Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865

Abraham Lincoln was the greatest writer of the Civil War as well as its greatest political leader. His clear, beautiful, and at times uncompromisingly severe language forever shaped the nation's
understanding of its most terrible conflict. This volume, along with its companion, Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1832-1858, comprises the most comprehensive selection ever published. Over 550 speeches, messages, proclamations, letters, and other writings--including the Inaugural and Gettysburg addresses and the moving condolence letter to Mrs. Bixby--record the words and deeds with which Lincoln defended, preserved, and redefined the Union.

LIBRARY OF AMERICA is an independent nonprofit cultural organization founded in 1979 to preserve our nation's literary heritage by publishing, and keeping permanently in print, America's best and most significant writing. The Library of America series includes more than 300 volumes to date, authoritative editions that average 1,000 pages in length, feature cloth covers, sewn bindings, and ribbon markers, and are printed on premium acid-free paper that will last for centuries.

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) was the sixteenth president of the United States, guiding the nation through the Civil War before becoming one of its final vicitims, assasinated at Ford’s Theater in Washington on April 15, 1865, less than a week after the surrender of the Confederate army at Appomattox.

Don E. Fehrenbacher (1920-1997) was professor of history at Stanford University. He was the author of several books, including Prelude to Greatness: Lincoln in the 1850’s, The Dred Scott Case: Its Significance in American Law and Politics, and Lincoln in Text and Context.