Abraham Lincoln was the greatest writer of the Civil War as wellas its greatest political leader. His clear, beautiful, and at timesuncompromisingly severe language forever shaped the nation s
understanding of its most terrible conflict. This volume, alongwith its companion, "Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1832 1858," comprises the mostcomprehensive selection ever published. Over 550 speeches, messages, proclamations, letters, and other writings includingthe Inaugural and Gettysburg addresses and the moving condolenceletter to Mrs. Bixby record the words and deeds withwhich Lincoln defended, preserved, and redefined the Union."