The Mind and Art of Abraham Lincoln, Philosopher Statesman: Texts and Interpretations of Twenty Great Speeches

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By analyzing many of Lincoln's most important speeches, The Mind and Art of Abraham Lincoln, Philosopher Statesman shows him to be a profound and systematic thinker who tries to get at the root of issues, not all of them strictly political. Lowenthal emphasizes Lincoln's manner of writing, which enables him to conceal his most radical thoughts, and pays special attention to the reasoning and artfulness with which he treats a wide variety of subjects. The book follows Lincoln from his Perpetuation or Lyceum address in 1838 to his last speech just after Lee's surrender, as he confronts the great issues of the day and lays out the fundamentals of American politics. Along the way, Lowenthal's careful analysis frees Lincoln of the charge of racial prejudice with which he has been saddled in recent years.

Reviews

In David Lowenthals Lincoln, we encounter a statesman whose fierce intellectual independence was matched by a deep sympathy for political friends and foes alike. His Lincoln displays a strikingly free and agile mind long before he was elevated to the presidency. Lowenthals fresh interpretations of both familiar and obscure writings of Lincoln force us to pay attention to aspects of Lincolns political and philosophical thought, especially regarding religion, long overlooked or simply not noticed. He demonstrates that Lincolns insights about the American regime derived from a profound analysis of the premises of self-government and challenges of living as a free people. Along the way, the reader learns what is entailed in choosing to live as a self-governing peoplewhat it takes to be free and to maintain that freedom from generation to generation. -- Lucas E. Morel, Washington and Lee University, and author of "Lincolns Sacred Effort: Defining Religions Role in American Self-Government"
Plato may have thought that a philosopher-king was impossible, except in the conversational utopia of his Republic. He didnt live to see Abraham Lincoln, Philosopher-Statesman. In this marvelous collection of Lincolns speeches, we witness how deep wisdom and democratic rule can indeed coexist. Each speech is followed by David Lowenthals illuminating response. Instead of the polemical debate between Lincoln and Douglas, we are treated to a friendly, truth-seeking dialogue between Lincoln and Lowenthal. This book achieves its high purpose: revealing both Lincolns daring mind and his prudent political art. -- Diana J. Schaub, Loyola University Maryland
The greatness of Lincoln is here analyzed with exceeding care, and confirmed, in David Lowenthal's searching examination of Lincoln's words and arguments. This is a splendid effort and display of political philosophy, offering new matter for appreciation and showing how Lincoln's thoughtfulness was the crown of all his great qualities. -- Harvey Mansfield, Professor of Government, Harvard University; Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution

Author Bio

David Lowenthal is professor emeritus of political science at Boston College.