So much has been written about Lincoln. However, a relatively new core book by Meacham sheds a special light on the last two years of the Civil War. It particularly emphasizes the agony Lincoln faced with the issue of slavery. Did Lincoln believe slavery could be abolished? What did he think his Emancipation Proclamation would accomplish? Was the Country in favor of Lincoln's efforts? What would the election of 1864 bring?
All these pertinent questions and more are addressed in Meacham's book. Meacham believes Lincoln was torn between his love for the nation and how the slavery issue was tearing apart the sinews of society. I was inspired, also, by Spielberg's Lincoln and how the president made sure the Emancipation Proclamation and the proposed 13th amendment reached the full powers of the Congress. All that will be addressed in this S/DG. Lincoln spoke bravely and manipulated courageously as a politician to make sure Blacks have equal rights. I even liked the portrayal by Tommy Lee Jones as one of the courageous congressmen, Thaddeus Stevens. I was amazed by Lincoln's dedication to moral courage by having the bill, the amendment, accept Blacks as equals pass through the Senate.
It must have been trying times to face the South still pursuing the war in 1864-65 with little end in sight. After all, until the battle for First Bull Run, the South's efforts should be soon over. Lincoln had to write so many grieving widows and mothers about their sons dying in battle during those terrible four years, Lincoln pursued difficult policies with reverence for the Bible.
Meacham drives home the point that America is the last best hope, and it is possible to achieve goodness. To Lincoln, slavery must occur on a path to "ultimate extinction." The saviing of the Union and the emancipation of slaves went hand in hand.
Come to this S/DG with the admiration for Lincoln and the appreciation this country still has to achieve for the greatness of Lincoln's vision.
It is important to offer an S/DG that catalogs the agonies of Lincoln as he personally and philosophically confronts the horrors and treatment of slaves and slavery. The question needs to be asked: Does Lincoln's vision run true today?
