Lincoln & Churchill
Statesmen at War
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3.9 • 12 Ratings
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- $33.99
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- $33.99
Publisher Description
Winner of the Abraham Lincoln Institute of Washington’s 2019 book prize!
A Renowned Historian Gives New Perspective on Statesmen at War
Lewis E. Lehrman, a renowned historian and National Humanities Medal winner, gives new perspective on two of the greatest English-speaking statesmen—and their remarkable leadership in wars of national survival
Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill, as commanders in chief, led their nations to victory—Lincoln in the Civil War, Churchill in World War II. They became revered leaders—statesmen for all time. Yet these two world-famous war leaders have never been seriously compared at book length. Acclaimed historian Lewis Lehrman, in his pathbreaking comparison of both statesmen, finds that Lincoln and Churchill—with very different upbringings and contrasting personalities—led their war efforts, to some extent, in similar ways. As supreme war lords, they were guided not only by principles of honor, duty, freedom, but also by the practical wisdom to know when, where, and how to apply these principles. They made mistakes which Lehrman considers carefully. But the author emphasizes that, despite setbacks, they never gave up.
Even their writings and speeches were swords in battle. Gifted literary stylists, both men relied on the written and spoken word to steel their citizens throughout desperate and prolonged wars.
Both statesmen unexpectedly left office near the end of their wars—Lincoln by the bullet, Churchill by the ballot.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Independent historian and journalist Lehrman (Lincoln in Peoria; Churchill, Roosevelt and Co.) examines the political skills and military strategies of Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill, both of whom led their countries during crises that threatened their nations' survival. Lehrman uncovers striking similarities; both, for example, had very strong work ethics and showed unassuming courage and magnanimity. Also, the health of each deteriorated significantly during his significant war. Churchill, however, was frequently impatient, aggressive, and even abrasive with his generals "He had little respect for some, no faith in others, confidence in few" while Lincoln was often patient to a fault with Union generals and was loved for showing warmth and caring toward lower-rank soldiers. Lehrman organizes this comparative study largely topically rather than chronologically, examining such subjects as the men's respective paths to power, their rhetorical skills, their recruitment strategies, and their legacies. Its only major shortcoming is an overreliance on paragraph-length quotes. Quibbles aside, this is a well-researched, first-rate work whose comparative approach significantly enhances readers' understanding of both men and of effective political leadership during wartime.
