This is a spirited account of the series of political debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas during the senatorial campaign of 1858. It gives brief biographies of the political rivals and frames their positions on the most vexing issue of the day: slavery. Providing the social context for the debate, the book then discusses the political divide between slave states and free states, as well as failed attempts at compromise. Using primary source documents, the author also examines the aftermath of the debates, including Lincoln's successful bid for the U.S. presidency.