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Lincoln Unbound: How an Ambitious Young Railsplitter Saved the American Dream—And How We Can Do It Again Kindle Edition

by Rich Lowry (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 83 ratings
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In this thoughtful mix of history and politics, the New York Times bestselling author and editor of National Review—the conservative bible founded by William F. Buckley, Jr.—traces Abraham Lincoln's ambitious climb from provincial upstart to political powerhouse and calls for a renewal of the Lincoln ethic of relentless striving.

Revered today across the political spectrum, Abraham Lincoln believed in a small but active government in a nation defined by aspiration. Fired by an indomitable ambition from a young age, the man who would be immortalized as the "railsplitter" never wanted to earn his living with an ax. He educated himself in a frontier environment characterized by mind-numbing labor and then turned his back on that world. All his life, he preached a gospel of work and discipline toward the all-important ends of self-improvement and individual advancement. As a Whig and then a Republican, he worked to smash the rural backwardness in which he was raised and the Southern plantation economy that depended on human bondage.

Both were unacceptably stultifying of human potential. In short, Lincoln lived the American Dream and succeeded in opening a way to it for others. He saw in the nation's founding documents the unchanging foundation of an endlessly dynamic society. He embraced the market and the amazing transportation and communications revolutions beginning to take hold. He helped give birth to the modern industrial economy that arose before the Civil War and that took off after it.

His vision of an upwardly mobile society that rewards and supports individual striving was wondrously realized. Now it is under threat. Economic stagnation and social breakdown are undermining mobility and the American way. To meet these challenges, Rich Lowry draws us back to the lessons of Lincoln. It is imperative, he argues, to preserve a fluid economy and the bourgeois virtues that make it possible for individuals to thrive within it.

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  1. Print length
    287 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Broadside e-books
  5. Publication date
    June 11, 2013
  6. File size
    6141 KB
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“A gem: powerfully argued, beautifully written, and both politically and historically illuminating. Lowry makes an impassioned case for a contemporary Republican renewal on truly Lincolnian lines.” (Charles Krauthammer, nationally syndicated columnist and Fox News contributor)

From the Back Cover

In this thoughtful mix of history and politics, the New York Times bestselling author and editor of National Review—the conservative bible founded by William F. Buckley, Jr.—traces Abraham Lincoln's ambitious climb from provincial upstart to political powerhouse and calls for a renewal of the Lincoln ethic of relentless striving.

Revered today across the political spectrum, Abraham Lincoln believed in a small but active government in a nation defined by aspiration. Fired by an indomitable ambition from a young age, the man who would be immortalized as the "railsplitter" never wanted to earn his living with an ax. He educated himself in a frontier environment characterized by mind-numbing labor and then turned his back on that world. All his life, he preached a gospel of work and discipline toward the all-important ends of self-improvement and individual advancement. As a Whig and then a Republican, he worked to smash the rural backwardness in which he was raised and the Southern plantation economy that depended on human bondage.

Both were unacceptably stultifying of human potential. In short, Lincoln lived the American Dream and succeeded in opening a way to it for others. He saw in the nation's founding documents the unchanging foundation of an endlessly dynamic society. He embraced the market and the amazing transportation and communications revolutions beginning to take hold. He helped give birth to the modern industrial economy that arose before the Civil War and that took off after it.

His vision of an upwardly mobile society that rewards and supports individual striving was wondrously realized. Now it is under threat. Economic stagnation and social breakdown are undermining mobility and the American way. To meet these challenges, Rich Lowry draws us back to the lessons of Lincoln. It is imperative, he argues, to preserve a fluid economy and the bourgeois virtues that make it possible for individuals to thrive within it.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B009NQZX3Q
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Broadside e-books (June 11, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 11, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 6141 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 287 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 83 ratings

About the author

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Rich Lowry

Rich Lowry

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Rich Lowry was named editor of National Review in 1997 by the magazine’s founder, William F. Buckley Jr. He writes a twice-weekly syndicated column and appears frequently as a political commentator on public-affairs programs. He is the author of "Lincoln Unbound: How an Ambitious Young Railsplitter Saved the American Dream—and How We Can Do It Again" and "Legacy: Paying the Price for the Clinton Years," a New York Times bestseller. @RichLowry

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
83 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Eric Mayforth
5.0 out of 5 stars Freedom and Dynamism Always Work
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2013
Verified Purchase
Abraham Lincoln was one of the greatest statesmen in our history, holding the country together and maintaining a fervent belief in what we refer to as the American Dream. Rich Lowry's "Lincoln Unbound" is a brilliant combination of politics and history that looks back on Lincoln's life and career in politics and how it is still relevant even today.

Lowry examines Lincoln's early life, noting that above all Lincoln stood, not just for himself but for everyone else as well, for self-improvement, the extension of opportunity, and the chance to rise through hard work in a dynamic, capitalist society.

The author discusses Lincoln's personal character and traits that made him successful in politics. The future president originally joined the Whig Party--the Whigs do not completely line up with either of our modern-day major parties, but in Lincoln's day combined a belief in self-control, rationality, and middle-class morality with a push for modernization, invention, public improvements, and opportunity. Lincoln rejected class politics and revered the Founders and the Constitution. Lowry also recalls the Lincoln-Douglas debates and why Lincoln thought slavery wrong.

Lincoln's vision of a free, dynamic, industrialized, capitalist society full of opportunity triumphed. Lowry shows how President Lincoln's economic policies helped win the Civil War, and those same policies ultimately led America to become the world's foremost power and win both World War II and the Cold War in the twentieth century. Twenty-first century liberal Democrats attempt to appropriate Lincoln for their cause today, but Lowry convincingly argues otherwise--after finishing this book, it would be virtually impossible to imagine Lincoln approving of the "you work, I'll eat" and "you work, I'll go to the doctor" income transfer programs enacted in the last 80 years.

Lowry closes by acknowledging that growth has slowed and stagnation has set in today in our country, and posits what Lincoln would propose to get us moving again were he in public life today. "Lincoln Unbound" is both a challenging and enjoyable look back at one of the greatest Americans ever and a reminder that his core prescriptions are timely in any century.
26 people found this helpful
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Author/Reviewer Geri Ahearn
5.0 out of 5 stars "A COLORFUL, STUNNING PORTRAIT OF PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN!"
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2013
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New York Times bestselling author, Rich Lowry chronicles a comprehensive, historical narrative,rich in history and politics as this compelling story entertains throughout. The author presents information on what Lincoln believed in as he stepped into political power,his influence on the market, transportation, and the communication revolution. In addition, Rich Lowry shares with his readers on how challenges were met, arguments on preserving a good economy, and why economic freedom is a crucial factor to keeping the American dream. The author recaptures Lincoln policy, a strong society, and morals and values that bring rewards. Information is also presented on Lincoln opposing slavery, and the importance of dignity and respect for all. This fascinating account of Lincoln's life highlights what's essential for the promise of America, and why Lincoln's ambitions are extremely relevant for conservatives today. Powerfully moving, informative, interesting, thought-provoking and educational. A very enjoyable read. Highly recommended!
55 people found this helpful
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David J Kent
4.0 out of 5 stars Two books in one. The first works; the second doesn't.
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2013
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Rich Lowry is a conservative pundit and editor, and this is reflected in his last of only six chapters in the book. If you are interested in Abraham Lincoln, read the first five chapters and don't waste your time on the final chapter. If you are looking for far right wing talking points, go straight to the final chapter, which presents current day "conservative" principles vaguely wrapped in the authors' view of Lincoln's beliefs.

The odd thing is that the first book, i.e., chapters one through five, provides some valuable insight and interpretation of Lincoln's upbringing, values, and views on the grand questions of the day. Lowry correctly identifies Lincoln's remarkable ambition and desire to rise from meager beginnings and make something of himself in the world. Lowry also discusses Lincoln's belief in government-sponsored "improvements" in infrastructure, modernization, and industrialization. He also delves into Lincoln's own inventiveness and appreciation of the emerging technologies of the day - railroads, canals, weapons during the Civil War, just to name a few.

The writing often rambles, but its unevenness shouldn't significantly lessen the reader's ability to garner the historical significance of Lincoln's belief that hard work was a path toward advancement, both of individuals and the country. Lowry's discussion of Lincoln's views with respect to racism and slavery, as well as his debates with Stephen A. Douglas are sometimes out of sync with more scholarly historians, but are nevertheless important interpretations to consider, even if after doing so you don't agree with him. Overall, Lowry has offered valuable insights not seen in more academic and scholarly biographies of our sixteenth president.

Which makes the final chapter so bizarre. Lowry makes valid points when he sticks to reporting Lincoln's views from the perspective of Lincoln's time period. But when he tries to force fit Lincoln into somehow approving of far right wing screed and surreality the author reveals his own biases. Here he often suggests Lincoln would disdain today's government (as Lowry clearly does) but then provides information that would lead many to conclude the opposite. The creation of false premises to support a pre-defined conclusion is a common problem with pundits flying on the extreme wings of either party, and Lowry puts these on vivid display in this final chapter. While likely this was the main purpose of producing the book in the first place, the author would have been better to leave out this particular chapter. It cheapens an otherwise informative book.

So read the first five chapters. Think about Abraham Lincoln and his times. Then learn your own lessons from Lincoln and ignore the disjointed, unsupported, polemic at the end.
8 people found this helpful
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Geoff Puterbaugh
5.0 out of 5 stars The Lincoln few people know
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2013
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There are lots of books about Lincoln the War President. There are not so many about Lincoln emerging from poverty as a devoted Whig.

Whig? What did that mean?

It meant that Lincoln was devoted to the Founding Fathers, and also to the ideas of self-improvement through hard work (he knew all about that), private property, and free markets.

In fact, while reading about Lincoln's political beliefs, I realized that I was a Whig! :-)

Needless to say, our greatest President disagreed with Obama about everything.
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Cliente Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
Reviewed in Spain on August 3, 2017
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A great book that will keep your motivation up and enable you to learn something about the history of America even if you are not an expert.
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