The Lincoln-Douglas Debates
By Harold HolzerPublisher Description
This authoritative edition of the Lincoln-Douglas debates from a leading Lincoln historian brings to life the passions that divided nineteenth-century America.
The seven debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas held during the Illinois senatorial race of 1858 include some of the most important statements in American political history. Taken together, they embody the nation’s dramatic struggles over the issues that would lead to the Civil War: the virtues of a republic and the evils of slavery.
So contentious were these debates that two newspapers attempted to record and publish the proceedings verbatim. In this acclaimed book, Lincoln historian Harold Holzer brings us as close as possible to what Lincoln and Douglas actually said. Using transcripts of Lincoln’s speeches as recorded by the pro-Douglas newspaper, and vice-versa, he offers the most reliable and accurate record of the debates available. Also included are background on the sites, crowd comments, and a new introduction.
“A vivid, boisterous picture of politics during our most divisive period. . . . This fresh, fascinating examination . . . deserves a place in all American history collection[s].”—Library Journal
The seven debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas held during the Illinois senatorial race of 1858 include some of the most important statements in American political history. Taken together, they embody the nation’s dramatic struggles over the issues that would lead to the Civil War: the virtues of a republic and the evils of slavery.
So contentious were these debates that two newspapers attempted to record and publish the proceedings verbatim. In this acclaimed book, Lincoln historian Harold Holzer brings us as close as possible to what Lincoln and Douglas actually said. Using transcripts of Lincoln’s speeches as recorded by the pro-Douglas newspaper, and vice-versa, he offers the most reliable and accurate record of the debates available. Also included are background on the sites, crowd comments, and a new introduction.
“A vivid, boisterous picture of politics during our most divisive period. . . . This fresh, fascinating examination . . . deserves a place in all American history collection[s].”—Library Journal
Download the free Fable app
Stay organized
Keep track of what you’re reading, what you’ve finished, and what’s next.Build a better TBR
Swipe, skip, and save with our smart list-building toolRate and review
Share your take with other readers with half stars, emojis, and tagsCurate your feed
Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesNo Reviews
About Harold Holzer
Harold Holzer is Roger Hertog Fellow at the New-York Historical Society and one of the nation’s leading authorities on Lincoln and the political culture of the Civil War era. He is chairman of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Foundation and has written, co-written, or edited forty-seven books, most recently Lincoln and the Power of the Press.
Other books by Harold Holzer
Start a Book Club
Start a public or private book club with this book on the Fable app today!FAQ
Do I have to buy the ebook to participate in a book club?
Why can’t I buy the ebook on the app?
How is Fable’s reader different from Kindle?
Do you sell physical books too?
Are book clubs free to join on Fable?
How do I start a book club with this book on Fable?