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jmdaly95's review against another edition
4.0
Book 7 of 40
There are more books out there about Lincoln then pollen in Atlanta in the spring. In Founders' Son Richard Brookhiser writes about Lincoln's political philosophy and its development and how it figured into his actions in the presidency.
Lincoln was a believer in the Founders and was aware that the Founders were anti-slavery but at the same time rational about how far they could go in destroying slavery because they need to have a unified country. Lincoln's core sources for his philosophy were Washington, Thomas Pain, Henry Clay, Thomas Jefferson/Declaration of Independence, The Preamble to the Constitution/Gouverneur Morris, and God.
Brookhiser devotes chapter to each and then shows how that persons ideals get incorporated into Lincoln's speeches and governing actions. Washington is self explanatory being the first to create the executive. Lincoln believed strongly in the language and philosophy of the Declaration but like myself Lincoln feels that Jefferson is a hypocrite and fails to live and govern my his greatest work.
Lincoln does feel that Gouverneur Morris was the driving force of the Constitutions Preamble not Madison. Morris was a strong abolitionist from Pennsylvania who pushed to have slavery limited by the new government but was limited by needing a unified 13 states and already having 2 hold outs.
Brookhiser also spends time talking about Lincoln's relationship with religion which is a complicated one that has been well documented before. But Brookhiser looks past Lincoln's personal's beliefs and focuses how Lincoln uses the Bible to further his arguments against first the expansion of slavery but then to the abolition of slavery.
Overall an excellent book that sticks to its goal of attempting to define and examine the roots of Lincoln's political philosophy.
There are more books out there about Lincoln then pollen in Atlanta in the spring. In Founders' Son Richard Brookhiser writes about Lincoln's political philosophy and its development and how it figured into his actions in the presidency.
Lincoln was a believer in the Founders and was aware that the Founders were anti-slavery but at the same time rational about how far they could go in destroying slavery because they need to have a unified country. Lincoln's core sources for his philosophy were Washington, Thomas Pain, Henry Clay, Thomas Jefferson/Declaration of Independence, The Preamble to the Constitution/Gouverneur Morris, and God.
Brookhiser devotes chapter to each and then shows how that persons ideals get incorporated into Lincoln's speeches and governing actions. Washington is self explanatory being the first to create the executive. Lincoln believed strongly in the language and philosophy of the Declaration but like myself Lincoln feels that Jefferson is a hypocrite and fails to live and govern my his greatest work.
Lincoln does feel that Gouverneur Morris was the driving force of the Constitutions Preamble not Madison. Morris was a strong abolitionist from Pennsylvania who pushed to have slavery limited by the new government but was limited by needing a unified 13 states and already having 2 hold outs.
Brookhiser also spends time talking about Lincoln's relationship with religion which is a complicated one that has been well documented before. But Brookhiser looks past Lincoln's personal's beliefs and focuses how Lincoln uses the Bible to further his arguments against first the expansion of slavery but then to the abolition of slavery.
Overall an excellent book that sticks to its goal of attempting to define and examine the roots of Lincoln's political philosophy.
everdee19's review against another edition
3.0
Well researched but at times comes off like a college essay - the analysis is obvious and not super deep.
aloyokon's review against another edition
4.0
A look at the 16th president's career through the lens of his relations to the Founding Fathers. Although Lincoln never met any of the Founders (the last of the Founding Generation were exiting the scene just as Lincoln was growing up), he alluded to them often in his speeches and arguments, and he looked to them for inspiration as he advanced to Congressman and President. I am particularly impressed by Brookhiser's contrast of Lincoln's relations to the Founders and Lincoln's very strained relations with his biological father.
chewdigestbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not sure that Brookhiser ever proved his point completely that Lincoln really called on and looked back on the Founding Fathers constantly. In some speeches, decisions, and discussions, yes and in others, no, they were not his impetus.
Either way, it was a wonderful read for our current political times. Whether Lincoln did or not, maybe it is time that we call upon our Founding Fathers to direct us. (Now I'm totally picturing Washington and Jefferson Zombies, so not what I mean.)
Either way, it was a wonderful read for our current political times. Whether Lincoln did or not, maybe it is time that we call upon our Founding Fathers to direct us. (Now I'm totally picturing Washington and Jefferson Zombies, so not what I mean.)
stephend81d5's review
3.0
got this free from netgalley for a honest review.. very detailed account looking at the life of Lincoln by referring to the founding fathers of the American nation but however felt the book in parts very hard going and could of been shorter but did learn more about America emerging from the shadows and ghosts of the founding days and the increasing problem of slavery