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A just and generous nation Abraham Lincoln and the fight for American opportunity

"In A Just and Generous Nation, the eminent historian Harold Holzer and the noted economist Norton Garfinkle present a groundbreaking new account of the beliefs that inspired our sixteenth president to go to war when the Southern states seceded from the Union. Rather than a commitment to eradic...

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Main Author: Holzer, Harold.
Other Authors: Garfinkle, Norton, 1931-
Format: Books Print Book
Language: English
Published: New York : Basic Books, a member of the Perseus Books Group, 2015.
Subjects:
Lincoln, Abraham, > 1809-1865 > Political and social views.
Equality > Economic aspects > United States > History > 19th century.
Economic development > United States > History > 19th century.
Social mobility > United States > History > 19th century.
United States > History > Civil War, 1861-1865 > Causes.
United States > History > Civil War, 1861-1865 > Economic aspects.
United States > History > Civil War, 1861-1865 > Social aspects.
United States > Politics and government > 1861-1865.
Summary: "In A Just and Generous Nation, the eminent historian Harold Holzer and the noted economist Norton Garfinkle present a groundbreaking new account of the beliefs that inspired our sixteenth president to go to war when the Southern states seceded from the Union. Rather than a commitment to eradicating slavery or a defense of the Union, they argue, Lincoln's guiding principle was the defense of equal economic opportunity. Lincoln firmly believed that the government's primary role was to ensure that all Americans had the opportunity to better their station in life. As president, he worked tirelessly to enshrine this ideal within the federal government. He funded railroads and canals, supported education, and, most importantly, issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which opened the door for former slaves to join white Americans in striving for self-improvement. In our own age of unprecedented inequality, A Just and Generous Nation reestablishes Lincoln's legacy as the protector not just of personal freedom but of the American dream itself"--Provided by publisher.
Physical Description: 311 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN: 9780465028306 (hardcover)
0465028306 (hardcover)
Author Notes: Harold Holzer is one of the leading authorities on Abraham Lincoln and the political culture of the Civil War era. He is a prolific writer and lecturer. He has written, co-written and edited over 30 books including Abraham Lincoln, The Writer (2000), which was named to the Children's Literature Choice List and the Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year, and Lincoln at Cooper Union: The Speech That Made Abraham Lincoln President (2004), which won a 2005 Lincoln Prize. He has also written over 425 popular magazine and scholarly journal articles and numerous pamphlets and monographs. He has won numerous awards including the Barondess Award of the Civil War Round Table of New York five times; the Award of Achievement from the Lincoln Group of New York three times; a 1988 George Washington Medal; the 2000 Newman Book Award; and the 2008 National Humanities Medal. He is the Senior Vice President for External Affairs at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

(Bowker Author Biography)

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