。。more
Kerri
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This is a very well written account of two great men in our Nation’s history。 Coming from two very different beginnings they each played an important part in saving the Unites States from itself。 Anyone interested in American history， and the Civil War specifically， would enjoy this book。 I am so glad my daughter gifted me this book for my birthday。
carol riels
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Mr。 Kilmeade， did it again！Great read， could not put the book down。 Anyone who enjoys reading history will find there is so much more about Lincoln and Douglass ， their human side ， their struggles。 I liked the way the author showed how their lives were intertwined。 Most importantly how two strong individuals can come together and make it happen！ The big thing I took away from this book is our country needs to get back to basics， where our government works together。 I can only imagine where we w Mr。 Kilmeade， did it again！Great read， could not put the book down。 Anyone who enjoys reading history will find there is so much more about Lincoln and Douglass ， their human side ， their struggles。 I liked the way the author showed how their lives were intertwined。 Most importantly how two strong individuals can come together and make it happen！ The big thing I took away from this book is our country needs to get back to basics， where our government works together。 I can only imagine where we would be today！ 。。。more
Laura
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If anyone wants an ebook copy， it's on: ebooklub。shop If anyone wants an ebook copy， it's on: ebooklub。shop 。。。more
Everydayreader1
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"The President and the Freedom Fighter: Abraham Lincoln， Frederick Douglass， and Their Battle to Save America's Soul" was an educational and enjoyable read。 I learned several things about each man I did not know before reading this book。 Both men were complex， and both evolved as people and their beliefs changed to become more inclusive。 It is good to have this record from a historical context， and I'm glad I took the time to read this book。 "The President and the Freedom Fighter: Abraham Lincoln， Frederick Douglass， and Their Battle to Save America's Soul" was an educational and enjoyable read。 I learned several things about each man I did not know before reading this book。 Both men were complex， and both evolved as people and their beliefs changed to become more inclusive。 It is good to have this record from a historical context， and I'm glad I took the time to read this book。 。。。more
Angela Liebel
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well written accountI really enjoyed Brian book about Frederick Douglass。 Learned much that I did not know。 I am going to get some of his books。
Robert Vincent
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This book was well written and gave me insights on the title character’s relationship both political and personal。 They became friends in the progression of the slavery controversy and the scourge of the Civil War。 And that friendship development from skepticism on the part of Douglass and the reluctance on the part of Lincoln evolved into respect and appreciation on the part of both men。 This was an account of the sensitive interactions of duel biographical histories。Here are two quotes cited b This book was well written and gave me insights on the title character’s relationship both political and personal。 They became friends in the progression of the slavery controversy and the scourge of the Civil War。 And that friendship development from skepticism on the part of Douglass and the reluctance on the part of Lincoln evolved into respect and appreciation on the part of both men。 This was an account of the sensitive interactions of duel biographical histories。Here are two quotes cited by the author from each， Lincoln about Douglass and Douglass about Lincoln that headed each of two of the latter chapters:“（Douglass is） one of the most meritorious men in America”—Abraham Lincoln“The best man， truest patriot， and wisest statesman of his time and country… （Mr。 Lincoln’s） name should never be spoken but with reverence， gratitude， and affection”—Frederic DouglassThe book also gave a beautifully compressed history of the Civil War and the President’s and Freedom Fighter’s conduct during the conflict。 This was a great review for me as the battles and other events were succinctly described。Author， Brian Kilmeade summarizes the impact of these men in my estimation， in a single short paragraph of in the Epilogue:“The fault lines of the Civil War era threw Douglass and Lincoln together。 When needed the most， these two unlikely people appeared on the scene… each of them born with nothing。 They were underdogs who somehow rose to become national figures at a time of crisis。 Like other American saviors， Lincoln and Douglass would transcend their era， standing taller than their contemporaries。”And as for today: “By the end of the twentieth century， Lincoln came off his pedestal and Douglass rose from obscurity。 Today these two good men once again occupy a shared space in the ongoing story of the American experiment。”I recommend this read for all interested in American history， personal relationships that helped define America and for those just interested in a very good read about real people in an accurate context。 This book is to be commended for it’s truth as a well-researched writing。 。。。more
Porter Broyles
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I don't know how another Kilmeade book ended up on my to be read list， but when it auto checked out from the library I listened to it。I'll be honest， I have never really enjoyed any of Kilmeade's books。 He has a knack of writing books with captivating titles， but the books leave me disappointed。Kilmeade is a Fox Opinion talking head。 With every book， I can't help but feel his political bias seeping into the book。 This bias was not as bad with this book as it has been with others， but it is still I don't know how another Kilmeade book ended up on my to be read list， but when it auto checked out from the library I listened to it。I'll be honest， I have never really enjoyed any of Kilmeade's books。 He has a knack of writing books with captivating titles， but the books leave me disappointed。Kilmeade is a Fox Opinion talking head。 With every book， I can't help but feel his political bias seeping into the book。 This bias was not as bad with this book as it has been with others， but it is still there。With every book， Kilmeade reads the book himself。 Listening to Kilmeade is exhausting。 The man seems to be on a caffeine high。Still， this was one of his better books。。。。 。。。more
Andrea Engle
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This spectacular dual biography focuses on the lives of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass … it describes in detail Lincoln’s evolving opinion of slavery and racism， and the causes and aims of the American Civil War … the sub-title says it all: “… Their Battle to Save America’s Soul。” … superb …Similar Works: by Brian Kilmeade （no photo） by James McBride by Jon Meacham This spectacular dual biography focuses on the lives of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass … it describes in detail Lincoln’s evolving opinion of slavery and racism， and the causes and aims of the American Civil War … the sub-title says it all: “… Their Battle to Save America’s Soul。” … superb …Similar Works: by Brian Kilmeade （no photo） by James McBride by Jon Meacham 。。。more
Juliana Moore
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Very good。 I learned a lot。
John
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It’s an OK book; seemed to drag on at times。
Sheila McCarthy
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Meh 。。。 The writing is not engaging。 For two men who met three times in their lives， the author really has to stretch to make a connection。 No new ground covered on Lincoln but as someone who knew little about Douglass， I appreciated the brief bio。 P。S。 The Mississippi does not flow by Alton， Indiana， （if there is such a place） but does flow by Alton， Illinois， where Elijah Lovejoy lived。
Eileen Quilici
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Insightful and compelling History creates opportunity for individuals to work off the accomplishments of others to maximize the impact of events。 Brian Limeade ties the lives and events and impacts of these 2 iconic historical figures。
James A
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steady read， good historical account While not flashy， this is an interesting read with a another good insight on the civil war era。 The two men intersect at a time to shape history。
John Landes
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Great book！ Kilmeade’s are all packed full of history and easy reads。 Well done。
John Baker
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3-1/2⭐️ Book。 A general outline of the lives of and some intersections between Lincoln and Douglas。 As such some aspects are left out for both men。 Well written。
Daniel Carroll
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This is the true history of Lincoln， Douglass and that time。 Forget crt and the rest learn real American history。 A great book。
Brendan Hughes
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Outstanding dual biography of Lincoln and Douglass that I would recommend to anyone。The author was able to highlight a lot of the important points in a succinct manner and the writing style was high quality。
Jeimy
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This is a good book， but the title made me think that it was going to be more about how they worked together， but it wasn't The book just offers parallel tracks that show how both of these influential people came of age and came to fame。 This is a good book， but the title made me think that it was going to be more about how they worked together， but it wasn't The book just offers parallel tracks that show how both of these influential people came of age and came to fame。 。。。more
Gail
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Brian Kilmeade is a wonderful writer。 I could not put the book down。 Two magnificent men aiming for the same goal， abolish slaveryBoth men without formal education but inherently extremely smart changed our country。I highly recommend Mr Kilmeade's books for children， too。Bravo Brian Kilmeade is a wonderful writer。 I could not put the book down。 Two magnificent men aiming for the same goal， abolish slaveryBoth men without formal education but inherently extremely smart changed our country。I highly recommend Mr Kilmeade's books for children， too。Bravo 。。。more
David W。
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Definitely a five star book。This book provides a wonderful in site into the lives and thinking of Lincoln and Douglas and their relationship。 Lincoln has long been a hero of mine， and I now recognize Douglas as also being a great man。
Ron Ross
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The President and the Freedom Fighter is a narrative about President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass。 The author gives a thought-provoking path of the lives of two men that spent their entire lifetimes to improve the existences of all Americans。 This is a good book to show the friendship of these two men that has had little information recorded。 If you have read a few books about Abraham Lincoln， you may recognize some of the material from other sources。 Lincoln has had several thousand v The President and the Freedom Fighter is a narrative about President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass。 The author gives a thought-provoking path of the lives of two men that spent their entire lifetimes to improve the existences of all Americans。 This is a good book to show the friendship of these two men that has had little information recorded。 If you have read a few books about Abraham Lincoln， you may recognize some of the material from other sources。 Lincoln has had several thousand volumes written on his life and with his assassination ending his life a bit too soon exalting his remembrance to lofty hero status。 Even though Douglass lived another 30 years to complete his life work， he missed out on this hero worshiping and until the last 40-50 years little has been published on his life。 If you are looking for a book to learn about these two men this is a good start， I would suggest David Blight’s book on Douglas as one of the best comprehensive books to continue your understanding of his life。 As for Lincoln you have a great deal to choose to include volumes， but to choose just one book on Lincoln I would suggest either David Donald’s or Ronald White’s manuscripts both are very rewarding。 Mr。 Kilmeade’s book is a great addition to anyone that is an enthusiast of the lives of both Lincoln and Douglass。 。。。more
Joyce Schiff
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Very interesting。。 Lincoln's main objective was to say the nation not free the slaves。 That came as a result of the circumstances。。。。 Very interesting。。 Lincoln's main objective was to say the nation not free the slaves。 That came as a result of the circumstances。。。。 。。。more
Tom
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A dual biography that， like David Margolick's The Promise and the Dream: The Untold Story of Martin Luther King， Jr。 And Robert F。 Kennedy， synthesises the lives of two great Americans during a time of national upheaval， The President and the Freedom Fighter follows Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass from their childhoods through to the end of the Civil War， unearthing the similarities and differences in their experiences and character that informed an essential， if not always positive r A dual biography that， like David Margolick's The Promise and the Dream: The Untold Story of Martin Luther King， Jr。 And Robert F。 Kennedy， synthesises the lives of two great Americans during a time of national upheaval， The President and the Freedom Fighter follows Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass from their childhoods through to the end of the Civil War， unearthing the similarities and differences in their experiences and character that informed an essential， if not always positive relationship。 Being a popular history book that serves more as an introduction to Civil War politics than anything approaching in-depth analysis of the Lincoln/Douglass story， the book at times feels vague and underdeveloped when compared to Margolick's aforementioned The Promise and the Dream （which was probably helped by the MLK/RFK relationship being more substantial than Lincoln/Douglass） or any of the seminal works of Civil War history。 Still， The President and the Freedom Fighter effectively portrays the evolution in both Lincoln and Douglass' thinking and makes a strong argument that Douglass' role in the late 19th century political discourse deserves greater acclaim。 。。。more
Tim Lock
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A much needed bookThere has been much written of President Lincoln but relatively little about Fredrick Douglass。 I learned a lot about both in this impressive book
Frank
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This excellent book discusses two people who were instrumental in ending slavery in America: Abraham Lincoln and black abolitionist Frederick Douglass。Douglass was an escaped slave and eventually became a well-known orator who traveled the country and the world speaking out against the evils of slavery based on personal experience。 He had the actual scars to show what being a slave was like。 Douglass founded newspapers that advocated for freedom for African Americans。 When the original thirteen This excellent book discusses two people who were instrumental in ending slavery in America: Abraham Lincoln and black abolitionist Frederick Douglass。Douglass was an escaped slave and eventually became a well-known orator who traveled the country and the world speaking out against the evils of slavery based on personal experience。 He had the actual scars to show what being a slave was like。 Douglass founded newspapers that advocated for freedom for African Americans。 When the original thirteen colonies first organized into the United States， some states had relatively few slaves but other states held many， with some state economies heavily dependent upon slave labor。 Some of the Founders were morally opposed to slavery but did not advocate for universal freedom at that time lest some states withdraw from the union， making it more difficult to defeat the British and establish a new nation。So the evil of slavery persisted， with the tension between free and slave states increasing over time， eventually leading to a conflict that the Founders’ inaction did not prevent， just merely postponed for several decades。As more states were created due to the Mississippi Purchase and westward expansion， each state chose whether it would be free or slave。 By 1840’s and 1850’s， abolitionist sentiment was growing in some areas， although some states were as committed as ever to slavery。Although the ex-slave， Douglass was always opposed to slavery and advocated for its end， Lincoln’s views changed over time。 The Illinois lawyer， politician and future president rose from humble beginnings and established a reputation of hard work and honesty。Lincoln was morally opposed to slavery but did not pursue its cessation。 After he became president， several southern states broke away from the Union， with a few more eventually seceding。 The chief executive felt he needed to tread carefully， lest even more states join the Confederacy。When emancipation came， it happened in stages。 Lincoln gave General John Fremont autonomy over the new state of Missouri。 But when Fremont issued an emancipation proclamation for that state， Lincoln ordered him to rescind it。 Eventually， the slaves in Washington， DC were freed。 The president gradually realized the Civil War was about slavery and that the slaves needed to be freed。 He issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863。 Lincoln also realized the need to allow black men to enter the Union Army and fight for their own freedom。 Enough blacks joined the cause to help the Union eventually win。Despite the slaves having been freed in 1863， the word did not reach the slaves in Texas until June 19， 1865， more than two years after the Emancipation was issued。Lincoln and Douglass ended up working for the same end。 They met a few times and talked at length。 They did not always agree on specifics， but they seemed to respect one another。 Barely had the Union won the war when a pro-slavery actor named John Wilkes Booth assassinated Lincoln。Despite the loss of about three quarters of a million lives in the Civil War， in its aftermath many of the hard-fought freedoms for African Americans were eventually lost。 The terrible Jim Crow era arrived and it was a lifetime later before the U。S。 began to again make progress toward civil rights in the 1960’s。This is the fifth Brian Kilmeade book on American history that I’ve read。 They’ve all been very readable and informative。 。。。more
Kim
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I learned a lot from this book。 I didn’t realize that Lincoln did not believe blacks were equal to whites nor did he have abolition of slavery in mind at the start of the of the Civil War。 These ideas developed over time as the war progressed。
Mike
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The “President and Freedom Fighter” provides an outstanding perspective of two great Americans。 The writing is fast pace and page turning as we are presented with interesting and informative aspects of these giants’ and their respective contributions in shaping the future of the United States of America。 Experienced as an Audio book。
Nathan Kwandras
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