Lincoln and His World

Richard Lawrence Miller

• Publisher: Stackpole Books
• Year: 2008
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• eBook ISBN:
  9780811749565
• Subtopic: Political Biographies
• Index: Politics & International Relations

• Places Lincoln in historical context
• Firsthand sources create an authentic portrait
In the second volume of this monumental Lincoln biography, the young Illinois politician is challenged by Stephen Douglas--brilliant organizer of the Illinois Democratic Party, perennial officeholder and candidate, and unscrupulous when publicly debating Lincoln. Lincoln and his fellow Whigs go on the attack as Democrats split into two factions.
Rhetorical violence becomes physical as Whig mobs attack and politicians attempt murder. Lincoln publicly asks whether democracy can endure under such conditions. Yet Lincoln more than once takes politically unpopular stances condemning slavery and defending rights of free blacks in Illinois.
The second volume of Lincoln and His World also explores Lincoln's private life: his romances with Ann Rutledge and wealthy plantation belle Mary Owens, his intimate friendship with Joshua Speed, and a stormy, loving relationship with the vivacious and passionate Mary Todd.
Rather than concentrate on how Lincoln affected the world, author Richard Lawrence Miller shows how the world affected Lincoln, placing Lincoln in historical context to help readers to understand him. Presenting numerous firsthand recollections, Miller lets participants speak for themselves, an approach reflecting his years in public radio script writing.

Table of contents

• Front Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Preface
• Chapter 1 FIRST TERM IN STATE LEGISLATURE: WINTER OF 1834–1835
• Chapter 2 RETURN TO NEW SALEM
• Chapter 3 SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION: WINTER OF 1835–1836
• Chapter 4 POLITICS OF 1836
• Chapter 5 SECOND TERM IN LEGISLATURE: WINTER OF 1836–1837
• Chapter 6 SPRINGFIELD
• Chapter 7 SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION: SUMMER 1837
• Chapter 8 RETURN TO SPRINGFIELD AND POLITICS OF 1837
• Chapter 9 THE PERPETUATION OF OUR POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS: THOUGHTS OF A MELANCHOLY MAN
• Chapter 10 POLITICS OF 1838
• Chapter 11 THIRD TERM IN LEGISLATURE: WINTER OF 1838–1839
• Chapter 12 POLITICS OF 1839
• Chapter 13 SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION: WINTER OF 1839–1840
• Chapter 14 POLITICS OF 1840
• Chapter 15 FOURTH TERM IN LEGISLATURE: WINTER OF 1840–1841
• Chapter 16 MARY TODD
• Chapter 17 CHALLENGES OF 1841
• Chapter 18 MILESTONE OF 1842
• Notes
• Sources
• Index
• Back Cover
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