Lincoln: How Abraham Lincoln Ended Slavery in America: A Companion Book for Young Readers to the Steven Spielberg Film

by Harold Holzer

Overview

A new book—and companion to the Steven Spielberg film—tracing how Abraham Lincoln came to view slavery . . . and came to end it.

Steven Spielberg focused his movie Lincoln on the sixteenth president's tumultuous final months in office, when he pursued a course of action to end the Civil War, reunite the country, and abolish slavery. Invited by the filmmakers to write a special Lincoln book as a companion to the film, Harold Holzer, the distinguished historian and a consultant on the movie, now gives us a fast-paced, exciting new book on Lincoln's life and times, his evolving beliefs about slavery, and how he maneuvered to end it.

The story starts on January 31, 1865—less than three months before Lincoln's assassination—as the president anxiously awaits word on whether Congress will finally vote to pass the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution. Although the Emancipation Proclamation two years earlier had authorized the army to liberate slaves in Confederate territory, only a Constitutional amendment passed by Congress and ratified by three-fourths of the states would end slavery legally everywhere in the country.

Drawing from letters, speeches, memoirs, and documents by Lincoln and others, Holzer goes on to cover Lincoln's boyhood, his moves from Kentucky to Indiana to Illinois, his work as a lawyer and congressman, his unsuccessful candidacies for the U.S. Senate and his victory in two presidential elections, his arduous duties in the Civil War as commander in chief, his actions as president, and his relationships with his family, political rivals, and associates. Holzer provides a fresh view of America in those turbulent times, as well as fascinating insights into the challenges Lincoln faced as he weighed his personal beliefs against his presidential duties in relation to the slavery issue.

The passage of the Thirteenth Amendment would become the crowning achievement of Abraham Lincoln's life and the undisputed testament to his political genius. By viewing his life through this prism, Holzer makes an important passage in American history come alive for readers of all ages.

The book also includes thirty historical photographs, a chronology, a historical cast of characters, texts of selected Lincoln writings, a bibliography, and notes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062265098
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	11/20/2012
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Harold Holzer, one of the country's leading authorities on Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War era, has more than forty books to his credit, including Father Abraham: Lincoln and His Sons and The President Is Shot!. He is a frequent guest on television, acted as a Content Consultant to the Steven Spielberg film Lincoln, and serves as chairman of the Lincoln Bicentennial Foundation. He lives in New York City.

Table of Contents

Introduction viii

Prologue: A "King's Cure" 1

1 The Making of a Liberator 9

2 Romance, Law, and Politics 22

3 The Lincolns Go to Washington 30

4 The Prairies Are on Fire 39

5 Right Makes Might 51

6 The Mystic Chords of Memory 67

7 A People's Conflict 83

8 Fair Warning on Slavery 95

9 The Day of Jubilee 107

10 Fighting for Freedom 118

11 Unfinished Work 133

12 Year of Decision 141

13 A Fitting and Necessary Conclusion 155

14 Death of a Liberator 175

Appendix

Cast of Characters 195

Chronology in Brief 200

Prelinary Emancipation Proclamation 205

Final Emancipation Proclamation 210

Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address 213

Notes 217

Bibliography 223

Acknowledgments 225

About the Author 226

Editorial Reviews

Lincoln historian Holzer (Father Abraham: Lincoln and His Sons) offers a cogent young readers' companion to Steven Spielberg's film, Lincoln. The account opens on January 31, 1865, the day that the Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery passed the House of Representatives (after having failed to do so months earlier). Holzer considerably expands the scope of the story unveiled in the movie and shapes an intuitive standalone book. The author provides cohesive background information on the man who became the Great Emancipator, touching upon his boyhood, early legal and political careers, and family life. The narrative frequently incorporates Lincoln's spoken and written words to convey his true voice, while closely monitoring his evolving stance on slavery and racial equality. The momentum builds steadily as Lincoln runs for a second term, determined not to compromise slaves' freedom by bowing to heavy pressure to end the Civil War. After winning the election deftly and dramatically, he maneuvers the passage of the landmark amendment. An engrossing, well-rounded portrait of Lincoln as a humble, humorous, and passionate politician and humanitarian. Ages 18–up. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

One of the leading authorities on Abraham Lincoln has written a companion book for Steven Spielberg’s newly released film on the 16th president. The book by New York historian and author Harold Holzer, titled “Lincoln: How Abraham Lincoln Ended Slavery in America,” is geared toward young readers.

Lisa Ko

LINCOLN invites young readers to explore Lincoln’s life and times. The book engagingly captures the trials and tribulations of the 16th president, making Lincoln come alive for a new generation. It serves as a worthy companion to a popular film.

J. Michael Martinez

The book is a delight, written for young people who may be discovering Lincoln and the Civil War for the first time. . . This may be the book that brings along a whole new generation of Lincoln fans.

Washington Post

The book is a delight, written for young people who may be discovering Lincoln and the Civil War for the first time. . . This may be the book that brings along a whole new generation of Lincoln fans.

Washington Post

Gr 5 Up—In 14 well-crafted, concise, fact-filled chapters, Holzer offers a biography of the 16th president and narrates the story of passage of the 13th amendment in January 1865, which brought an end to slavery in the United States. Illustrated with historical photographs, the text is filled with quotes from Lincoln's speeches, letters, and other documents, making it a valuable resource for students who can read, and ponder, the actual words of the president. The author depicts Lincoln as the ultimate politician and statesman, who devoted all his strength and skills to the passage of the amendment, and describes his personal journey from a man who hated slavery to one who sought its ultimate abolition. This volume is a companion to the Steven Spielberg film Lincoln and will appeal to readers of all ages. An essential addition to all collections.—Patricia Ann Owens, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges

School Library Journal

One of the leading authorities on Abraham Lincoln has written a companion book for Steven Spielberg’s newly released film on the 16th president. The book by New York historian and author Harold Holzer, titled “Lincoln: How Abraham Lincoln Ended Slavery in America,” is geared toward young readers.

Associated Press Staff

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