Abraham Lincoln was the greatest writer of the Civil War as well as its
greatest political leader. His clear, beautiful, and at times
uncompromisingly severe language forever shaped the nation's
understanding of its most terrible conflict. This volume, along with its
companion, Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1832-1858, comprises
the most comprehensive selection ever published. Over 550 speeches,
messages, proclamations, letters, and other writings--including the
Inaugural and Gettysburg addresses and the moving condolence letter to
Mrs. Bixby--record the words and deeds with which Lincoln defended,
preserved, and redefined the Union.
LIBRARY OF AMERICA is an independent nonprofit cultural organization
founded in 1979 to preserve our nation's literary heritage by
publishing, and keeping permanently in print, America's best and most
significant writing. The Library of America series includes more than
300 volumes to date, authoritative editions that average 1,000 pages in
length, feature cloth covers, sewn bindings, and ribbon markers, and are
printed on premium acid-free paper that will last for centuries.