A brilliant, evenhanded, and timely political history.
Lincoln's political philosophy in sharp relief.
Princeton University distinguished research scholar Guelzo, a three-time winner of the Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize, presents a detailed analysis of the 16th president's conception of and reverence for democracy as the pinnacle of political aspiration and accomplishment, what Lincoln called "my ancient faith." As the author adroitly points out, Lincoln often used terms such as democracy, representative democracy, and constitutional republic interchangeably; he only explicitly defined what democracy was not, which was slavery. For the self-made Lincoln, democracy required consent. Guelzo uses his vast knowledge of Lincoln's speeches, state papers, and letters to more fully interpret Lincolnian democracy, particularly regarding the principle of the sovereignty of the people and reverence for prudent laws faithfully observed. He is particularly enlightening concerning the evolution of Lincoln's political and economic philosophy, notably the influence of Whig politician Henry Clay, philosopher John Stuart Mill, and political economist Henry Carey; democracy’s role in racial issues and emancipation; and the cultural mores that support democracy—in Lincoln’s view, property ownership, religious morality, toleration, and electioneering. Guelzo also contrasts Lincoln's views about Jacksonian democracy and the Constitution's protections against insurrection with that of his hand-wringing predecessor, James Buchanan, who “was so loath to reach for anything that looked like ‘necessity’ in dealing with secession that he convinced himself that the Constitution literally prevented him from acting against secession.” The author offers a balanced discussion of Lincoln's expansion of government and abridgement of civil liberties during the war, and considers whether federalism suffered or was enhanced by Lincoln’s administration. The epilogue, “What If Lincoln Had Lived?” illuminates Lincoln's views as the American body politic continues to wrestle with the meaning of democracy, which “is still the best method for people to live lives free from domination and exploitation.”
A brilliant, evenhanded, and timely political history.Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9780593534441
Page Count: 272
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 20, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2023
An engrossing and ominous chronicle, told by a master of the form.
Documenting perilous times.
In his most recent behind-the-scenes account of political power and how it is wielded, Woodward synthesizes several narrative strands, from the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel to the 2024 presidential campaign. Woodward’s clear, gripping storytelling benefits from his legendary access to prominent figures and a structure of propulsive chapters. The run-up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is tense (if occasionally repetitive), as a cast of geopolitical insiders try to divine Vladimir Putin’s intent: “Doubt among allies, the public and among Ukrainians meant valuable time and space for Putin to maneuver.” Against this backdrop, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham implores Donald Trump to run again, notwithstanding the former president’s denial of his 2020 defeat. This provides unwelcome distraction for President Biden, portrayed as a thoughtful, compassionate lifetime politico who could not outrace time, as demonstrated in the June 2024 debate. Throughout, Trump’s prevarications and his supporters’ cynicism provide an unsettling counterpoint to warnings provided by everyone from former Joint Chief of Staff Mark Milley to Vice President Kamala Harris, who calls a second Trump term a likely “death knell for American democracy.” The author’s ambitious scope shows him at the top of his capabilities. He concludes with these unsettling words: “Based on my reporting, Trump’s language and conduct has at times presented risks to national security—both during his presidency and afterward.”
An engrossing and ominous chronicle, told by a master of the form.Pub Date: Oct. 15, 2024
ISBN: 9781668052273
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Oct. 15, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2024
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Buffs of the Old West will enjoy Clavin’s careful research and vivid writing.
Rootin’-tootin’ history of the dry-gulchers, horn-swogglers, and outright killers who populated the Wild West’s wildest city in the late 19th century.
The stories of Wyatt Earp and company, the shootout at the O.K. Corral, and Geronimo and the Apache Wars are all well known. Clavin, who has written books on Dodge City and Wild Bill Hickok, delivers a solid narrative that usefully links significant events—making allies of white enemies, for instance, in facing down the Apache threat, rustling from Mexico, and other ethnically charged circumstances. The author is a touch revisionist, in the modern fashion, in noting that the Earps and Clantons weren’t as bloodthirsty as popular culture has made them out to be. For example, Wyatt and Bat Masterson “took the ‘peace’ in peace officer literally and knew that the way to tame the notorious town was not to outkill the bad guys but to intimidate them, sometimes with the help of a gun barrel to the skull.” Indeed, while some of the Clantons and some of the Earps died violently, most—Wyatt, Bat, Doc Holliday—died of cancer and other ailments, if only a few of old age. Clavin complicates the story by reminding readers that the Earps weren’t really the law in Tombstone and sometimes fell on the other side of the line and that the ordinary citizens of Tombstone and other famed Western venues valued order and peace and weren’t particularly keen on gunfighters and their mischief. Still, updating the old notion that the Earp myth is the American Iliad, the author is at his best when he delineates those fraught spasms of violence. “It is never a good sign for law-abiding citizens,” he writes at one high point, “to see Johnny Ringo rush into town, both him and his horse all in a lather.” Indeed not, even if Ringo wound up killing himself and law-abiding Tombstone faded into obscurity when the silver played out.
Buffs of the Old West will enjoy Clavin’s careful research and vivid writing.Pub Date: April 21, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-250-21458-4
Page Count: 400
Publisher: St. Martin's
Review Posted Online: Jan. 19, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2020
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