Forced into Glory: Abraham Lincoln's White Dream

by Lerone Bennett Jr.

Beginning with the argument that the Emancipation Proclamation did not actually free African American slaves, this dissenting view of Lincoln's greatness surveys the president's policies, speeches, and private utterances and concludes that he had little real interest in abolition. Pointing to Lincoln's support for the fugitive slave laws, his friendship with slave-owning senator Henry Clay, and conversations in which he entertained the idea of deporting slaves in order to create an all-white nation, the book, concludes that the president was a racist at heart—and that the tragedies of Reconstruction and the Jim Crow era were the legacy of his shallow moral vision.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Race, Politics, African American, Presidents

688 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Lerone Bennett Jr. was an African-American scholar, author and social historian, known for his analysis of race relations in the United States.

Reviews

[Dave Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional book to read. I find this fascinating book to be pregnant with historical facts that was never presented in high school nor college.

I have made a major paradigm shift in reflecting on President Lincoln, the 39th Congress and the Generals that executed the war. This is a must read.

[Claude E Haywood El · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a lot of ppl (scholars/ historians) declare this book to be distorted and misleading saying Mr. Bennett manipulates the facts! But one thing that was/is a tru fact is that Mr. Abraham Lincoln died owning slaves and his wife died a slave owner! FACT!

[Mike Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did you know that Lincoln until the day he died, wanted to send all African Americans free or enslaved, back to Africa?

Did you know the Emancipation Proclamation didn't actually free anyone? In fact, it kept slavery in the Northern states that still had it?

Did you know General Grant actually took his slaves into battle?

Every single myth you have been taught is blown out of the water by this African American editor and publisher.

[Robert]

for those who think Lincoln was such a great and wonderful emancipator should read this book carefully

[Robert Sparrenberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the most interesting books I’ve read in a long time.
The basic premise was Lincoln was a racist his whole
Life. He spent his time before the war supporting racist policies and then as president doing everything he could to deny Black Americans the right to freedom. The author cites extensive speeches, written letters and journals from either lincoln or people closely associated with him.

One of the more surprising entries was the Douglas Lincoln debates. Douglas was spouting racist nonsense and Lincoln was standing there agreeing with him. I need to get a copy of the debates to get a fuller look.

The other big topic of the book is how the emancipation proclamation did nothing to free any slaves.

Very interesting book but it needs an editor. Too much editorializing distracts at times from the heavy facts being presented.

[Me · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a random pick up. I did not mean to read it, it just sort of popped out of the shelf. It was a well written book, the facts were clear. The theme in the book was evident which I thoroughly enjoyed. I am not the type to pick around and see what sense the writer is trying to make. I'm not sure what to make of the content. There were a lot of supporting facts, it was a pretty big book, I'm guessing there was so much to say, he came through quite some history. again I do feel I know more about the emancipation, although most of it was detailed facts that my register memory escapes one two many times.

[Tommy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Repeats itself in parts, but still a decent read overall.