And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle
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- Author：Jon Meacham
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Summary
Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer and #1 New York Times best-selling author Jon Meacham chronicles the life and moral evolution of Abraham Lincoln and explores why and how Lincoln confronted secession， threats to democracy， and the tragedy of slavery in order to expand the possibilities of America
A president who governed a divided country has much to teach us in a twenty-first-century moment of polarization and political crisis。 Abraham Lincoln was president when implacable secessionists gave no quarter in a clash of visions inextricably bound up with money， power， race， identity， and faith。 He was hated and hailed， excoriated and revered。 In Lincoln we can see the possibilities of the presidency as well as its limitations。
At once familiar and elusive， Lincoln tends to be seen in popular minds as the greatest of American presidents—a remote icon—or as a politician driven more by calculation than by conviction。 This illuminating new portrait gives us a very human Lincoln—an imperfect man whose moral antislavery commitment was essential to the story of justice in America。 Here is the Lincoln who， as a boy， was steeped in the sermons of emancipation by Baptist preachers; who insisted that slavery was a moral evil; and who sought， as he put it， to do right as God gave him light to see the right。
This book tells the story of Lincoln from his birth on the Kentucky frontier in 1809 to his leadership during the Civil War to his tragic assassination at Ford’s Theater on Good Friday 1865: his rise， his self-education through reading， his loves， his bouts of depression， his political failures， his deepening faith， and his persistent conviction that slavery must end。 In a nation shaped by the courage of the enslaved of the era and by the brave witness of Black Americans of the nineteenth century， Lincoln’s story illuminates the ways and means of politics， the marshaling of power in a belligerent democracy， the durability of white supremacy in America， and the capacity of conscience to shape the maelstrom of events。
Lincoln was not all he might have been—few human beings ever are—but he was more than many men have ever been。 We could have done worse。 And we have。 And， as Lincoln himself would readily acknowledge， we can always do better。 But we will do so only if we see Abraham Lincoln—and ourselves—whole。
A president who governed a divided country has much to teach us in a twenty-first-century moment of polarization and political crisis。 Abraham Lincoln was president when implacable secessionists gave no quarter in a clash of visions inextricably bound up with money， power， race， identity， and faith。 He was hated and hailed， excoriated and revered。 In Lincoln we can see the possibilities of the presidency as well as its limitations。
At once familiar and elusive， Lincoln tends to be seen in popular minds as the greatest of American presidents—a remote icon—or as a politician driven more by calculation than by conviction。 This illuminating new portrait gives us a very human Lincoln—an imperfect man whose moral antislavery commitment was essential to the story of justice in America。 Here is the Lincoln who， as a boy， was steeped in the sermons of emancipation by Baptist preachers; who insisted that slavery was a moral evil; and who sought， as he put it， to do right as God gave him light to see the right。
This book tells the story of Lincoln from his birth on the Kentucky frontier in 1809 to his leadership during the Civil War to his tragic assassination at Ford’s Theater on Good Friday 1865: his rise， his self-education through reading， his loves， his bouts of depression， his political failures， his deepening faith， and his persistent conviction that slavery must end。 In a nation shaped by the courage of the enslaved of the era and by the brave witness of Black Americans of the nineteenth century， Lincoln’s story illuminates the ways and means of politics， the marshaling of power in a belligerent democracy， the durability of white supremacy in America， and the capacity of conscience to shape the maelstrom of events。
Lincoln was not all he might have been—few human beings ever are—but he was more than many men have ever been。 We could have done worse。 And we have。 And， as Lincoln himself would readily acknowledge， we can always do better。 But we will do so only if we see Abraham Lincoln—and ourselves—whole。
Reviews
Mark B
，
How many ways can Lincoln’s life be seen through different lenses。 Thanks Meacham for another portrait of the man。
Kathleen
，
There is no shortage of biographies of Abraham Lincoln （and I have read my share of them）。 Jon Meacham’s richly researched account will undoubtedly become one of the ‘must-read’ accounts of our 16th President。 It is a captivating look at the president’s struggles to live up to a “transcendental moral order” that calls on humans “to do justice， to love mercy， and to walk humbly with their God。” Meacham details Lincoln’s moral journey on the issue of slavery。 It was not a straightforward path！ How There is no shortage of biographies of Abraham Lincoln （and I have read my share of them）。 Jon Meacham’s richly researched account will undoubtedly become one of the ‘must-read’ accounts of our 16th President。 It is a captivating look at the president’s struggles to live up to a “transcendental moral order” that calls on humans “to do justice， to love mercy， and to walk humbly with their God。” Meacham details Lincoln’s moral journey on the issue of slavery。 It was not a straightforward path！ However， he fundamentally believed that “all men are created equal” and that helped to guide him to declare the Emancipation Proclamation and to enshrine it with the passage of the 13th amendment。 。。。more
PIETER
，
I've read Goodreads reviews this morning and they were all 5 stars。 My 4-star rating is not a criticism of Jon Meacham， far from it。 I simply reserve my 5 stars for very rare reads。 I think I am giving a resounding bravo for Meacham's well-written and readable Lincoln story。 This not a normal full-life biograhy but truly focuses on Lincoln's years in the White House （called Executive Mansion at the time） and during the Civil War。 It is right up there with his biography of Thomas Jefferson。 As a I've read Goodreads reviews this morning and they were all 5 stars。 My 4-star rating is not a criticism of Jon Meacham， far from it。 I simply reserve my 5 stars for very rare reads。 I think I am giving a resounding bravo for Meacham's well-written and readable Lincoln story。 This not a normal full-life biograhy but truly focuses on Lincoln's years in the White House （called Executive Mansion at the time） and during the Civil War。 It is right up there with his biography of Thomas Jefferson。 As a guide at Monticello in the early nineties， I gravitated to Meacham's book in a way that I had not found an author to do before。 Jefferson was a complicated man， so was Lincoln。 Both had problems with slavery and race。 Delving into their minds and actions seems to be Meacham's genius。 Well done to Vanderbilt for having him on the history faculty。 I taught American legal history at the University of Paris for twenty years。 I would love to have had Meacham's history on hand but， alas， it arrived too late for my teaching。 So I end my review by heartily recommending this long book to lovers of American history。 。。。more
Marge Congress
，
A magnificent work - 600 pages of text and 600 pages of notes - that details every moment of Lincoln's life。 So many things I had never heard before， including the near rebellion when the votes ofo the Electors was to be announced。 It was so close to what happened this year， it was astonishing。 What a great man， living in the most difficult of times。 Take your time to read it。 The ending is truly a summary of all that came before andn worth carefully reading。 A magnificent work - 600 pages of text and 600 pages of notes - that details every moment of Lincoln's life。 So many things I had never heard before， including the near rebellion when the votes ofo the Electors was to be announced。 It was so close to what happened this year， it was astonishing。 What a great man， living in the most difficult of times。 Take your time to read it。 The ending is truly a summary of all that came before andn worth carefully reading。 。。。more
Dave
，
In my opinion， Jon Meacham is one of the finest biographers currently alive。 This is my fifth Meacham book and they have all been very good to excellent。 "And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle" deserves more than 5 stars！ Meacham illuminates as well as anyone I've read， Lincoln the fallible man as he struggles with his moral convictions on Christianity and slavery versus what the country at war will accept and he can accomplish。Rather than repeat what has already been sa In my opinion， Jon Meacham is one of the finest biographers currently alive。 This is my fifth Meacham book and they have all been very good to excellent。 "And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle" deserves more than 5 stars！ Meacham illuminates as well as anyone I've read， Lincoln the fallible man as he struggles with his moral convictions on Christianity and slavery versus what the country at war will accept and he can accomplish。Rather than repeat what has already been said very well about this book， I refer you to three Goodreads reviews: Bill dated Aug。 21， 2022， Henry Coeal dated Sept。 16， 2022， and Michael dated Aug。 17， 2022。I highly recommend this biography of our 16th President。 。。。more
Jill
，
More than your standard Lincoln biography， these seemed to be a more focused study on his positions about slavery and abolition and how they evolved overtime。 Like many of the people in our history that have been deemed "heroes"， Lincoln is among the list that people either want to prop of as a pillar of perfection， or tear down as a hypocrite and tyrant。 I think this work by Meacham does a nice job of trying to showcase the nuances of Lincoln as a person and the trade offs he often made in his More than your standard Lincoln biography， these seemed to be a more focused study on his positions about slavery and abolition and how they evolved overtime。 Like many of the people in our history that have been deemed "heroes"， Lincoln is among the list that people either want to prop of as a pillar of perfection， or tear down as a hypocrite and tyrant。 I think this work by Meacham does a nice job of trying to showcase the nuances of Lincoln as a person and the trade offs he often made in his positions based on the times and his goals。 Yet， he also showcases the deep thought and contemplation the President seemed to undertake whenever faced with a decision that had strong moral implications （which seemed like most everything with this time period。） I enjoyed reading this book and while it didn't share new information by way of facts， it seemed to be more thematic than other books I've read on Lincoln。 And it seemed that the author wanted to remind us of how far we've come， while also showing have we are still fighting the same battles。 。。。more
B。
，
I won an ARC in a Goodreads Giveaway and ended up with a finished hardcover。 This biography of Lincoln was both well-written and wonderfully comprehensive。 The segments of Lincoln's life were clearly divided， with logical and rational stopping points， making the book easy to set down and pick back up。 Meacham keeps a steady pace and his writing is very engaging - no dry history tome here。 I was expecting the dry kind of writing present in Team of Rivals and was pleasantly surprised to find that I won an ARC in a Goodreads Giveaway and ended up with a finished hardcover。 This biography of Lincoln was both well-written and wonderfully comprehensive。 The segments of Lincoln's life were clearly divided， with logical and rational stopping points， making the book easy to set down and pick back up。 Meacham keeps a steady pace and his writing is very engaging - no dry history tome here。 I was expecting the dry kind of writing present in Team of Rivals and was pleasantly surprised to find that was not the case。 All in all， this was a stellar biography。 。。。more
Mark Chimel
，
This book delivers on the promise you would expect when one of the most noteworthy historian and presidential biographer writes a biography on arguably our greatest ever president。 It is meticulous and therefore understandably long， and perhaps therefore manages to deliver unique perspectives， even even for someone like me who has read a lot about a Lincoln。 I feel like many Lincoln books focus on him navigating through his presidency， and somewhat on his earlier political career and presidentia This book delivers on the promise you would expect when one of the most noteworthy historian and presidential biographer writes a biography on arguably our greatest ever president。 It is meticulous and therefore understandably long， and perhaps therefore manages to deliver unique perspectives， even even for someone like me who has read a lot about a Lincoln。 I feel like many Lincoln books focus on him navigating through his presidency， and somewhat on his earlier political career and presidential campaigns， but this is a complete picture of Lincoln's life that really delves into his earlier years as well， which are largely mythologized in the common paradigm on Lincoln。 Even in his writing about Lincoln's presidency Meacham provides unique insights into Lincoln's thought processes and historical moments that in many ways aren't all that different from our current times。 Therefore， while this is a biography and not a leadership book， like others written about Lincoln， the leadership lessons are also subtlety there。 If you are a fan of Lincoln， history， or Meacham you will not be disappointed with this book， but I would also recommend it to others that might like to glean hope for how we might rise out of our current time of political turmoil。 。。。more
Joe
，
As a long-time， avid student of history， I have found that every so often， every decade or so， a book appears that supplies much more than an engaging account of a period or person but reaches beyond the person or the times to capture their essence， the forces that well up to motivate and shape the most significant turning points of life on earth。 This is one of those books。 Just when you thought everything that can be said about Lincoln has been said （many times over）， Meacham has unraveled som As a long-time， avid student of history， I have found that every so often， every decade or so， a book appears that supplies much more than an engaging account of a period or person but reaches beyond the person or the times to capture their essence， the forces that well up to motivate and shape the most significant turning points of life on earth。 This is one of those books。 Just when you thought everything that can be said about Lincoln has been said （many times over）， Meacham has unraveled something new。 He has given us the President whose religious， moral and philosophical growth served as the engine of his politics and transformed a ghastly war into a blessing for our country in his age and in ours。 。。。more
G
，
Good except Team of Rivals was better。 I would have been more happy if the book had more analysis and less description of events
Faith
，
“Lincoln’s acceptance of the moral case against slavery and his rejection of the passivity of Calvinistic predestination would help determine the course of his life， and of the nation’s。” “In life， Lincoln’s motives were moral as well as political – a reminder that our finest presidents are those committed to bringing a flawed nation closer to the light， a mission that requires an understanding that politics divorced from conscience is fatal to the American experiment in liberty under law。”This “Lincoln’s acceptance of the moral case against slavery and his rejection of the passivity of Calvinistic predestination would help determine the course of his life， and of the nation’s。” “In life， Lincoln’s motives were moral as well as political – a reminder that our finest presidents are those committed to bringing a flawed nation closer to the light， a mission that requires an understanding that politics divorced from conscience is fatal to the American experiment in liberty under law。”This is an extensively researched account of an American president faced with a polarized nation。 It explores how he grew as a man as his principles， conscience and religious beliefs coalesced。 I have read other Lincoln biographies so I was familiar with a lot of this material， but this book took a slightly different approach to Lincoln’s complicated story。 He was melancholy， shy， brilliant， ambitious， tender hearted and （fortunately for the country） amazingly steadfast in the face of opposition。 “The world shall know that I will keep my faith to friends & enemies， come what will。”I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher。 I also listened to the audiobook （excellently narrated by the author）， which ended at about the 41% point of the ebook。 The rest of the ebook contains Source Notes and a Bibliography。 。。。more
James Empson
，
There are many biographies of Lincoln。 This may not be the most authoritative， but it is an eminently readable book with a unspoken echoes （perhaps） of the ethical， religious and racial differences on the polarized electorate of early C21 America。 If I was to recommend a single biography of Lincoln for the general reader - like myself - this would certainly be a candidate。
Andrew Martin
，
Another major biography of Lincoln has appeared。 In this volume， Meacham traces the evolution of Lincoln from a backwoods orator to the Presidency of the United States。 The major underlying theme is that of slavery and the recognition of the rights of blacks in American society。 Lincoln was always anti-slavery but not an egalitarian in any sense of the word。 He favored colonization and hewed closely to the views of his great mentor， Henry Clay。 Lincoln， according to his law partner， Herndon， was Another major biography of Lincoln has appeared。 In this volume， Meacham traces the evolution of Lincoln from a backwoods orator to the Presidency of the United States。 The major underlying theme is that of slavery and the recognition of the rights of blacks in American society。 Lincoln was always anti-slavery but not an egalitarian in any sense of the word。 He favored colonization and hewed closely to the views of his great mentor， Henry Clay。 Lincoln， according to his law partner， Herndon， was the engine that could never quit and he ran for office many times only to lose more than he won。 Lincoln suffered from a marriage to Mary Todd who had her own mental problems which only exacerbated his bouts of depression。 Yet， he motored on and Meacham traces his evolution from proponent of getting blacks out of sight to one that realized their inherent humanity。 With his election as President and the advent of the Civil War， Lincoln had to not only win a war but win the support of his nation to do what is today considered a natural right。 Meacham traces this expertly relying not only on superb secondary sources but primary ones as well。 In the end， we find a man who was certainly not perfect but just perhaps the perfect person to occupy the Presidency at that critical time in our nation's history。 Read it to be enlightened。 。。。more
Christopher Brown
，
I learned so much about President Lincoln from this book。 I knew about Lincoln and his life but learned so much more。I have always thought Jon Meacham was one of the most knowledgeable Presidential Historians and gifted writers。 This book confirmed that。
Jake
，
That Abraham Lincoln really got some shit done。
Jonathan Brown
，
I enjoy Jon Meachem， his writing style and especially his speaking about our history in the way in which he does — at times lofty but realistic。 You can hear Meachem’s voice in this book many times， as his asides really bring Lincoln’s purpose as to slavery and union to life。 This book is a solid 3。75 and a good starting primer for anyone wishing to learn quickly about Abraham Lincoln。 It can also serve as an analysis of the time and constrictions in which Lincoln lived and governed。 At times it I enjoy Jon Meachem， his writing style and especially his speaking about our history in the way in which he does — at times lofty but realistic。 You can hear Meachem’s voice in this book many times， as his asides really bring Lincoln’s purpose as to slavery and union to life。 This book is a solid 3。75 and a good starting primer for anyone wishing to learn quickly about Abraham Lincoln。 It can also serve as an analysis of the time and constrictions in which Lincoln lived and governed。 At times it is preachy but in a good way。 I regret the 3 rating but I have read more comprehensive Lincoln biographies which I rated higher。 。。。more
Dayton H
，
Very good research and writing 。 This book will bring new knowledge and insight to President Lincoln and our country
Chad Manske
，
Lincoln seen from a different light。 That’s how I would simply describe this new biography from Pulitzer-prize winning author Jon Meacham。 From Lincoln’s humble birth in Kentucky， through his upbringing and baptist education， his unlikely ascendancy to the Presidency and leadership during the Civil War， and through his assassination on Good Friday 1865 at Ford’s Theater， Lincoln’s moral upbringing was the essential quality that kept our country progressively moving forward through one of its dar Lincoln seen from a different light。 That’s how I would simply describe this new biography from Pulitzer-prize winning author Jon Meacham。 From Lincoln’s humble birth in Kentucky， through his upbringing and baptist education， his unlikely ascendancy to the Presidency and leadership during the Civil War， and through his assassination on Good Friday 1865 at Ford’s Theater， Lincoln’s moral upbringing was the essential quality that kept our country progressively moving forward through one of its darkest chapters。 Through Meacham we see Lincoln’s depression， failures and struggles—all human qualities many can relate—in addition to his victories and achievements。 A very good read！ 。。。more
Northumberland
，
This book tells the story of Lincoln from his birth on the Kentucky frontier in 1809 to his leadership during the Civil War to his tragic assassination at Ford’s Theater on Good Friday 1865: his rise， his self-education through reading， his loves， his bouts of depression， his political failures， his deepening faith， and his persistent conviction that slavery must end。 In a nation shaped by the courage of the enslaved of the era and by the brave witness of Black Americans of the nineteenth centur This book tells the story of Lincoln from his birth on the Kentucky frontier in 1809 to his leadership during the Civil War to his tragic assassination at Ford’s Theater on Good Friday 1865: his rise， his self-education through reading， his loves， his bouts of depression， his political failures， his deepening faith， and his persistent conviction that slavery must end。 In a nation shaped by the courage of the enslaved of the era and by the brave witness of Black Americans of the nineteenth century， Lincoln’s story illuminates the ways and means of politics， the marshaling of power in a belligerent democracy， the durability of white supremacy in America， and the capacity of conscience to shape the maelstrom of events。Lincoln was not all he might have been—few human beings ever are—but he was more than many men have ever been。 We could have done worse。 And we have。 And， as Lincoln himself would readily acknowledge， we can always do better。 But we will do so only if we see Abraham Lincoln—and ourselves—whole。 。。。more
Murray
，
This new biography on Lincoln focuses primarily on how religion and morality formed his views on slavery as a young child and through his presidency。 Meacham does a nice job showing that Lincoln was a man of his convictions but also his flaws and his internalized racism。 Lincoln believed that slavery was immoral and he evolved into believing that the institution of slavery need to abolished for the Union to survive， but he also wrestled with colonizing freed slaves and that blacks and whites pro This new biography on Lincoln focuses primarily on how religion and morality formed his views on slavery as a young child and through his presidency。 Meacham does a nice job showing that Lincoln was a man of his convictions but also his flaws and his internalized racism。 Lincoln believed that slavery was immoral and he evolved into believing that the institution of slavery need to abolished for the Union to survive， but he also wrestled with colonizing freed slaves and that blacks and whites probably could not live together。 Fredrick Douglass was frustrated with Lincoln and some of his views at times but stated， "Abraham Lincoln， while unsurpassed in his devotion to the welfare of the white race， was also in a sense hitherto without example， emphatically， the black man's President: the first to show any respect for their rights as men。" It was easy to see parallels where America was as a country right before the Civil War and where things stand today in a polarized society。 Meacham in his epilogue writes， "politics divorced from conscience is fatal to the American experiment in liberty under the law。" 。。。more
Du
，
3。5 stars。 Meacham is such a solid researcher and writer， but none of his tomes come close to the Destiny of Power， his bio of HW Bush。 That said， any book on Lincoln is going to start from both a place of prosperity and a place of question， with how many biographies there are in the market。 I found this book to be smooth， insightful and caring。 There is a historians eye to the writing and research （as evident in the 300 pages of notes）， and it is told with a conversational tone of a professor w 3。5 stars。 Meacham is such a solid researcher and writer， but none of his tomes come close to the Destiny of Power， his bio of HW Bush。 That said， any book on Lincoln is going to start from both a place of prosperity and a place of question， with how many biographies there are in the market。 I found this book to be smooth， insightful and caring。 There is a historians eye to the writing and research （as evident in the 300 pages of notes）， and it is told with a conversational tone of a professor who isn't too academic。 Nicely done。 It would be a 4 if Doris Kearns Goodwin hadn't written Team of Rivals， the definitive Lincoln book。 。。。more
Gretchen Hohmeyer
，
I have mixed feelings about this book。 First， I don't think that its actual content fits the bill。 This sounds like a full biography of Lincoln， however， it is very focused on his spiritual and philosophical upbringing and how that impacted how he governed during the Civil War。 Parts of his early life （for example， his time as a lawyer） are very skipped over。 Meacham's illusions of how Lincoln's first inaugural is exceptionally like January 6th - and how the entire feeling in the country in both I have mixed feelings about this book。 First， I don't think that its actual content fits the bill。 This sounds like a full biography of Lincoln， however， it is very focused on his spiritual and philosophical upbringing and how that impacted how he governed during the Civil War。 Parts of his early life （for example， his time as a lawyer） are very skipped over。 Meacham's illusions of how Lincoln's first inaugural is exceptionally like January 6th - and how the entire feeling in the country in both times is similar - is very well done。 However， the spiritual and religious emphasis goes in and out sometimes to that Meacham can make larger， grander assertions。 The epilogue in particular felt like it needed a bit more connective tissue。 However， as always， Meacham is a great writer and it was a nice read。 。。。more
joyce w。 laudon
，
Jon Meacham is the highly regarded author of a number of biographies; among these are books on Jefferson， John Lewis and Andrew Jackson。 Now Meacham has turned his attention to one of the country’s best known presidents。 Here is a fascinating look back at Lincoln and his divisive times。 Oh， so many， wish that we had a leader like him now。This book is long and one that a reader may approach in a slow and steady manner。 There is so much to savor here。 There are many Lincolns within these pages; th Jon Meacham is the highly regarded author of a number of biographies; among these are books on Jefferson， John Lewis and Andrew Jackson。 Now Meacham has turned his attention to one of the country’s best known presidents。 Here is a fascinating look back at Lincoln and his divisive times。 Oh， so many， wish that we had a leader like him now。This book is long and one that a reader may approach in a slow and steady manner。 There is so much to savor here。 There are many Lincolns within these pages; thre is a public man of strong morals who got to the presidency from what many saw as inauspicious beginnings。 Lincoln was also a private man; his wife was a complex woman and so was his marriage。 In addition， Lincoln knew private grief through the death of his son。 Lincoln was a leader in wartime， a man who kept a battered country together。 There is so much that can be learned from him。 I am aware that I am just skimming the surface here。 Read this book to learn more for yourself。Those who enjoy autobiography and those who want to reflect on other troubled times in U。S。 history， will want to have this book on their shelves。Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this title。 All opinions are my own。 。。。more
Lois
，
Not that there is anything much new to report on Lincoln， but a great opportunity to compare his times to our own。 In particular， the Election of 1864: a country at war， an unpopular President against a very popular Ex General， and still a fair election took place and people。 accepted。 the。results。 As Lincoln was sworn to and said multiple times。 Meachum on Sunday about the Election of 2022 was very sobering and appropriate。
Jill Stevenson
，
This was outstanding。 John Meacham （who narrates the Audible version） has written a very human story of a much revered and storied man。 Highly recommend
Emily
，
4。5 stars。 This is a rich and inspiring story about the life of President Lincoln and his pivotal role in ending slavery and keeping the Union intact。 I loved reading his well-thought-out words and watching him grow and expand in wisdom and courage over time。 I am grateful he wrote and talked so openly about his reliance on God so we could more fully see how God was guiding and strengthening him。 I appreciated learning more about his unique position that allowed him to be elected （by taking a mo 4。5 stars。 This is a rich and inspiring story about the life of President Lincoln and his pivotal role in ending slavery and keeping the Union intact。 I loved reading his well-thought-out words and watching him grow and expand in wisdom and courage over time。 I am grateful he wrote and talked so openly about his reliance on God so we could more fully see how God was guiding and strengthening him。 I appreciated learning more about his unique position that allowed him to be elected （by taking a more moderate and unifying stance）， and then his heartfelt prayers of faith that pushed Him to make the decisions he felt divinely-inspired to act on。 While he didn’t do as much as some would’ve liked， we can learn much from his compromising and moderate steps in the right direction。 Lastly， I enjoyed learning more about Mary Todd， her strengths， her struggles （including her hereditary mental illness—14 members of her family were said to have been in asylums） and their courtship （I’ll share a cute quote below）。 I have enjoyed spending time with and learning from Lincoln this past week and hope to emulate some of his admirable strengths。 Some favorite quotes:-“’I do not despair of this country’， Frederick Douglass said。 ‘The fiat of the Almighty， Let there be light， has not yet spent its force。’ And it fell to Abraham Lincoln to shed that light in the darkest of hours。” -“Moral cowardice is something I think I never had。” Abraham Lincoln-“I have often wished that I was a more devout man than I am。 Nevertheless， amid the greatest difficulties of my administration when I could not see any other resort， I would place my whole reliance on God， knowing that all would go well and that He would decide for the right。” Lincoln-“Taken all in all， which is how we should take him—all in all—he was a human being who sought to do right more often than he did wrong。”-“A man professing more explicitly egalitarian convictions about race…could never have won the presidency in a nation suffused with anti-Black prejudice and would therefore have been unable to do what Lincoln did to make justice possible。”-“To Mary Todd， Lincoln said， ‘I want to dance with you in the worst way。’ When they were done Mary remarked， ‘Mr。 Lincoln I think you have literally fulfilled your request: you have danced the worst way possible。’”-“That the Almighty does make use of human agencies and directly intervenes in human affairs is one of the plainest statements of the bible。 I have had so many evidences of His direction， so many instances that I have been controlled by some other power than my own will that I cannot doubt that this power comes from above。” Lincoln-“I may not be a great man。 I know I am not a great man， and perhaps it is better that it is so for it makes me rely upon one who is great and who has the wisdom and power to lead us safely through this great trial。” Lincoln-“I am satisfied that when the Almighty wants me to do or not to do a particular thing， He finds a way of letting me know it。” “…and whatever appears to be God’s will， I will do it。” Lincoln-When being accused of changing his mind – “Yes I have， and I don’t think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday。” Abraham Lincoln-“In the pinch of your campaign up there， oppressed by the gravity of our affairs， I went into my room one day and locked the door and got down on my knees before Almighty God and prayed to Him mightily for victory at Gettysburg。 I told Him we couldn’t stand another Fredericksburg or Chancellorsville and I then and there made a solemn vow to Almighty God that if He would stand by our boys at Gettysburg， I would stand by Him。 And He did and I will。” Lincoln talking to his cabinet about emancipation -“While Lincoln don’t go forward as fast as some of us like， he never goes backward。” Jessie Fell-“His object is not absolute right， but as much right as the people will sanction。”-“I tell you Mr。 Lincoln is at heart as strong an anti-slavery man as any of them， but he is compelled to feel his way。 I say to you frankly that I believe his course to be right。 His mind acts slowly， but when he moves it is forward。” Owen Lovejoy （abolitionist and minister） 。。。more
David Kent
，
A noble effort。 [Longer review coming shortly]David J。 KentAuthor of Lincoln: The Fire of GeniusPresident， Lincoln Group of DC
Dave Fransen
，
Excellent author。 Excellent biography。 Loved it from beginning to end。
Scott Wilson
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Meacham is a successful historian and now he takes his turn with Abraham Lincoln。 I have read quite a bit about the civil war and Lincoln but surprisingly never a biography of Lincoln so it was time。 I don't count Team of Rivals which was great but had a different approach than a straight biography。Meacham focuses mostly on Lincoln's political life which I prefer so that was appreciated。 In his political life and ultimately his presidency he really focuses on slavery and to a lesser extent the c Meacham is a successful historian and now he takes his turn with Abraham Lincoln。 I have read quite a bit about the civil war and Lincoln but surprisingly never a biography of Lincoln so it was time。 I don't count Team of Rivals which was great but had a different approach than a straight biography。Meacham focuses mostly on Lincoln's political life which I prefer so that was appreciated。 In his political life and ultimately his presidency he really focuses on slavery and to a lesser extent the civil war。 Obviously， slavery and the civil war are the two major themes in Lincolns life so it makes sense for the book to spend most of its time on these two dominant issues of the time。I think Meacham does a great job of sharing Lincolns evolving beliefs as it relates to slavery with many quotes that might surprise some readers who believe Abe was the Great Emancipator。 When Lincoln seems to walk a fine line with being anti-slavery but saying things that imply， he doesn't feel that African Americans are truly equal in all areas。 I like that Meacham presents the sometimes-opposing statements made by Abe and does not say whether he feels Abe truly believed all of them or was just trying to walk a fine line。 He lets the reader decide for themself what Abe believed。 I come away from the book believing that Lincoln hated slavery and wanted to end it but he needed to be pragmatic as he tried to bring the country along to his way of thinking。 It would not have done any good to take a strong stance to the point that he couldn't win the election and do what he was ultimately able to accomplish。My second takeaway was the incredible physical and emotional strain on him during the civil war。 Meacham does a great job of showing how horrible it would be to have that pressure of trying to hold the country together and have to make decisions that he knew resulted in the death of hundreds of thousands of young men。My one slight disappointment is that I would have liked a little more attention paid to Lincon as the commander in chief during the war。 He had to make many difficult decisions when it came to the war not least of which was when to dismiss a general and I would have loved a little more attention to that but overall I thought "And There Was Light" was a very solid biography。 。。。more
Zachary
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