Sep 17, 2019 historian eric foner traces how lincolns thoughts about slavery and freed slaves mirrored americas own transformation in the fiery trial. The political genius of abraham lincoln and david herbert donalds lincoln, foner s book about lincoln and slavery, the fiery trial. A columbia professor tackles what would seem an obvious topic, lincoln and slavery, and sheds new light on it. Respected historian eric foners new book, the fiery trial. But he was also a man of deep convictions when it came to slavery, and during the civil war displayed a remarkable capacity for moral and political growth. The political genius of abraham lincoln and david herbert donalds lincoln, foners book about lincoln and slavery, the fiery trial. When theorists develop elegant explanations of the american founding or the american civil war, for example, the. Foner has more often written from more of a historical perspective, focusing on some theme or a shorter period in the time leading up to, during, and after the civil war. The man who killed slavery, sparked the civil war, and seeded civil rights david s. While many thousands of books deal with lincoln and slavery, eric foner has written the definitive account of this. Abraham lincoln and american slavery and battles for freedom. Eric foner, dewitt clinton professor emeritus of history, specializes in the civil war and reconstruction, slavery, and 19thcentury america.
He writes extensively on american political history, the history of freedom, the early history of the republican party, africanamerican biography, reconstruction, and historiography, and has been a member of the faculty at the columbia university department of history since 1982. Eric foner is dewitt clinton professor of history at columbia university, where he earned his b. Jefferson to lincoln sean wilentz the nation october 31, 2005. As we begin a raft of sesquicentennials that will carry us through at least the next half. This is the first of two foner books i read during the summer of 2018 i also read forever free. Historian eric foner traces how lincolns thoughts about slavery and freed slaves mirrored americas own transformation in the fiery trial. Eric foner gives us the history of lincoln and the end of slavery in america. His books have garnered every major award, including the pulitzer prize for the fiery trial, his study of lincoln and american slavery. It was also awarded both the bancroft prize and the lincoln prize. Americas unfinished revolution, 18631877, and more on.
Eric foner on the perennial relevance of abraham lincoln. We see lincoln, a pragmatic politician grounded in principle, deftly navigating the dynamic politics of antislavery, secession, and civil war. Sep 29, 2010 after reading ron chernows grant, doris goodwins team of rivals. Any admirer of lincoln and his contribution to the american story will be highly impressed and entertained by mr. The fiery trial by eric foner abebooks shop for books. Sep 26, 2011 eric foner is the author of many awardwinning books on the civil war and reconstruction, including the fiery trial. Although naturally antislavery for as long as he can remember, lincoln scrupulously holds to the position that the. In a landmark work of deep scholarship and insight, foner gives us a life of lincoln as it intertwined with slavery, the defining issue of the time and the tragic hallmark of american history. He is one of only two persons to serve as president of the organization of american historians, american historical association, and society of american historians. Abraham lincoln and american slavery, by eric foner. In a landmark work of deep scholarship and insight, foner gives us a life of lincoln as it intertwined with slavery, the defining issue of the time and the tragic.
Abraham lincoln and american slavery by eric foner 2011, paperback at the best. While many thousands of books deal with lincoln and slavery, eric foner has written the definitive account of this crucial subject, illuminating in a highly original and profound way the interactions of race, slavery, public opinion, politics, and lincolns own character that led to the wholly improbable uncompensated emancipation. Abraham lincoln and american slavery, however, lincoln was antislavery but not an abolitionist. Eric foner books list of books by author eric foner. Born in 1809 in the slave state of kentucky, lincoln was taken at 7 to live in southwestern indiana, a region, foner informs us, that was moderate in its views of slavery but pervaded by racism. Oct 11, 2010 lincolns evolving thoughts on slavery, and freedom. Boston globe, the fiery trial, abraham lincoln and american slavery, eric foner, 9780393340662. Abraham lincoln and american slavery, winner of the pulitzer prize. Eric foner is the dewitt clinton professor of history at columbia university. Foner begins with lincoln s youth in indiana and illinois and follows the trajectory of his career across an increasingly tense and shifting political terrain from illinois to washington, d. Lincoln s ideas regarding race and slavery underwent. But, as eric foners new book, the fiery trial, demonstrates, all great changes in human affairs happen in history and through time. Slavery, politics, and the constitution in the early american republic, by george william van cleve and the fiery trial.
Lincoln and the abolitionists john quincy adams, slavery, and the civil war by fred kaplan illustrated. Lincolns evolving thoughts on slavery, and freedom. See all books authored by eric foner, including give me liberty an american history, volume 1, and reconstruction. The fiery trial abraham lincoln and american slavery.
While many thousands of books deal with lincoln and slavery, eric foner has written the definitive account of this crucial subject, illuminating in a highly original. Everyone and no onewhich is why the study of the past is a constantly evolving, neverending journey of discovery. If america ever hopes to resolve its racial dilemmas, we need to repudiate the worst of lincoln, while embracing the best. In assessing the bancroft prizewinning work of one of americas premiere historians, the natural tendency is simply to throw up ones hands and say, kudos. Boston globe, the fiery trial, abraham lincoln and american slavery, eric. Professor foner is the author or editor of over twenty books concentrating on the intersections of intellectual, political and social history and the history of american race relations. Abraham lincoln and american slavery by eric foner. Abraham lincoln and american slavery by eric foner 2010, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. A master historian, eric foner draws lincoln and the broader history of the period into perfect balance. He writes extensively on american political history, the history of freedom, the early history of the republican party, african american biography, reconstruction, and historiography, and has been a member of the faculty at the columbia university department of history since 1982. Abraham lincoln and american slavery by eric foner w. Oct 03, 2010 born in 1809 in the slave state of kentucky, lincoln was taken at 7 to live in southwestern indiana, a region, foner informs us, that was moderate in its views of slavery but pervaded by racism. Abraham lincoln and american slavery is a historical nonfiction book written by american historian eric foner.
This enables scholars to ignore or downplay aspects of lincoln s beliefs with which they are. From a master historian, the story of lincolnsand the nationst. He is dewitt clinton professor emeritus of history at columbia university. Foner, eric department of history columbia university. Eric foner is a history professor at columbia university and the author of several books about the history of american race relations. Historian eric foner traces how lincolns thoughts about slavery. According to the open syllabus project, foner is the most frequently cited author on college syllabi for history courses. Foner s lincoln is a good if flawed individual, indispensable to the political processes that culminated in the abolition of slavery. That is, he considered slavery a violation of the natural rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness enunciated in.
Eric foner revisits myths of the underground railroad the. In this landmark work of deep scholarship and insight, eric foner gives us the definitive history of abraham lincoln and the end of slavery in america. Abraham lincoln and american slavery by eric foner 2011, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. Abraham lincoln and american slavery by foner, eric and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Eric foner revisits myths of the underground railroad. Most books i have read on the subject tend to make the entire issue of slavery and the civil war far more black and white then the story mr. While many thousands of books deal with lincoln and slavery, eric foner has written the definitive account of this crucial subject, illuminating in a highly original and profound way the interactions of race, slavery, public opinion, politics, and lincolns own character that led to the wholly improbable uncompensated emancipation of some four. Abraham lincoln and american slavery by eric foner online at alibris. Eric foner is dewitt clinton professor of history at columbia. Eric foner thinks anew about lincoln and slavery youtube. Eric foner is the author of many awardwinning books on the civil war and reconstruction, including the fiery trial. Eric foner has won a place in the front rank of american historians with books that seem to vacuum up all available sources to. Political theorists and historians have always had an uneasy relationship.
Abraham lincoln and american slavery was a little disappointing. Foner begins with lincolns youth in indiana and illinois and follows the trajectory of his career across an increasingly tense and shifting political terrain from illinois to washington, d. Eric foner is the preeminent historian of the civil war era. While many thousands of books deal with lincoln and slavery, eric foner has written the definitive account of this crucial subject, illuminating in a highly original and profound way the interactions of race, slavery, public opinion, politics, and lincoln s own character that led to the wholly improbable uncompensated emancipation of some four million. While many thousands of books deal with lincoln and slavery, eric foner has written the definitive account of this crucial subject, illuminating in a highly original and profound way the interactions of race, slavery, public opinion, politics, and lincolns own character that led to the wholly improbable uncompensated emancipation of some four million slaves. Oct 24, 2010 but, as eric foner s new book, the fiery trial, demonstrates, all great changes in human affairs happen in history and through time. He praises lincoln s ability to learn over time, and argues that by the end of his life lincoln had overcome many of his early prejudices. His teaching and scholarship have shaped our understanding of that pivotal period. Get 50% off this audiobook at the audiobooksnow online audio book store and download or stream it right to your computer, smartphone or tablet. The fiery trial 2011 pulitzer prize winner, history no other contemporary historian has had a greater impact on how scholars and the general public think about our past than eric foner. Abraham lincoln and american slavery was published in 2010 and received the 2011 pulitzer prize for history. Lincolns ideas regarding race and slavery underwent.
Abraham lincoln and american slavery abraham lincoln and american slavery by eric foner. Jan 15, 2015 eric foner has won a place in the front rank of american historians with books that seem to vacuum up all available sources to. In his teaching and scholarship, foner focuses on the civil war and reconstruction, slavery, and nineteenthcentury america. Oct 12, 2010 in this landmark work of deep scholarship and insight, eric foner gives us the definitive history of abraham lincoln and the end of slavery in america.
After reading ron chernows grant, doris goodwins team of rivals. Foner, who will speak at the university of oklahoma oct. No other contemporary historian has had a greater impact on how scholars and the general public think about our past than eric foner. Abraham lincoln and american slavery, examines what the president truly believed about human bondage author eric foner. A masterwork by the preeminent historian of the civil war era.
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