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Abraham Lincoln
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The Lincoln-Douglas Debates: The First Complete, Unexpurgated Text 1st Edition, Kindle Edition

by Harold Holzer (Editor) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 52 ratings
This authoritative edition of the Lincoln-Douglas debates from a leading Lincoln historian brings to life the passions that divided nineteenth-century America.
 
The seven debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas held during the Illinois senatorial race of 1858 include some of the most important statements in American political history. Taken together, they embody the nation’s dramatic struggles over the issues that would lead to the Civil War: the virtues of a republic and the evils of slavery.
 
So contentious were these debates that two newspapers attempted to record and publish the proceedings verbatim. In this acclaimed book, Lincoln historian Harold 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 and accurate record of the debates available. 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[s].”—Library Journal
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  1. ISBN-13
    978-0823223411
  2. Edition
    1st
  3. Publisher
    Fordham University Press
  4. Publication date
    August 25, 2009
  5. Language
    English
  6. File size
    5.5 MB
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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Those who have read the debates between Lincoln and Douglas that took place during the 1858 Senate race in Illinois may not have read what was actually said. The authenticity of the texts has always been in dispute, with the political presses of the day polishing the prose of their candidate and Lincoln himself publishing a sanitized version two years later. The editor of this volume (coeditor, with Mario Cuomo, of Lincoln on Democracy , LJ 10/15/90), claims to present the first authentic texts of the seven confrontations. Interspersed are shouted comments from the crowds, background on the sites, and renditions of how the debates may have appeared. What emerges is a vivid, boisterous picture of politics during our most divisive period: the dull ineloquence of Lincoln and his interplay with hecklers, the blatant bigotry and slashing humor of Douglas, and the small degree to which campaigning has changed in 135 years. This fresh, fascinating examination of a significant step in our march toward the Civil War deserves a place in all American history collections. For public, school, and academic libraries.
- James Moffet, Baldwin P.L., Birmingham, Mich.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“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

“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

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004FPYJNA
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Fordham University Press; 1st edition (August 25, 2009)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 25, 2009
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.5 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 431 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0823223426
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 52 ratings

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  1. Abraham Lincoln

    Abraham Lincoln

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  2. Harold Holzer

    Harold Holzer

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    Harold Holzer, one of the country's leading authorities on Abraham Lincoln and the political culture of the Civil War era, serves as chairman of the Lincoln Bicentennial Foundation. He has authored, coauthored, and edited forty-two books, including Emancipating Lincoln, Lincoln at Cooper Union, and three award-winning books for young readers: Father Abraham: Lincoln and His Sons, The President Is Shot!, and Abraham Lincoln, the Writer. His awards include the Lincoln Prize and the National Humanities Medal. He lives in New York City.

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  3. Stephen Arnold Douglas

    Stephen Arnold Douglas

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4.4 out of 5 stars
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Customers enjoy reading through these debates immensely. They find the book very useful.

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7 customers mention "Reading quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy reading through these debates immensely, with one noting it's a great game of words.

"...for Christmas.!! This book gives the best, and most honest , unbiased , presentation of the issues consuming early Americans politics...." Read more

"...they are accounts given by the opposition, i found them intellectually challenging and overall stimulating...." Read more

"This was fascinating. Probably more than the average history buff cares to know, but I am fascinated by..." Read more

"...I recommend this book for young and old. roweazmike 1-22-13" Read more

3 customers mention "Book value"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book valuable, with one mentioning it is very powerful to accompany the book.

"...I found it fascinating and very useful...." Read more

"...There is a CD with audio reenactment... Very powerful to accompany the book, especially if using as teaching tool." Read more

"Timeless and Important..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • texas lady
    5.0 out of 5 stars Help far right wing folks understand the civil war better
    Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    My girlfriend's husband and my husband, both proud of their Southern Heritage , are both complaining about "re-writting history" regarding the civil war. They argue that the civil war was more about State rights vs Federal rights and not about slavery. Which has a gain of truth but I and my girlfriend still believe the central issue of the civil war was slavery.
    So unbeknownst to either of us, we both bought our husbands the same book for Christmas.!!
    This book gives the best, and most honest , unbiased , presentation of the issues consuming early Americans politics. It's worth reading because it is not historical-fiction, nor is it presented in a biased way either for or against slavery. Truth be told, Douglas gives such a good argument for keeping slavery that I almost could agree with him. But Lincoln held the higher moral ground and I am thankful for that.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Husker005
    5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless and Important
    Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    In 1858, Abraham Lincoln attempted to persaude the Illinois' State Assembly to select him to the United States Senate over the incumbent and powerful Steven A. Douglas by engaging Douglas in seven open air debates. The fact that Douglas agreed to these debates is somewhat of a mystery since he was already well-known and well-admired in Illinois. Giving Lincoln a forum in which was on the same stage a Douglas would likely enhance Lincoln's political stature but would not necessarily benefit Douglas. Nonetheless, Douglas agreed to seven debates and each was dramatic. The theme central to all seven was the issue of slavery and whether the Federal government should ban it, limit it or stay out of the issue and let the states themselves decide. Neither pursauded the other but Douglas, a pro-slavery advocate, apparently did enough to get elected by the Illinois State Assembly (US Senators at that time were still elected by their respective State Legislators). Lincoln, however, made the case, repeatedly for Man's inalienable, God given right to be free. Lincoln's message, as history demonstrated, eventually carried the day with his Party and the American electorate. His message rings true today.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Lincoln Douglas debates
    Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I had been looking for this type of book about the Lincoln Douglas debates for some time. This fits the need.
    One person found this helpful
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  • StBindo30
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful resource
    Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed reading through these debates immensely. So much so that I completed them in one sitting, which is a rare occurrence considering the books length. I've only recently begun to have a rather intense interest in President Lincoln, and believe these debates (even if you only read the edited ones) are fundamental to getting to know the man as a politician and how he reasoned. Even though these are said to be the most "base" versions of the debates, considering they are accounts given by the opposition, i found them intellectually challenging and overall stimulating. Many of the issues they cover are still being debated, even if we've changed the way we argue. I highly suggest these to any history buffs, and especially any who are attempting to study Lincoln himself.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Mike Kolls
    5.0 out of 5 stars It was about slavery
    Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    The rhetoric in these seven debates defines a period of US history markedly different than today. As such, ideas in the debates and this review are a bit awkward – keep the context of 1858 in mind…

    Where the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates a high-point of political rhetoric? How did a series of debates for one Senate seat divide a nation? How/why did the “loser” become President within 2 years?

    Their political careers had crossed paths many times. A good volume of these seven debates were state-level minutiae aimed to discredit the other candidate – past political squabbles. Amidst comments of praise, both candidates took many nuanced jabs at each other. 1858 was a time where men respected each other, could also take political jabs at each other, and then be civil to each other. These debates are an informative step into the 19th century.

    Amidst the state level squabbles lies slavery. Northern Illinois was Free. Southern Illinois was sympathetic to slavery. How did state-level politicians maneuver these disparate areas/audiences?

    What did “all men are created equal” (in The Declaration of Independence) mean? Did this apply to black slaves? How does one defend slavery? Was full equality for Africans staunchly advocated? What about Liberia?
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Johnathonti
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough
    Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This was fascinating. Probably more than the average history buff cares to know, but I am fascinated by
    The official as well as possible words of great men long after they are gone. We need another Lincoln badly. It also proves that politics was even then a great game of words.
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  • roweazmike
    5.0 out of 5 stars SENIOR LEARNED FROM THIS BOOK FOR KIDS
    Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This book is written as a companion to the movie for children. The author explains how Lincoln understood the United States as a nation, but he also understood its relationship in the world — providing an example of excellence and goodness among all nations. The author caused me to think a whole lot about how a political leader in the United States might use Lincoln's example. I also purchased the Licoln-Douglas debates.

    I recommend this book for young and old.

    roweazmike 1-22-13
    2 people found this helpful
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  • James Schneider
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well researched & unique perspective
    Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Purchased this book as I was preparing to portray Senator Douglas in a debate re-enactment. I found it fascinating and very useful. Using the versions of each debate that were likely the least 'doctored' greatly increased the historical accuracy. I also found the background information that was presented with each debate to be well written and entertaining as well as informative. I have other versions of the Lincoln - Douglas debates but this is by far the best. I highly recommend this book.
    7 people found this helpful
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