In this landmark work of deep scholarship and insight, eric foner gives us the definitive history of abraham lincoln and the end of slavery in america. A masterwork by the preeminent historian of the civil war era. How the civil war unravelled slavery eric foner opinion. Boston globe, the fiery trial, abraham lincoln and american slavery, eric. There are also brilliant essays on lincoln s literary style, religious beliefs, and family life. Twitter facebook email a well orchestrated examination of lincoln s changing views of slavery, bringing unforeseeable twists and a fresh sense of improbability to a familiar story. Free soil, free labor, free men the ideology of the republican party before the civil war and thought it was an very good book.
See all books authored by eric foner, including give me liberty an american history, volume 1, and reconstruction. Abraham lincoln and american slavery was a little disappointing. In assessing the bancroft prizewinning work of one of americas premiere historians, the natural tendency is simply to throw up ones hands and say, kudos. Sep 29, 2010 after reading ron chernows grant, doris goodwins team of rivals. As we begin a raft of sesquicentennials that will carry us through at least the next half. He has been described as a consummate moralist and a shrewd political operator, a lifelong foe of slavery and an inveterate racist. Lincoln by david donald biography, 1996 the fiery trial. He responded to questions from members of the audience. Eric foner revisits myths of the underground railroad the. Abraham lincoln and american slavery by eric foner.
Oct 08, 2011 eric foner, author of the fiery trial. Indeed, foner is such an apologist for soviet communism that he opposed the breakup of the soviet union and, naturally, invoked abraham lincoln as his reason. If you wish to learn about the man who led the north during the american civil war and issued the emancipation proclamation in 1862 then you are not going to be restricted by choice. At least 15,000 books have been written about abraham lincoln, the 16th president of the united states. Foner is one of the leading historians of 19th century america, and his book won the pulitzer, bancroft, and lincoln prizes. In the vast library on lincoln, foners book stands out as the most sensible and sensitive reading of lincolns lifetime involvement with slavery and the most. The political genius of abraham lincoln and david herbert donalds lincoln, foner s book about lincoln and slavery, the fiery trial. In fact, lincoln comes across in this book as rather consistent throughout his prewar life or at least, during as much as we know of it in his broad outlook on slavery. Oct 19, 2012 historian eric foner will deliver abraham lincoln and the end of american slavery, a public lecture on lincolns transformations on slavery and race, on mon. Boston globe, the fiery trial, abraham lincoln and american slavery, eric foner, 9780393340662.
Lincoln s evolving thoughts on slavery, and freedom abraham lincoln always thought slavery was unjust but struggled with what to do once slavery ended. Eric foner admits his radical jewish background influenced his views of american history new york. Abraham lincoln and american slavery by eric foner in a landmark work of deep scholarship and insight, foner gives us a life of lincoln as it intertwined with slavery, the defining issue of the time and the tragic hallmark of american history. Foner, who was busy writing the fiery trial, his pulitzer prizewinning study of abraham lincolns shifting views of slavery. Looking for flaws in an eric foner book is like looking for flaws in the hope diamond. Abraham lincoln and american slavery and battles for freedom. In the vast library on lincoln, foners book stands out as the most sensible and. Eric foner sets us straight on lincoln and slavery youtube.
Lincolns evolving thoughts on slavery, and freedom. May 17, 2011 how the civil war unravelled slavery eric foner sometimes, historic events happen in the most ad hoc way so it was with benjamin butlers decision to shelter runaway slaves. Eric foner on lincoln and slavery occidental dissent. According to the open syllabus project, foner is the most frequently cited author on college syllabi for history courses. Abraham lincoln and american slavery, gave this years lecture. A much needed booka compelling portrait of the occupy movementthat captures the spirit of the people involved, the crisis that gave occupy birth, and the possibility of genuine change it represents. Sep 26, 2011 eric foner is the author of many awardwinning books on the civil war and reconstruction, including the fiery trial.
From a master historian, the story of lincoln sand the nationstransformation through the crucible. But the book deserves attention, for it contains insights into lincolns era and the ways historians have treated the sixteenth president. Abraham lincoln and american slavery was published in 2010 and received the 2011 pulitzer prize for history. Eric foner books list of books by author eric foner. Give me liberty an american history fifth brief edition vol. Feb 07, 2011 having just finished it, let me say up front that this is the 6th book on lincoln that ive read. He is dewitt clinton professor emeritus of history at columbia university. The fiery trial abraham lincoln and american slavery. In this landmark work of deep scholarship and insight, eric foner gives us the definitive history of lincoln and the end of slavery in america. While many thousands of books deal with lincoln and slavery, eric foner has written the definitive account of this crucial subject, illuminating in a highly original and profound way the interactions of race, slavery, public opinion, politics, and lincolns own character that led to the wholly improbable uncompensated emancipation of some four million slaves. Abraham lincoln and american slavery is a nonfiction book by historical writer eric foner.
Abraham lincoln and america slavery, by eric foner 2010 trial by war, abraham. While many thousands of books deal with lincoln and slavery, eric foner has written the definitive account of this crucial subject, illuminating in a highly original and profound way the interactions of race, slavery, public opinion, politics, and lincoln s own character that led to the wholly improbable uncompensated emancipation of some four million slaves. Abraham lincoln and american slavery according to an announcement this morning by prize sponsors gettysburg college and the gilder lehrman institute of american history. Published on oct 6, 2010 eric foner on his new book, the fiery trial. A columbia professor tackles what would seem an obvious topic, lincoln and slavery, and sheds new light on it. At his inauguration, 150 years ago, lincoln took a stand against slavery and secession that irrevocably altered american history. Foner has written extensively on history, including a focus on the history of black people in america as well as the civil war. While many thousands of books deal with lincoln and slavery, eric foner has written the definitive account of this crucial subject, illuminating in a highly original. Well, yes, we do if the book is by so richly informed a commentator as eric foner, the dewitt clinton professor of history at columbia.
This is where foner excels, bringing out the nuances and twists involved in taking a. Smarter faster big think is the leading source of expertdriven. Everyone and no onewhich is why the study of the past is a constantly evolving, neverending journey of discovery. Eric foner is the dewitt clinton professor of history at columbia university and the author of a number of books on the civil war and reconstruction, slavery, and nineteenthcentury america, including the prizewinning reconstruction. Conversations host harry kreisler welcomes pulitzer prize winning historian eric foner for a discussion of his book, the fiery trial.
James oakes considers lincoln s views on race and citizenship. He has served as president of the organization of american historians, the american historical association, and the society of american historians. Abraham lincoln and american slavery, by eric foner w. Foner tackles what would seem to be an obvious topic. Eric foner sets us straight on lincoln and slavery. Abraham lincoln and american slaverythe occupy wall street movement arose. A master historian, eric foner draws lincoln and the. Repetitious, full of irrelevant detours, and relentlessly polemical, forced into glory is not likely to convince many readers who do not already believe that lincoln was an inveterate racist.
The publication of eric foners splendid book is timed to coincide with this sesquicentennial, and it certainly takes a brave and determined soul to. Abraham lincoln and american slavery, winner of the pulitzer prize. Millions of readers had already encountered richard hofstadters brilliant portrait of lincoln in the american political tradition, which belittled the emancipation proclamation and pointedly juxtaposed lincolns 1858 speech in chicago affirming the equality of man with his address in proslavery southern illinois the same year insisting that he opposed bringing about in any way the social and political. While many thousands of books deal with lincoln and slavery, eric foner has written the definitive account of this crucial subject, illuminating in a highly original and profound way the. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. Eric foner is the author of many awardwinning books on the civil war and reconstruction, including the fiery trial. Abraham lincoln and american slavery by eric foner published in 2010. He writes extensively on american political history, the history of freedom, the early history of the republican party, africanamerican biography, reconstruction, and historiography, and has been a member of the faculty at the columbia university department of history since 1982. Abraham lincoln and american slavery, published in 2010, applied the historians fascination with ideology to a question that countless authors. Abraham lincoln and american slavery by eric foner, w. Abraham lincoln and american slavery by eric foner online at alibris. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
You pick up very wellknown books on lincoln and you will find almost no reference to his longterm belief in colonization. In this book, foner examines lincoln s thoughts and attitudes toward slavery from early in his life up to the moment he signed the emancipation proclamation and beyond. Any admirer of lincoln and his contribution to the american story will be highly impressed and entertained by mr. It was also awarded both the bancroft prize and the lincoln prize. Abraham lincoln and american slavery abraham lincoln and american slavery by eric foner. Eric foner thinks anew about lincoln and slavery youtube. Norman dietz is a writer, an actor, and a solo performer. They speculated on abraham lincolns plans for the postcivil war period had he not been assassinated, and they discussed the effectiveness. A house divided prestigious lincoln prize goes to eric foner. Share eric foner quotations about slavery, war and labor.
His latest book published in 2010 is the fiery trial. In the preface, the author expresses his intention with this book. Respected historian eric foner s new book, the fiery trial. Eric foner, dewitt clinton professor emeritus of history, specializes in the civil war and reconstruction, slavery, and 19thcentury america. Foner, who will speak at the university of oklahoma oct. Abraham lincoln and american slavery is a historical nonfiction book written by american historian eric foner. The story of emancipation and reconstruction, 2005, etc. Tracing president lincolns thoughts on slavery abraham lincoln always thought slavery was unjust but struggled with what to do once slavery ended. Oct 11, 2010 lincolns evolving thoughts on slavery, and freedom abraham lincoln always thought slavery was unjust but struggled with what to do once slavery ended. Historian eric foner traces how lincolns thoughts about slavery. Buy the fiery trial abraham lincoln and american slavery book. Abraham lincolns fateful address eric foner opinion. Abraham lincoln and american slavery is a nonfiction book by writer eric foner.
Abraham lincoln and american slavery, examines what the president truly believed about human bondage author eric foner. Abraham lincoln has always provided a lens through which americans examine themselves. Eric foner is the dewitt clinton professor of history at columbia university. Oct 06, 2010 eric foner on his new book, the fiery trial. Foner begins with lincoln s youth in indiana and illinois and follows the trajectory of his career across an increasingly tense and shifting political terrain from illinois to washington, d. Abraham lincoln and american slavery audiobook by eric foner. Abraham lincoln and american slavery with eric foner duration. Foner, eric department of history columbia university. This page contains details about the nonfiction book the fiery trial. The conversation focuses on lincoln s relationship to slavery over the course of his career. Abraham lincoln and american slavery by eric foner w.
While many thousands of books deal with lincoln and slavery, eric foner has written the definitive account of this crucial subject, illuminating in a highly original and profound way the interactions of race, slavery, public opinion, politics, and lincoln s own character that led to the wholly improbable uncompensated emancipation of some four. Taking full advantage of the current golden age of lincoln scholarship, foner historycolumbia univ forever free. Abraham lincoln and american slavery reprint by eric foner isbn. Foner characterizes his book as less and more than another biography. He is one of only two persons to serve as president of the organization of american historians, american historical association, and society of american historians. Get 50% off this audiobook at the audiobooksnow online audio book store and download or stream it right to your computer, smartphone or tablet. Most books i have read on the subject tend to make the entire issue of slavery and the civil war far more black and white then the story mr.
In 2006 foner received the presidential award for outstanding teaching at columbia university. Americas unfinished revolution, 18631877, and more on. He is currently writing a book on lincoln and slavery. A master historian, eric foner draws lincoln and the broader history of the period into perfect balance. Abraham lincoln and american slavery by eric foner on free.
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