audiobook Lincoln's Virtues: An Ethical Biography by William Lee Miller in History

Review

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. William Lee Miller's Brilliant Exploration of the morality of Abraham Lincoln shines with gem-like clarityBy C. M MillsWilliam Lee Miller is an academic who writes in an understandable style. In "Lincoln's Virtues" the historian examines in clinical detail the ethical cosmos of the railspiltter from the West who rose to the White House in the nation's darkest hour. Miller shows that Lincoln held two principles as sacred to those virtues enunciated in the Declaration of Independence: the Union which was indissoluble and predated the formation of states; the right of every American to be free. Lincoln fought hard for the black race in a racist society beyond a 21st century person's ken. He thought slavery wrong from an early age and will live forever for his authorship of the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 and support of the 13th amendment to the Constitution freeing slaves. Lincoln as a congressman in the 1840s opposed the Mexican War as unjust. He was an enemy of the Polk administration's Manifest Destiny hubris. As a Whig politician for most of his career his great hero was Henry Clay of Ky. who managed to get the Compromise of 1850 passed. Lincoln deplored the Kansas-Nebraska act of 1854 which nullified the Missouri Compromise of 1820. The Kansas-Nebraska Act was the brainchild of Lincoln's racist 1858 opponent for the Senate in Illinois: Stephen A. Douglas. With Kansas-Nebraska it became possible for slavery to be extended into the territories entering the Union. Lincoln also opposed the Dred Scott decision and the fugitive slave act. Miller shows how skillful a politican Mr. Lincoln was as he sought political power while at the same time moving the country forward to a more just and democratic society. His strong defense of the Constitution and the Union led to the waging and winning of the Civil War. Miller's portrait of Lincoln makes clear to this reader why he is our greatest president! Lincoln is sometimes been attacked for racism but those critics who cast aspersions on him fail to realize the type of white supremacist society in which he was immured.Without Lincoln the United States as we know it would probably not have survived the major challenges of secession by eleven states and a horrific civil war. Lincoln; teaches Miller; was a kind man who abhorred cruelty to animals and human beings. The sixteenth president was merciful to soldiers who fell asleep on guard duty. Had he lived; reconstruction in the southern states would no doubt have been less severe than it was. Lincoln rarely held grudges grasping the moral if not the doctrinal teaching of Christianity. He had the skills of a great author/poet. Lincoln's speeches soar higher and probe deeper into the American psyche than do those of any other American Chief Executive. This outstanding book should be read in tandem with the author's second volume on Lincoln entitled "President Lincoln." Read these books slowly and absorb their content. One wishes their was an Abraham Lincoln to cast his stovepipe hat in the presidential ring in the current frenzied contest for the Oval Office!4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Riveting; if a bit long-windedBy David KimMiller's careful discovery of Lincoln's moral and ethical disposition is amazingly perceptive. I am struck by how Lincoln's generosity and good nature did not diminish his moral resolve. Miller himself writes that whereas the saying goes absolute power corrupts absolutely; for Lincoln; greater power meant that he became all the more serious about his stewardship to do good. Miller asserts that this Lincoln hallmark was the result of Lincoln's deliberate and deep reflections about what he believed is right and wrong.One aspect of Miller's style that readers may not enjoy is that he is sometimes long-winded. He tends to enjoy exegesis of Lincoln's speeches or letters; and sometimes repeats himself with just a few different words. However; for me; this was just an attestation to Miller's admiration for his subject. I think even serious Lincoln readers will benefit from Miller's analyses; as he overturns more than a few common beliefs about Lincoln's character.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Evolving LincolnBy Will JacksonQuality book on evolvement of Lincoln's thinking.