We Cannot Escape History: Lincoln and the Last Best Hope of Earth - Hardcover

McPherson, James

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0252021908 ISBN 13: 9780252021909

Publisher: University of Illinois Press, 1995

Synopsis

A who's who of Lincoln scholars explores why Lincoln considered the Union the "last best hope of earth", and how his words and deeds have continued to shape the nation through modern times. Focusing on Lincoln's view of American history and his legacy for the United States and the world, this volume demonstrates the complexity of the problems Lincoln faced and the genius of his leadership in preserving the nation while purging it of slavery.

About this title

Review

"[A] briskly readable inspection of current concerns in the field [ranging] broadly from standard views of familiar topics to innovative explorations." -- John Y. Simon, American Historical Review "This group of distinguished scholars, brought together by James McPherson, demonstrates the utility of looking at old problems anew... We Cannot Escape History is a valuable book for students of American politics and the Civil War." -- Wallace T. Hettle, Georgia Historical Quarterly "[These essays] open many new perspectives on Lincoln's thoughts about slavery, nationalism, democracy, equality, war, and peace... [A] fine set of essays." -- Robert J. Havlik, H-Net Book Reviews "Uniformly excellent ... this collection's variety should sate readers with an unslakable thirst for Lincoln and tempt former tipplers at the always flowing Lincolniana biblio-tap." -- Booklist

About the Author

James M. McPherson is a distinguished Civil War historian. He won the 1989 Pulitzer Prize for his book BATTLE CRY OF FREEDOM: THE CIVIL WAR ERA. His other publications include MARCHING TOWARD FREEDOM: BLACKS IN THE CIVIL WAR, Second Edition (1991); ORDEAL BY FIRE: THE CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION, Third Edition (2001); ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND THE SECOND AMERICAN REVOLUTION (1991); FOR CAUSE AND COMRADES: WHY MEN FOUGHT IN THE CIVIL WAR (1997), which won the Lincoln Prize in 1998; CROSSROADS OF FREEDOM: ANTIETAM (2002); HALLOWED GROUND: A WALK AT GETTYSBURG (2003); and TRIED BY WAR: ABRAHAM LINCOLN AS COMMANDER IN CHIEF (2008), which won the Lincoln Prize for 2009. Professor McPherson served as president of the American Historical Association (2003-2004).

Edition details

• Publisher: University of Illinois Press
• Publication date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0252021908
• ISBN 13: 9780252021909
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 184