Why read Lincoln's Greatest Speech?

Book cover of Lincoln's Greatest Speech: The Second Inaugural

Book description

After four years of unspeakable horror and sacrifice on both sides, the Civil War was about to end. On March 4, 1865, at his Second Inaugural, President Lincoln did not offer the North the victory speech it yearned for, nor did he blame the South solely for the sin of…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Lincoln's Greatest Speech as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Richard J. Carwardine

Author

Lincoln’s religious faith, a puzzle to many, has been a central interest of mine. As a young man Lincoln was accused of infidelity; in maturity he made no religious profession. Yet he read and reread the Bible, attended church in Washington, reflected on God’s purposes, and shared ideas with ministers. White has written several studies of Lincoln, including a fine biography, but none surpasses this bright gem of a book. He explains why Lincoln considered his second inaugural address, delivered as the war ended, to be his greatest speech—a sermon rooted in faith. Believing the war to be God’s judgment…

From Richard's list on The best books on the political and moral power that made Abraham Lincoln a great president.