And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle

I am a big fan of both Meacham and Lincoln. I believe that “And There Was Light” is a truthful, unbiased nonfiction account of American history that deserves five stars. Abraham Lincoln guided our nation through its most perilous times. I read the hardback version and it worked well with my reading glasses. The story flowed smoothly from start to finish and was a very good read. I think this book should be part of every high school history/civics curriculum with a student evaluation prior to graduation. To be clear, Abraham Lincoln’s vision was the union without slavery. His was the just and honorable cause to align our values with those described in the Declaration of Independence – all men are created equal with the very basic human rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This cause was patriotic and defined America. His goal was accomplished but only after the American Civil War claimed an estimated 750,000 combatants. In retrospect and very simply stated, the confederate cause was unjust, dishonorable, unpatriotic and morally offensive. The just cause prevailed and the union was restored. However, the confederates chose to replace slavery with white supremacy and segregation. White supremacy was, is and always will be domestic terrorism in political, social and economic terms and strategies. Even today, it also often delivers both overt/covert discrimination, harassment and physical violence. It is unamerican and not patriotic. As Meacham wraps up his book, Lincoln is described as having had the following leadership qualities: “absolute truth, stern resolution, clear insight, solemn faithfulness, courage that cannot be daunted and hopefulness that cannot be dashed.” I would only add that Abraham Lincoln was a unique, tireless, selfless servant to our nation, its laws and We the People. He gave the last full measure and we all (past, present and future citizens) should be eternally grateful for his sacrifice. To sound the clarion call in 2023, there is a sizeable minority amongst us and in our government bodies. This modern day white supremist, right wing conservative movement is neither patriotic nor American. It was clearly on display at our nation’s Capital on January 6th. It is the essence of pure evil. It is a clear and present danger and there is no Lincoln like American hero/leader to get our democratic republic experiment back on track to shine the light of hope and liberty across the world. Footnote: My family and I were finally notified to appear before the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of North Carolina in Fayetteville, NC on 11/30/1966. This to be the final task to obtain our US citizenship. It had taken 2 years and some money to get to this point. The presiding judge was Samuel A. Howard. We appeared before him separately. His duty was to evaluate our ability to speak and comprehend English. His question to me: “Who was Abraham Lincoln?” My response was: “Abraham Lincoln was the President of the United States who freed the slaves.” His response: “No, that is not correct. Abraham Lincoln saved the union.” My response: “Why yes, he did but he also freed the slaves. Was I now disqualified for citizenship?” He replied: "No, you are not disqualified." Later that day, he administered the oath and we became US citizens. That is one pursuit that I have never regretted.

This is an excellent review of Abrham Lincoln’s life. I strongly recommend it.

From the outset, it's clear that Mitchun has a deep and abiding reverence for Abraham Lincoln, and this comes through in the meticulous research and attention to detail that he brings to his subject. The book is a comprehensive examination of Lincoln's life, from his humble beginnings to his rise to the presidency and the ultimate sacrifice he made for his country. What sets "And There Was Light" apart from other works on Lincoln is the way that Mitchun situates the president within the larger context of American history. Mitchun deftly weaves in discussions of the Civil War, the abolitionist movement, and other key events and figures of the time, showing how Lincoln's actions and decisions were shaped by the complex political and social landscape of the era. Despite its length and scholarly tone, "And There Was Light" is an accessible and engaging work that will appeal to both casual readers and serious students of history. The writing is clear and compelling, and Mitchun's passion for his subject shines through on every page. Overall, "And There Was Light" is a masterful work of historical scholarship that provides a rich and nuanced portrait of Abraham Lincoln and the world in which he lived. It's a must-read for anyone interested in American history or the life of one of its most iconic figures.

Jon Meacham is one of our finest American historians and Presidential biographers. In this era in which far too many are either unaware of, or have forgotten, American history, his books are there for the ages. It is therefore no surprise that despite the thousands of books on Abraham Lincoln that Meacham still tackles the subject head-on. Though he does not appear to have broken any new ground, Meacham provides an eloquent retelling of the life of Lincoln. Not overlooking Lincoln’s faults, Meacham convincingly demonstrates how Lincoln gradually advanced in his racial views. It seemed the more Lincoln studied the issue of slavery the more he hardened in his determination to end it. Frederick Douglass was no doubt a huge influence on Lincoln. Still, had Lincoln not been “practical” and a disciple of gradualism until the time was right, Lincoln would not have become President and then taken the bold steps needed to end slavery. Our nation owes Abraham Lincoln a debt it can never repay. Meacham is terrific in reinforcing these themes and leaving his readers with the impression of how unique a man Lincoln was and how right he was for the times. Meacham’s treatment of the tumultuous times just before Lincoln’s swearing-in as President in March 1860, including those who threatened violence and wanted Vice-President John Breckinridge (a future Confederate general) to refuse to certify the electoral vote from each State, is a chilling reminder how easily Americans can forget and/or ignore their history. The quotes from Winfield Scott about taking actions against those lawless miscreants who wanted to stop the electoral count are timeless and priceless. There are other dramatic moments related in the book. Why then can I not give this book 5 stars? A number of problems, some small. The largest problem I have is the narrative becomes dense at times, almost as if I was a student in a graduate level course in college. The second large problem is the excessive amount of quotations that at times seem to overwhelm the narrative. I enjoy quotes as much as the average history reader, but at times I felt as if I was fighting through the brush of the Wilderness in May 1864 that Union and Confederate soldiers encountered. This problem in particular took away from my enjoyment of the author’s treatment of Lincoln’s second inaugural address in 1864. Compare Meacham’s account with that of Ronald White in his biography, A. Lincoln, and you will easily see how much more accessible White’s account is to the average reader versus the Ph.D version provided by Meacham. I also felt some subjects were given short shrift in sacrifice to unnecessary extended quotes and intellectual analysis, sometimes on minor points. Another reoccurring problem for me was in the photographs and illustrations in the book. While I have no objection in looking at new faces, far too many “unknowns” are included in this book for whom recollection afterwards is only ephemeral at best. Still, Meacham’s book stands near, though not in, the top rank of biographies on Abraham Lincoln. For my money, Ronald White’s biography and Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Team of Rivals collectively provide the best narrative on Abraham Lincoln’s life (still waiting for Sidney Blumenthal to complete his five-volume biography before I pass judgment).

Excellent book about an amazing man. The right man to lead us through the Civil War. One of Jon Meacham’s best.

It seems every Lincoln biography is intrinsically linked to the Civil War. Not so, with Jon Meacham's intimate portrait of our 16th president. Yes, Meacham's biography discuses the Civil War, but only as its relates to Lincoln as president. The heart and soul of Meacham's biography is Lincoln's growth as a lawyer, politician, and president. The key to Lincoln's life is the effect scripture would have on his development as a thinker and writer. For example, Lincoln regularly attended church services while president, and got down on his hands and knees to pray to God for a Union victory at Gettysburg. The highlight of Meacham's book is his analysis of Lincoln's three major speeches: at Cooper Union in New York City, the Gettysburg Address, and the Second Inaugural. Meacham also analyzes Lincoln's war altering Emancipation Proclamation. He breaks down the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, and shows how Lincoln prevailed over Stephen Douglas, a better-educated political opponent. Lincoln's early life was not promising. He was born in a long cabin in the hill country of rural Kentucky. His father was an uneducated dirt farmer, who did not think much of his son's interest in books and learning. While a hard man to please, Lincoln's father was an abolitionist, who had his family regularly attend an anti-slavery Baptist Church. Lincoln's mother died suddenly when he was nine. This was after the Lincoln family had moved to southern Indiana. Soon thereafter, his father met and married Sarah Bush, who immediately recognized that young Abe was unusually bright, and encouraged him to pursue learning. Meacham writes a great deal about Lincoln's love of books and his life-long pursuit of learning. Critically, from a very young age, Lincoln opposed slavery. The mere sight of manacled African Americans could make him ill. When Lincoln was a teen his family moved to New Salem, Illinois, where Lincoln would grow into manhood. All the while, Lincoln was wracked with doubt, and occasionally suffered from depression. As a young man, politics consumed Lincoln's interest, and he ran and won a seat in the Illinois State Legislature. While living in the state capital of Alton, he became an admirer of the leader of the Whig Party, Senator Henry Clay, a staunch abolitionist. After leaving office, Lincoln moved to Springfield, and took up the study of law. Having passed the bar exam, he began riding the state's southern circuit, as a successful country lawyer. While in his mid-twenties, Lincoln met and married a woman from a prominent Kentucky family. This was Mary Todd, an attractive and bright young lady, with a volcanic temper. Despite their stormy relationship, the two were wed, and had three sons. At the same time, the nation was becoming increasingly embroiled over the issue of slavery, particularly after the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, a law that was written by a northeast Congressman, who now resided in Springfield. This was a pro-slavery advocate named Stephen A. Douglas. After hearing Douglas speak in public several times, Lincoln proposed the two begin a public debate. Douglas accepted, and the two traveled throughout Illinois, debating the volatile issue of slavery. This was, of course, the famed Lincoln-Douglas debates that would make Lincoln a national political figure. To help promote himself, Lincoln accepted a speaking engagement at Cooper Union, in New York City. The sophisticated New Yorkers came away deeply impressed with what this midwesterner had to say, especially about his views on slavery. After that Lincoln continued his speaking tour through the northeast. The following summer, on the third ballot, the Republican party nominated Abraham Lincoln as their candidate for president. At this point, the nation was very much aware of Lincoln's stand on the slavery issue, particularly below the Mason-Dixon Line. After he was elected, several southern states announced they were seceding from the Union. When Lincoln arrived in Washington, the capital was awash in a state of agitation. Few believed Lincoln would survive his journey, or having arrived safely, live long enough to give his inaugural address. And that's how it was throughout all four years of the bloody civil war, with Lincoln living under a constant threat on his life. For two years the war went badly for the Union's Army of the Potomac, until Lincoln found a general who would fight. This was a fellow midwesterner, named Ulysses S. Grant. Despite Grant's success in leading the Army of the Potomac into northern Virginia, intrigues continued to agitate the capital, with endless proposals of compromise settlements. All the while, Lincoln would not be deterred from his goal of ending southern slavery, kept his head during the 1864 presidential election, which he expected to lose, but to his astonishment, actually won. That spring, Confederate General Robert E. Lee's surrendered at Appomattox, thus ending the American Civil War. Washington was in a celebratory mood, as Lincoln and his wife made their way to the Ford's Theater. By the following morning, word spread that Lincoln had been killed by an assassin, resulting in dark mood descending upon upon Washington, and throughout all the towns and cities above the Mason-Dixon. "Now he belongs to the ages," lamented Edwin Stanton, Lincoln's Secretary of War. Lincoln's name would join a long list of martyrs who had been killed, while making the world a better place. Indeed, Lincoln ended slavery in the United States, and freed the lives of some four million Black Americans.

In "And There Was Light," Jon Meacham takes on another iconic American in Abraham Lincoln. Meacham won the Pulitzer Prize for his earlier treatment of Andrew Jackson in American Lion, and regularly makes the bestseller lists with his biographies. Thus, it should be no surprise that with a book subtitled, "Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle," Meacham finds himself again highly touted for his work. The praise is, of course, deserved. Technically, the book is a biography of Lincoln’s life, but essentially it is also a commentary on Lincoln’s values, the struggles he overcame to go from frontier farm boy to president of the United States, and more importantly, how those values fell into conflict with the defining issue of the day – slavery. As he progresses through life, Lincoln’s integrity, sense of fairness, and desire to “better his condition” dovetail with the nation’s struggle to uphold those venerated words from the Declaration of Independence, “all men are created equal.” To Lincoln, these words were the heart of Americanism. Southern slaveholders had a different view, especially after the Missouri Compromise made it clear that the federal government considered slavery no better than “a necessary evil” whose expansion should be curtailed. To the slave powers, slavery became not an evil but “a positive good” and “a national benefit.” As Meacham takes us through Lincoln’s life, he shows his growth as a politician as well as in his humanity. Lincoln never demonizes slaveholders but does clearly state that slavery is immoral. More and more he speaks out against slavery, struggling to find a way to arrest the spread of the institution in such a way as to put it on a path toward its ultimate extinction, all while understanding that federal authority to take action was constrained by the Constitution. Eventually he is elected president on the platform of restricting expansion but not acting against slavery in states where it already existed. And still there was secession and war as slave powers would not take hands off for an answer. The only way to satisfy them, Lincoln notes, is to “cease to call slavery wrong and join them in calling it right…in acts as well as in words. Silence will not be tolerated—we must place ourselves avowedly with them.” This was a bridge too far. To question slavery, in slaveholders’ minds, was to question the white South’s values, faith, and intelligence. Slavery was integral to the Southern way of life. Limit slavery and you limit the reach of white Southerners, according to Meacham. And thereby is the crux that remains so today. How does one defend an evil? By simply relabeling it as a good. Lincoln understood that such self-deceptions were ingrained, not just with the wealthy who believed they deserved their privilege, but with the poor whites who believed they had more in common with rich whites than poor blacks. How to resolve this inherent self-deception? This conflict between reality and delusion? Meacham doesn’t answer this because there is no good answer, either in Lincoln’s time or our own. But Lincoln understood that the value of “all men are created equal” was worth striving for because a nation to be saved must be a nation worth saving. As abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison observed after the assassination, those like him who had struggled for the end of slavery for so long thought “Mr. Lincoln has seemed exceedingly slow in all his emancipatory measures…Yet what long strides he has taken in the right direction, and never a backward step.” In Meacham’s treatise, he seems to be asking us in the modern age to continue striving forward, relying on Lincoln’s strength to not take any backward steps in the struggle to reach that more perfect union that has thus far eluded us. David J. Kent Author of "Lincoln: The Fire of Genius" President, Lincoln Group of DC

This is by far one of the most important books every American should read to understand WHY Abraham Lincoln is so highly regarded by virtually all Americans. Reading this book, published in 2022, is especially important to see the extremely vivid and dangerous contrast between Lincoln's character and that of Trump. Meacham's work is a masterpiece.

An excellent single volume biography of Lincoln focusing on his presidency. Jon Meacham tackles his subject with characteristic verve and the entertaining narrative skill that sets him apart from the pack of uninspiring historians.

In this world of chaos and confusion abraham lincoln's memory does shed light. As the first citizen of the United States and its consistently greatest president he was tough but human and had a cause greater than himself which is what historian jon meacham brought out beautifully. A really good read for people who wish to expand their horizons and understand deeper matters.

This is a very nteresting biography. It is different than many, it analyzes Lincoln’s inner thoughts and moral judgments.

interesting as always to read about this great person

Chegou ok