"First among Equals": Abraham Lincoln's Reputation During His Administration

One hundred and forty years after his assassination on April 14, 1865, AbrahamLincoln towers more than ever above the landscape of American politics. Inmyth and memory, he is always the Great Emancipator and savior of the Union,second in stature only to George Washington.But was Lincoln always so exalted? Was he, as some historians argue, a poorPresident, deeply disliked, whose legacy was ennobled only by John WilkesBooth's bullet? In this fascinating book, a leading historian finally takes the full measure ofLincoln's reputation. Drawing on a remarkable range of primary documents-speeches, newspaper accounts and editorials, private letters, memoirs, andother sources-Hans L. Trefousse gives us the voices of Lincoln's own time. FromNorth and South, at home and abroad, here are politicians and ordinary people,soldiers and statesmen, abolitionists and slaveholders alike, in a rich chorus ofAmerican opinion. The result is a masterly portrait of Lincoln the President inthe eyes of his fellow Americans.

One hundred and forty years after his assassination on April 14, 1865, AbrahamLincoln towers more than ever above the landscape of American politics. Inmyth and memory, he is always the Great Emancipator and savior of the Union,second in stature only to George Washington.But was Lincoln always so exalted?Was he, as some historians argue, a poorPresident, deeply disliked, whose legacy was ennobled only by John WilkesBooth's bullet?In this fascinating book, a leading historian finally takes the full measure ofLincoln's reputation. Drawing on a remarkable range of primary documents—speeches, newspaper accounts and editorials, private letters, memoirs, andother sources—Hans L. Trefousse gives us the voices of Lincoln's own time. FromNorth and South, at home and abroad, here are politicians and ordinary people,soldiers and statesmen, abolitionists and slaveholders alike, in a rich chorus ofAmerican opinion. The result is a masterly portrait of Lincoln the President inthe eyes of his fellow Americans.

Hans L. Trefousse, Distinguished Professor of History Emeritus at Brooklyn College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, is the author of many acclaimed books, including Rutherford B. Hayes, 1877-1881 and Andrew Johnson: A Biography.