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The Eloquent President: A Portrait of Lincoln Through His Words
“White takes us back to when great men believed in the power of words to change the world. . . . This book . . . is a treasure to read, a spur to thinking, a small volume with fascinating history.”–The Denver Post
In The Eloquent President, historian Ronald C. White, Jr., examines Abraham Lincoln’s astonishing oratory and explores his growth as a leader, a communicator, and a man of deepening spiritual conviction. Examining a different speech, address, or public letter in each chapter, White tracks the evolution of Lincoln’s rhetoric from the measured tones of the First Inaugural to the immortal poetry of the Gettysburg Address. As he weighs the biblical cadences and vigorous parallel structures that make Lincoln’s rhetoric soar, White identifies a passionate religious strain that most historians have overlooked. It is White’s contention that, as president, Lincoln not only grew into an inspiring leader and determined commander in chief, but also embarked on a spiritual odyssey that led to a profound understanding of the relationship between human action and divine will. With grace and insight, White captures the essence of the four most critical years of Lincoln’s life and makes his great words live for our time in all their power and beauty.
In The Eloquent President, historian Ronald C. White, Jr., examines Abraham Lincoln’s astonishing oratory and explores his growth as a leader, a communicator, and a man of deepening spiritual conviction. Examining a different speech, address, or public letter in each chapter, White tracks the evolution of Lincoln’s rhetoric from the measured tones of the First Inaugural to the immortal poetry of the Gettysburg Address. As he weighs the biblical cadences and vigorous parallel structures that make Lincoln’s rhetoric soar, White identifies a passionate religious strain that most historians have overlooked. It is White’s contention that, as president, Lincoln not only grew into an inspiring leader and determined commander in chief, but also embarked on a spiritual odyssey that led to a profound understanding of the relationship between human action and divine will. With grace and insight, White captures the essence of the four most critical years of Lincoln’s life and makes his great words live for our time in all their power and beauty.
480 pages, Paperback
First published January 11, 2005
32 people are currently reading
686 people want to read
About the author
Ronald C. White Jr.
21 books190 followersRonald C. White is the author of American Ulysses: A Life of Ulysses S. Grant (2016). General David H. Petraeus (Ret.) wrote, “Certain to be recognized as the classic work on Ulysses S. Grant.”
White is also the author of three books on Abraham Lincoln. A. Lincoln: A Biography [2009], was a New York Times, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times bestseller. USA Today said, “If you read one book about Lincoln, make it A. LINCOLN.” The book was honored as one of the best books of 2009 by the Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, History Book Club, and Barnes & Noble. It won a 2010 Christopher Award which salutes books “that affirm the highest values of the human spirit.”
Lincoln’s Greatest Speech: The Second Inaugural, was honored as a New York Times Notable Book of 2002, and a Washington Post and San Francisco Chronicle bestseller. The Eloquent President: A Portrait of Lincoln Through His Words [2005], was a Los Angeles Times bestseller, and a selection of the History Book Club. White’s op-eds have appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Christian Science Monitor. He has lectured at the White House and been interviewed on the PBS News Hour.
He attended Northwestern University and is a graduate of UCLA and Princeton Theological Seminary, earning a Ph.D. in Religion and History from Princeton University. He has taught at UCLA, Princeton Theological Seminary, Whitworth University, Colorado College, Rider University, and San Francisco Theological Seminary. He is a Fellow at the Huntington Library in San Marino, California, and a Senior Fellow of the Trinity Forum in Washington, D.C. He lives with his wife, Cynthia, in La Cañada, California.
White is also the author of three books on Abraham Lincoln. A. Lincoln: A Biography [2009], was a New York Times, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times bestseller. USA Today said, “If you read one book about Lincoln, make it A. LINCOLN.” The book was honored as one of the best books of 2009 by the Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, History Book Club, and Barnes & Noble. It won a 2010 Christopher Award which salutes books “that affirm the highest values of the human spirit.”
Lincoln’s Greatest Speech: The Second Inaugural, was honored as a New York Times Notable Book of 2002, and a Washington Post and San Francisco Chronicle bestseller. The Eloquent President: A Portrait of Lincoln Through His Words [2005], was a Los Angeles Times bestseller, and a selection of the History Book Club. White’s op-eds have appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Christian Science Monitor. He has lectured at the White House and been interviewed on the PBS News Hour.
He attended Northwestern University and is a graduate of UCLA and Princeton Theological Seminary, earning a Ph.D. in Religion and History from Princeton University. He has taught at UCLA, Princeton Theological Seminary, Whitworth University, Colorado College, Rider University, and San Francisco Theological Seminary. He is a Fellow at the Huntington Library in San Marino, California, and a Senior Fellow of the Trinity Forum in Washington, D.C. He lives with his wife, Cynthia, in La Cañada, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 29, 2008
This beautiful portrait of Lincoln through his words is one of my favorites. It chronologically covers all of Lincolns famous addresses (and then some) and puts them in the historical context of what was happening in his personal and professional life at the time of the speech. Really powerful!
May 8, 2013
I've read many books about Lincoln, but this one stands out. White selects several of Lincoln's speeches, and shows what Lincoln was going through when he wrote this speech, and what the country was going through at the time. What you come away with is a sense of how Lincoln worked to meet the moment, and also speak to the ages.
This book is written so cleanly that it seems almost effortless. And that means that the author worked hard to get all the readers on board. You don't have to be a Lincoln scholar to appreciate this book. The writing is so clear that non-specialists will enjoy it too.
White works carefully with Lincoln's use of scripture, and with Lincoln's faith so far as it can be known. He does not overplay it, for Lincoln was a pretty private person when it came to religious beliefs. Yet Lincoln's use of scripture and his wrestling with God over the meaning of the war are there in his speeches.
I got interested in this book because I heard White give a lecture about Lincoln, which was broadcast on the radio. White had such a warm tone, as he spoke of Lincoln. He came across as very very well informed, yet so disarming and unpretentious. I liked him immediately and ordered his book. White does a masterful job of using Lincoln's own words to understand Lincoln. Along the way you learn a lot of things about Civil War America.
This book is written so cleanly that it seems almost effortless. And that means that the author worked hard to get all the readers on board. You don't have to be a Lincoln scholar to appreciate this book. The writing is so clear that non-specialists will enjoy it too.
White works carefully with Lincoln's use of scripture, and with Lincoln's faith so far as it can be known. He does not overplay it, for Lincoln was a pretty private person when it came to religious beliefs. Yet Lincoln's use of scripture and his wrestling with God over the meaning of the war are there in his speeches.
I got interested in this book because I heard White give a lecture about Lincoln, which was broadcast on the radio. White had such a warm tone, as he spoke of Lincoln. He came across as very very well informed, yet so disarming and unpretentious. I liked him immediately and ordered his book. White does a masterful job of using Lincoln's own words to understand Lincoln. Along the way you learn a lot of things about Civil War America.
May 25, 2021
An enjoyable read, where Ronald C. White examines and discusses Lincoln's speeches. Having only a sparse knowledge of "Honest Abe" I found the author's enthusiasm contagious. It was an easy read, with just the right level of historical background provided to understand each speech. Highlight for me has to be the chapter on the oft-quoted "Gettysburg Address" (Repeated in many an American Social Studies class in Hollywood movies) and Lincoln's private mediation on the Will of God. Lincoln's strength seems to be both how unpreteniously poetic he is, as well as being clear and memorable. Would recommend. 3.5/5
August 11, 2013
Most reviews of this book are positive, laudatory expressions of Lincoln's speeches and ability to communicate to whatever audience he was focused on. I agree with all of them. I have read much on Lincoln, and especially appreciated Gary Will's book on the Gettysburg Address. This book gave me the whole package, all the major speeches over his entire political life while connecting each speech to the historical context that Lincoln wrote and delivered it. What is most striking about almost all his speeches is his economy of thought and articulation. He could and did say in 5 words what everyone else could not do in 50. His pen and mouth were guided by his fundamental principles which included his deep and abiding faith in his God. This book is one of my treasures, to be savored whenever I need a reminder about what is possible with the human voice.
August 14, 2009
If, in this year celebrating his bicentennial, you are interested in Lincoln as an orator, and in his most famous speeches, then this is the book for you. I've occasionally perused his speeches and got a bit stuck by the language. This book takes segments of his most famous speeches, breaks them down into fragments and explains the meaning.
A good introduction to Lincoln for me, and has spurred me on to read other books about him.
A good introduction to Lincoln for me, and has spurred me on to read other books about him.
February 18, 2016
There's a lot of overlap between this book and White's biography A. Lincoln as well as his smaller book Lincoln's Greatest Speech In fact, this book pretty much does for several of Lincoln's speeches what Lincoln's Greatest Speech does for the Second Inaugural Address. A joy to read. White is pretty eloquent himself.
December 10, 2025
Ever since reading this I can only write with Saxon words and in Italics.
February 6, 2017
A fascinating read that looks at the growth of Abraham Lincoln through his speeches. Each chapter deals with one specific speech, and they are done chronologically to demonstrate how he changed from the way he wrote and delivered speeches from a President-Elect to a second term President. I loved the many anecdotes and White wrote in a way that took complex ideas in many of these 19th century speeches and explained them in an academic yet accessible way. Highly recommended for fans of Lincoln.
July 15, 2019
Loved this book. Picked it up at the gift store associated with Lincoln's Summer Cottage-- a little-known historic site in DC (my daughter & I visited this past summer) that preserves the summer home of the Lincoln's in 1862, 1863 and 1864.
The book is a writer's/speaker's analysis of Lincoln's key speeches, charting both his growth and maturing as a speaker and President. Absolutely a perfect book to be reading if you're preparing to give a speech or public presentation. Will get you in the mood.
The book is a writer's/speaker's analysis of Lincoln's key speeches, charting both his growth and maturing as a speaker and President. Absolutely a perfect book to be reading if you're preparing to give a speech or public presentation. Will get you in the mood.
November 17, 2022
The Civil War is the backdrop in this book, not the focus. White avoids the temptation of many authors to broaden the scope - this is a tight book that looks purely at Lincoln’s evolution as a writer/speaker. Really interesting progression to see how Lincoln became convinced that ending slavery was a means to preserving the union, his primary obligation as president.
August 9, 2017
An amazing study of Lincoln's evolving political philosophy and oratorical genius as seen in his writings and speeches. A must read for any serious Lincoln history fan.
October 5, 2022
Biography of Lincoln told through his speeches. An okay read, I don’t really care about speech structure, but interesting to read about what mattered to Lincoln when addressing the public.
January 2, 2010
This book is a history buff/English teacher's dream, as it chronicles Lincoln's political, rhetorical, and spiritual development AND analyzes several of his speeches from a "technical" point of view (i.e., diction, syntax, tone).
I really enjoyed reading this book and would have rated it higher save for two considerations. First, some of the chapters became repetitive at times, as the one or the other addressed similar issues or uses of language in various speeches. I understand that that method is a legitimate way to build a strong argument, but it made the reading a bit less interesting. Second, the sequence of speeches and addresses was built to lead to a cohesive conclusion, but, selfishly, I would have liked to read more about other of Lincoln's writings in more detail.
In reality, those criticisms are minor. Dr. White does an excellent job in all aspects of this endeavor. I just wanted more.
I really enjoyed reading this book and would have rated it higher save for two considerations. First, some of the chapters became repetitive at times, as the one or the other addressed similar issues or uses of language in various speeches. I understand that that method is a legitimate way to build a strong argument, but it made the reading a bit less interesting. Second, the sequence of speeches and addresses was built to lead to a cohesive conclusion, but, selfishly, I would have liked to read more about other of Lincoln's writings in more detail.
In reality, those criticisms are minor. Dr. White does an excellent job in all aspects of this endeavor. I just wanted more.
August 1, 2008
A few interesting quotes within the book.
"He had a thin, high-pitched falsetto voice of much carrying ower, that could be heard a long distance in spite of the bustle and tumult of the crowd." P. 79
"I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so." P. 81
"Lincoln wrote down ideas on scraps of paper and stray envelopes. Lincoln then put them into his circular file, that miscellaneous and convienient receptacle, his hat." P. 109
"My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery." P. 125
August 10, 2012
A good way to learn about a man's policies and directives is to study the words they speak. This book goes consecutively through Lincoln's presidential speeches to get a closer view of this famous leader. However, the author is obviously an admirer who is trying to convince his readers how wonderful were his powers of speech and persuasion, rather than give a conclusive picture of his agenda.
It has the referenced speeches in the appendices which was very helpful to obtain a deeper understanding of Lincoln's political designs than the text points to. I would recommend going straight to those if you were studying Lincoln himself, and the book if you were looking for material on the quality of rhetoric of his day.
It has the referenced speeches in the appendices which was very helpful to obtain a deeper understanding of Lincoln's political designs than the text points to. I would recommend going straight to those if you were studying Lincoln himself, and the book if you were looking for material on the quality of rhetoric of his day.
September 28, 2016
Some of Lincoln's words, such as those of the Gettysburg Address and the Second Inaugural, are so familiar that it might seem unnecessary to write another book about them. White revitalizes them by placing them in a broader context of Lincoln's presidential addresses. He charts the evolution of Lincoln's thought from the legalistic arguments of the First Inaugural to the theology of the Second. Lincoln's lesser-noted presidential speeches, such as his remarks on the 1861 journey from Springfield to Washington, are given appropriate attention as well. As other reviewers note, the book is weakened by repetition. Overall, however, the book provides a fascinating look at Lincoln's beliefs and habits.
February 19, 2011
Loved this book. Picked it up at the gift store associated with Lincoln's Summer Cottage-- a little-known historic site in DC (my daughter & I visited this past summer) that preserves the summer home of the Lincoln's in 1862, 1863 and 1864.
The book is a writer's/speaker's analysis of Lincoln's key speeches, charting both his growth and maturing as a speaker and President. Absolutely a perfect book to be reading if you're preparing to give a speech or public presentation. Will get you in the mood.
The book is a writer's/speaker's analysis of Lincoln's key speeches, charting both his growth and maturing as a speaker and President. Absolutely a perfect book to be reading if you're preparing to give a speech or public presentation. Will get you in the mood.
July 18, 2007
Sorry to say that this was more of an oversized academic paper than a history book. Obviously well researched, and usually well presented, the book nonetheless lacks a real spark of readability. As much as I like Lincoln, I found myself really laboring through some parts of the so-called narrative. Slightly repetitive at times, this book still is worth reading if you are already very interested in the subject matter.
November 29, 2009
This is the only lincoln book I have completed and I would not be surprised if it is not one of the best. As a lawyer and journalist I love language and words so the concentration on Lincoln's liguistic talents was delightful. Lincoln is a person to genuinely admire and the weight of his words is a reflection on his golden character.
April 21, 2010
This is a fantastic book on Abe Lincoln. The author analyzes Lincoln's development through his speeches and letters, starting after his election and through his death. To look at Lincoln's development as a writer and speaker and to see his ideas develop through the war adds to my already established view of the greatness of our 16th President.
October 27, 2014
One of the most important books that I have ever read. It shows a side of Lincoln's many talents of which I was previously unaware. How did a person with only 2 years of formal schooling become a master writer and orator? This book reveals some of that, although the focus of the book is on the development of his thinking and communications over time which I doubt any other book has pursued.
August 9, 2009
Lincoln was awesome in spite of terrible tragedies...he kept a positive spirit. He did suffer from depression, having lost three children and during his Presidency, he was hated by many. His words are profound and eloquent.
July 29, 2011
Study of major speeches of Lincoln. It is based on the theory that Lincoln, because of the careful way he wrote all his own works, his writings are a better means to see what he was thinking then other contemporary politicians. He is more approachable through his speeches.
September 30, 2012
I really enjoyed this look at Lincoln through a thorough analysis of several of his key speeches. It started slow, but once I got into it a bit, it drew me in well. The author offers helpful analysis and excellent historical detail.
Want to read
July 12, 2007bought today at Elliot Bay Books!
April 26, 2008
Very interesting, scholarly book.
November 5, 2012
Yet another reason to be dazzled by Lincoln's courage, intellect, and wisdom. In each chapter the author provides a close, insightful rhetorical analysis of a different speech or letter.
July 25, 2010
Mostly Lincoln's words some some context and comments.
May 17, 2012
If you are enamored of Lincoln, history and speech writing then this book will inflate your soul
October 1, 2012
I liked this book because it showed the president's journey as a speech maker.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews