From humble beginnings as a self-taught prairie lawyer, beloved U.S. President Abraham Lincoln rose to national leadership over a divided nation during the American Civil War and kept the country together thanks in part to his unparalleled leadership capabilities.
The great speeches collected here serve as a good indicator of how Lincoln's thinking evolved during a turbulent era, especially with regard to his views on state's rights and the role of national governance. One can also track how his outlook on slavery started as a question of constitutional interpretation to growing alarm over a territorial crisis that eventually engulfed the nation in civil conflict. As one studies Lincoln's words, his clear, sober-minded rationale for the course of action he thought the nation should take reflect his legal background, and offer a compelling portrait of the inner workings of a mind that was both decisive when necessary and infused with a burning compassion that nevertheless unclouded his judgement.
We hope these speeches provide a concise introduction to Lincoln's public statements in an era that transformed the country, the Presidency, and the course of history itself.
Included here are the following speeches, presented in chronological order:
- Address Before the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, January 27, 1838
- The House Divided Speech, June 16, 1858
- The Cooper Union Speech, February 27, 1860
- Lincoln's Farewell Address, February 11, 1861
- First inaugural Address, March 4, 1861
- The Emancipation Proclamation, January 1, 1863
- The Gettysburg Address, November 19, 1863
- Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1865
This audio book was recorded by LearnOutLoud.com and is narrated by Seth D. Anderson. Copyright © 2015 LearnOutLoud, Inc. Any reproduction or illegal distribution of the content in any form will result in immediate action against the person concerned.