The Age of Lincoln and the Art of American Power, 1848-1876

Although Abraham Lincoln was among seven presidents who served during the tumultuous years between the end of the Mexican War and the end of the Reconstruction era, history has not been kind to the others: Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, and Ulysses S. Grant.
 
In contrast, history sees Abraham Lincoln as a giant in character and deeds. During his presidency, he governed brilliantly, developed the economy, liberated four million people from slavery, reunified the nation, and helped enact the Homestead Act, among other accomplishments. He proved to be not only an outstanding commander in chief but also a skilled diplomat, economist, humanist, educator, and moralist.
 
Lincoln achieved that and more because he was a master of the art of American power. He understood that the struggle for hearts and minds was the essence of politics in a democracy. He asserted power mostly by appealing to people’s hopes rather than their fears. All along he tried to shape rather than reflect prevailing public opinions that differed from his own. To that end, he was brilliant at bridging the gap between progressives and conservatives by reining in the former and urging on the latter.
 
His art of power ultimately reflected his unswerving devotion to the Declaration of Independence’s principles and the Constitution’s institutions, or as he so elegantly expressed it, “to a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
 

 

1116088615
The Age of Lincoln and the Art of American Power, 1848-1876

Although Abraham Lincoln was among seven presidents who served during the tumultuous years between the end of the Mexican War and the end of the Reconstruction era, history has not been kind to the others: Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, and Ulysses S. Grant.
 
In contrast, history sees Abraham Lincoln as a giant in character and deeds. During his presidency, he governed brilliantly, developed the economy, liberated four million people from slavery, reunified the nation, and helped enact the Homestead Act, among other accomplishments. He proved to be not only an outstanding commander in chief but also a skilled diplomat, economist, humanist, educator, and moralist.
 
Lincoln achieved that and more because he was a master of the art of American power. He understood that the struggle for hearts and minds was the essence of politics in a democracy. He asserted power mostly by appealing to people’s hopes rather than their fears. All along he tried to shape rather than reflect prevailing public opinions that differed from his own. To that end, he was brilliant at bridging the gap between progressives and conservatives by reining in the former and urging on the latter.
 
His art of power ultimately reflected his unswerving devotion to the Declaration of Independence’s principles and the Constitution’s institutions, or as he so elegantly expressed it, “to a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
 

 

34.95 In Stock
The Age of Lincoln and the Art of American Power, 1848-1876

The Age of Lincoln and the Art of American Power, 1848-1876

by William Nester
The Age of Lincoln and the Art of American Power, 1848-1876

The Age of Lincoln and the Art of American Power, 1848-1876

by William Nester

Hardcover

$34.95 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    Qualifies for Free Shipping
  • PICK UP IN STORE

    Your local store may have stock of this item.

Related collections and offers


Overview


Although Abraham Lincoln was among seven presidents who served during the tumultuous years between the end of the Mexican War and the end of the Reconstruction era, history has not been kind to the others: Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, and Ulysses S. Grant.
 
In contrast, history sees Abraham Lincoln as a giant in character and deeds. During his presidency, he governed brilliantly, developed the economy, liberated four million people from slavery, reunified the nation, and helped enact the Homestead Act, among other accomplishments. He proved to be not only an outstanding commander in chief but also a skilled diplomat, economist, humanist, educator, and moralist.
 
Lincoln achieved that and more because he was a master of the art of American power. He understood that the struggle for hearts and minds was the essence of politics in a democracy. He asserted power mostly by appealing to people’s hopes rather than their fears. All along he tried to shape rather than reflect prevailing public opinions that differed from his own. To that end, he was brilliant at bridging the gap between progressives and conservatives by reining in the former and urging on the latter.
 
His art of power ultimately reflected his unswerving devotion to the Declaration of Independence’s principles and the Constitution’s institutions, or as he so elegantly expressed it, “to a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
 

 


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781612346588
Publisher: Potomac Books
Publication date: 02/01/2014
Pages: 376
Product dimensions: 6.40(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author



WILLIAM NESTER is a professor at St. John’s University in New York City and the author of more than thirty books on various aspects of international relations, including four for Potomac Books: The Revolutionary Years, 1775–1789; The Hamiltonian Vision, 1789–1800; The Jeffersonian Vision, 1801–1815; and The Age of Jackson and the Art of American Power, 1815–1848. He lives in New York City.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Abraham Lincoln and the Art of Power 1

Part 1 Manifest Destiny, 1848-1860

1 Eighteen Forty-Eight 11

2 Young Lincoln 22

3 Uncle Tom's Cabin 36

4 Bleeding Kansas 55

5 Dred Scott and Harpers Ferry 75

6 The Election 90

Part 2 Civil War, 1861-1865

7 Limited War 103

8 Emancipation 145

9 The Hamiltonian Triumph 159

10 Turning Points 169

11 Total War 187

12 With Malice toward None 212

Part 3 Reconstruction, 1865-1876

13 Revolution 225

14 Night Riders and Black Codes 242

15 Frontiers 259

16 Eighteen Seventy-Six 282

17 Legacy 288

List of Abbreviations 313

Notes 315

Index 355

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews