Abraham Lincoln was a skilled politician; an inspirational leader; and a man of humor and pathos. What many may not realize is how much he was also a man of ideas. Despite the most meager of formal educations; Lincoln’s tremendous intellectual curiosity drove him into the circle of Enlightenment philosophy and democratic political ideology. And from these; Lincoln developed a set of political convictions that guided him throughout his life and his presidency. Abraham Lincoln as a Man of Ideas; a compilation of ten essays from Lincoln scholar; Allen C. Guelzo; uncovers the hidden sources of Lincoln’s ideas and examines the beliefs that directed his career and brought an end to slavery and the Civil War.These essays reveal Lincoln to be a man of impressive intellectual probity and depth as well as a man of great contradictions. He was an apostle of freedom who did not believe in human free will; a champion of the Constitution who had to step outside of it in order to save it; a man of many acquaintances and admirers; but few friends; a man who opposed slavery but also opposed the abolition of it; a man of prudence who took more political risks than any other president.Guelzo explores the many faces of Lincoln’s ideas; and especially the influence of the Founding Fathers and the great European champions of democracy. And he links the 16th president’s struggles with the issues of race; emancipation; religion; and civil liberties to the challenges these issues continue to offer to Americans today.Lincoln played many roles in his life—lawyer; politician; president—but in each he was driven by a core of values; convictions; and beliefs about economics; society; and democracy. Abraham Lincoln as a Man of Ideas is a broad and exciting survey of the ideas that made Lincoln great; just as we celebrate the bicentennial his birth.
#546995 in Books 1996-11-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.02 x .53 x 6.04l; .68 #File Name: 0809136600224 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. but answering that call implies (or better: demands)"By CharInCincyIn one book; what took me 2 years of classes; Cunningham and Egan present a rich andfocused look into how Christianity has grown; from its earliest days; to the times of Jesus; andthe various ways ascetics; mystics; Jews; and Christians have grown in faith throughprayer and conviction of their sects. Cunningham and Egan also speak to Christian practices today pointing out the importance of rebuilding the practice of prayer; the importance of churchand community.What struck me strongest about “Christian Spirituality†was the focus on directingpeople back to the path of separateness; away from the oneness that the “I’m spiritualâ€crowd seems to be missing. Cunningham and Egan say; “Following Christ is not just a subsequent application of the church's Christology to our life; each person must make a personal response to the call of Jesus; but answering that call implies (or better: demands)". I can only speak for myself when I say that when I would say; “I’m spiritual;†I meant that Iwas a believer; but first I have a responsibility to myself first.Cunningham and Egan define Christian Spirituality; from its early days; to daysbefore Jesus and how followers dedicated their lives to God. It describes the lives ofpeople who fled to the dessert; the obstacles and struggles they overcame to live theirlives in Christ. presentation of Christian Spirituality; through the lives of people whodedicated their whole being to what it means to be “spiritualâ€; to live like a Christian: Iknow that my journey has only begun; I have far to go.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. It's a book.By A consumer.It does what it's meant to do: Help me do my spirituality class homework.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy KyleAbsolutely perfect!
