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Our ancient faith : Lincoln, democracy, and the American experiment Cover Image

Our ancient faith : Lincoln, democracy, and the American experiment / Allen C. Guelzo.

Guelzo, Allen C., (author.).

Summary:

"An intimate study of Abraham Lincoln's powerful vision of democracy, which guided him through the Civil War and is still relevant today-by best-selling historian and three-time winner of the Lincoln Prize Abraham Lincoln grappled with the greatest crisis of democracy that has ever confronted the United States. While many books have been written about his temperament, judgment, and steady hand in guiding the country through the Civil War, we know less about Lincoln's penetrating ideas and beliefs about democracy, which were every bit as important as his character in sustaining him through the crisis. Allen C. Guelzo, one of America's foremost experts on Lincoln, captures the president's firmly held belief that democracy was the greatest political achievement in human history. He shows how Lincoln's deep commitment to the balance between majority and minority rule enabled him to stand firm against secession while also committing the Union to reconciliation rather than recrimination in the aftermath of war. In bringing his subject to life as a rigorous and visionary thinker, Guelzo assesses Lincoln's actions on civil liberties and his views on race, and explains why his vision for the role of government would have made him a pivotal president even if there had been no Civil War. Our Ancient Faith gives us a deeper understanding of this endlessly fascinating man and shows how his ideas are still sharp and relevant more than 150 years later."-- Provided by publisher.

Record details

ISBN: 9780593534441
ISBN: 0593534441
ISBN: 9780593467688
ISBN: 059346768X
Physical Description: xv, 247 pages ; 22 cm
Edition: First edition.
Publisher: New York : Alfred A. Knopf, [2024]
Copyright: ©2024

Content descriptions

General Note:	"This is a Borzoi Book published by Alfred A. Knopf."
Bibliography, etc. Note:	Includes bibliographical references (pages 173-227) and index.
Formatted Contents Note:	Introduction: The disposition of Democracy -- The cause of human liberty -- Law, reason, and passion -- An American system -- Political economy and the nation -- Democratic culture -- Democracy and civil liberties -- Democracy and race -- Democracy and emancipation -- Democracy's deficits -- Epilogue: What if Lincoln had lived.