The Lincoln-Douglas Debates
The First Complete, Unexpurgated Text
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The seven debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas held during the Illinois senatorial race of 1858 are among the most important statements in American political history, dramatic struggles over the issues that would tear apart the nation in the Civil War: the virtues of a republic and the evils of slavery.
In this acclaimed book, Holzer brings us as close as possible to what Lincoln and Douglas actually said, Using transcripts of Lincoln's speeches as recorded by the pro-Douglas newspaper, and vice-versa, he offers the most reliable, unedited record available of the debates. Also included are background on the sites, crowd comments, and a new introduction.
"A vivid, boisterous picture of politics during our most divisive period…This fresh, fascinating examination…. deserves a place in all American history collection."-Library Journal
“These thirteen essays are all products of the annual and acclaimed Lincoln Forum. While the Union president is the central theme, the topics range far afield and offer a tasty hors d’oeuvre for Civil War scholars and students alike.”---—James I. Robertson, Jr., Author of Stonewall Jackson: The Man, the Soldier, the Legend.
A vivid, boisterous picture of politics during our most divisive period . . . This fresh, fascinating examination . . . deserves a place in all American history collections.---— Library Journal
“Abraham Lincoln’s life and work produced a cornucopia of provocative ideas, analyses and opinions. John Y. Simon and Harold Holzer have made it easier for us to share in that abundance with a volume of carefully selected works from the Lincoln Forum.”---—Mario Cuomo, former Governor of New York