Lincoln on the Verge

Thirteen Days to Washington

By: Ted Widmer

Narrated by: Fred Sanders, Ted Widmer

Length: 16 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of the Lincoln Forum Book Prize

“A Lincoln classic...superb.” ­(The Washington Post)

“A book for our time.” (Doris Kearns Goodwin)

Lincoln on the Verge tells the dramatic story of America’s greatest president discovering his own strength to save the Republic. As a divided nation plunges into the deepest crisis in its history, Abraham Lincoln boards a train for Washington and his inauguration - an inauguration Southerners have vowed to prevent. Lincoln on the Verge charts these pivotal 13 days of travel, as Lincoln discovers his power, speaks directly to the public, and sees his country up close. Drawing on new research, this riveting account reveals the president-elect as a work in progress, showing him on the verge of greatness, as he foils an assassination attempt, forges an unbreakable bond with the American people, and overcomes formidable obstacles in order to take his oath of office.

©2020 Ted Widmer (P)2020 Simon & Schuster Audio

Definitely should read

It sounds so simple - a 13 day trip to Washington. But it was so much more. An amazing empathic epic and astonishing history lesson. Highly recommend

A must for civil war buffs!

The historical information was riveting. In-depth analysis of of the country, various historical figures and situations impacting Lincoln using historical documents makes this book difficult to put down.

Fantastic! Read this book!

Wonderful glimpse into Lincoln the human being, an uncomplicated, deeply principled and good man, and where he came from. We see his simple humility and his great strength of character, and calm courage and his heart for ALL his brothers and sisters, and the vision of America he learned from our founding documents. A man of the people, not over the people. Lovely, inspiring look at our 16 th President.

Exceptionally good book

i have read many books about Lincoln. this is one of the very best. Not only does it capture the personality and passions of this great man, but it gives many insights into the forces at play in this troubled time. Really enjoyable and enlightening.

One of my favorite books ever!!

A great history lesson on Lincoln and our developing industrial country told in entertaining fashion.

Lincoln on the Verge, Thirteen Days to Washington

If you've thought you knew everything there was to know about Abe Lincoln, his desperate obsession with the union and equality; you must read this book. If you are under a delusion that Lincoln was racist, you must read this book. You will definitely learn something you did not know.

Short segments are based on life experiences and the election of November 1860, but the bulk of the story spans the 13 days of a journey by train from Springfield, IL, to his inauguration in Washington, DC. During the journey, Jefferson Davis is elected president of the Confederate states, and seven states secede. This story reveals many details of a journey full of extreme peril, assassination attempts, and thousands of people cheering for his new administration - and thousands threatening his life.

The south was determined Lincoln would be killed or never take office, even to the extent of scheming to stop the counting of Electoral College votes. Sound familiar?

A book for THIS time in history, White supremacists and Americans' visceral hate for other Americans isn't anything new. It is EXACTLY why America fought a Civil War. Americans must be vigilant; our country is in dire trouble should our own history repeat itself.

Written by Ted Widmer, narrated by Fred Sanders and Ted Widmer, about 17 hours in length unabridged audiobook format, and released in April 2020 by Simon & Schuster.

Highly recommended.

Great book

The book was insightful, relating a piece of history we should always remember and pass on.
But the reading was jerky and difficult to listen to. I would appreciate a smoother read.

Lincoln’s pilgrimage.

An event I knew about, but learned so much more in this interesting book. With lots of stories and a speech I had not heard before, Lincoln leaves Springfield for Washington.

A book for 2021

Another book about Honest Abe? This, however, is a real eye-opener. Lincoln’s path through the electoral college whose ballots could have been nullified or lost by defeated candidate (& sitting VP) Breckinridge, Lincoln’s odyssey from Illinois to DC and a divided nation - history or current events?

Excellent pacing and narration. Strongly recommended.

A new and thoughtful perspective

I’ve read a lot on Lincoln, and I hesitated to buy this because I doubted if anything could be added. I was wrong. This insightful telling of Lincoln’s rail trip from Springfield to The Capital before his first inauguration was an opportunity to revel in the America of that time. The obvious parallels to our present time made the experience of those days speak to today.