Prelude to Greatness: Lincoln in the 1850's

"An integrated study that is marked by a freshness of approach and an appealing sincerity. Following a discussion of the Illinois environment as a basic reason for Lincoln's emergence in the 1850’s, Fehrenbacher treats Lincoln's role in the formation of the Republican party in Illinois, his nomination for United States Senator in 1858, the origins and purpose of the 'House Divided speech, the debates with Stephen A. Douglas, the famous 'Freeport Question, and finally the nomination for the presidency in 1860… Fehrenbacher's documentation reflects a careful and critical use of the sources. As a result, he deals hard and convincingly with some of the myths and exaggerations that have become attached to Lincoln's prepresidential career... To say that ‘this is not just another Lincoln book' would be to demean a significant contribution with a well-worn and meaningless cliché. This is an outstanding book." - Robert W. Johannsen, “The American Historical Review”

Published 1962.

Binding of book is tight. Slight wear and tear on edges of covers. Creases and marks of wear on spine of book. Moderate amount of shelfwear on edges of book. A few splotches of ink on fore edge and a line in marker drawn on bottom edge of book. Line drawn in pencil and price stamped in faded ink on first page of book. Otherwise pages are in excellent condition.