And There Was Light

Jon Meacham biography of Abraham Lincoln
978-0-553-39396-5OCLC1305911410WebsiteRandom House

And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle is an Abraham Lincoln biography. The book shows how Lincoln risked his political future for his moral convictions, intending to preserve democracy and the Union. It was written by Jon Meacham and published by Random House in October 2022.[1][2][3][4][5][6] This book is a New York Times bestseller.[7]

Synopsis

This biography reinterprets Abraham Lincoln's life to reflect the nation's current situation. In 2020 and 2021, the nation faces national division along with loose talk of civil war. The book is very well researched and highly readable.[1] The text is 400 pages and there are 200 pages of endnotes and bibliography. In this instance, the book explores Lincoln's humble beginnings, his marriage, and family tragedies as support material for the story. The author emphasizes Lincoln's public actions, highlighting his speeches, inaugurations, and his critical high-stakes decisions as a leader.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Witt, John Fabian (October 24, 2022). "In Jon Meacham's biography, Lincoln is a guiding light for our times". The Washington Post.
  2. ^ Daniel, Douglass K (October 24, 2022). "Review: How Meacham's Lincoln defeated 'Big Lie' of his day". Houston Chronicle.
  3. ^ Treisman, Rachel (October 18, 2022). "Lincoln prioritized democracy over his political future. A new biography explains why". NPR.org. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  4. ^ Egan, Elisabeth (12 January 2023). "Jon Meacham Grew up with Civil War Bullets in His Backyard". The New York Times. Full text also on ProQuest.
  5. ^ "AND THERE WAS LIGHT". Kirkus Reviews. July 29, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  6. ^ "And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle by Jon Meacham". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  7. ^ "Hardcover Nonfiction Books - Best Sellers - Books - Nov. 6, 2022 - the New York Times". The New York Times.

Further reading

  • Brief review: "And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle". Library Journal.
  • Book review: Scott, Barbara B. (October 19, 2022). "And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle". Book reporter.
  • Op Ed: White, Ronald C. (November 17, 2013). "The Gettysburg Address: Much Noted and Long Remembered". Los Angeles Times.

External links

  • Official website
  • ISBN 978-0-553-39396-5
  • Author webpage. "And There Was Light."
  • Jon Meacham interview. Video. Today show. NBC News.
  • Jon Meacham interview. Video. Morning Joe. MSNBC.
  • Jon Meacham interview. Video. Stephanie Ruhle. MSNBC.
  • "Jon Meacham on And There Was Light". Abraham Lincoln Book Shop. YouTube. October 25, 2022.