The Gettysburg Address: Perspectives on Lincoln's Greatest Speech

by Sean Conant (editor)

It is the most famous speech Lincoln ever gave, and one of the most important orations in the history of the nation. Delivered on November 19, 1863, among the freshly dug graves of the Union dead, the Gettysburg Address defined the central meaning of the Civil War and gave cause for the nation's incredible suffering. The poetic language and moral sentiment inspired listeners at the time, and have continued to resonate powerfully with groups and individuals up to the present day. What gives this speech its enduring significance? This collection of essays, from some of the best-known scholars in the field, answers that question. Placing the Address in complete historical and cultural context and approaching it from a number of fresh perspectives, the volume first identifies how Lincoln was influenced by great thinkers on his own path toward literary and oratory genius. Among others, Nicholas P. Cole draws parallels between the Address and classical texts of Antiquity and John Stauffer considers Lincoln's knowledge of the King James Bible and Shakespeare. The second half of the collection then examines the many ways in which the Gettysburg Address has been interpreted, perceived, and utilized in the past 150 years. Since 1863, African Americans, immigrants, women, gay rights activists, and international figures have invoked the speech's language and righteous sentiments on their respective paths toward freedom and equality. Essays include Louis P. Masur on the role the Address played in eventual emancipation; Jean H. Baker on the speech's importance to the women's rights movement; and Don H. Doyle on the Address's international legacy. Lincoln spoke at Gettysburg in a defining moment for America, but as the essays in this collection attest, his message is universal and timeless. This work brings together the foremost experts in the field to illuminate the many ways in which that message continues to endure.

Genres: Civil War

370 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 27, 2015

Reviews

[Ben Denison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book.

I was expecting something way more about Lincoln, but the description plainly says "Perspectives on...", which was basically essays/articles on the impact of Lincoln's short speech at Gettysburg and the impact it had on Civil Rights in America for Minorities and Women and around the world as others used Lincoln's ideas of equality and rights spread

Also interesting the recap of how Lincoln, his life, his impact, and his Gettysburg Address evolved over the years in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The evolution of his reputation to mythical status and how it was not always so. Also interesting some of the struggles reviewed of Women's Suffrage and Civil Rights across America.

I'm not sure I would have chosen to read it if I'd known what it was about, but I think it should be required reading for everyone. I thought it was really good.

[Rodman Marquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read about Lincoln's 272 word Gettysburg Address. The book is a compilation of essays written about several people's perspectives of the speech. Dives into the composition of the speech, the political environment at the time it was written, how the world viewed the speech, and how we still reference it today. The speech impacted the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments to the constitution and led to women's suffrage, 19th amendment. Debates are happening today about how those amendments impact immigration rights. Great read, with lots of historical references and truths about how our Constitutional Republic is different from other types of governance. Of the people, by the people and for the people. BONUS: there are 5 handwritten versions of the address and all of them are slightly different...those slight differences caused controversy.

[Riley Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since this is a collection of essays some are amazing and others are less engaging. Understanding the view that Lincoln was defending his constitutional views of a strong central government over states rights and also the emancipation proclamation is key. He didn’t think this was a new revolution but an continuation of the promises of the first revolution starting with the declaration. At the time most other democracies were failing in Latin America. It wasn’t hyperbole when he said America was the last great hope for government by the people, of the people for the people. The only thing he got wrong was that people did note and long remember his words.

A few myths were busted. Lincoln didn’t speak in the soldiers cemetery but the private evergreen cemetery. He didn’t write the speech at the last minute on the train but was well prepared. He wasn’t the keynote speaker but Edward Everett some first for 2 hours. He was just there to dedicate the first soldier’s cemetery. These were the first graves owned by the nation and not the families. There are 5 copies of the address by Robert Lincoln selected the Bliss copy as his preferred. Dictators such as Mao and Stalin have used the address to promote their strong central governments and Marx praised it in his day. Way interesting.

The second half that was less about the history in Lincolns time and kore about impacts is heavily tinged opinion. There is one chapter about immigration that is very partisan. While Lincoln rejected the know nothings as xenophobic it is hard to believe he would support blatant illegal immigration in 2022. Of these chapters the most interesting is about how the Gettysburg address was the precedent used to push the reconstruction amendments. Overall very good.

[Bob Engeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific collection of essays on Lincoln's Gettysburg address with historic building up to The Address, contemporary perspective and its impact on the future both in the US and internationally.
Highly reccommend.