And There Was Light

Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle

De: Jon Meacham

Narrado por: Jon Meacham

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Jon Meacham chronicles the life of Abraham Lincoln, charting how—and why—he confronted secession, threats to democracy, and the tragedy of slavery to expand the possibilities of America.

“Meacham has given us the Lincoln for our time.”—Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Winner of the Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize • Longlisted for the Biographers International Plutarch Award • One of the Best Books of the Year: The Christian Science Monitor, Kirkus Reviews

A president who governed a divided country has much to teach us in a twenty-first-century moment of polarization and political crisis. Hated and hailed, excoriated and revered, Abraham Lincoln was at the pinnacle of American power when implacable secessionists gave no quarter in a clash of visions bound up with money, race, identity, and faith. In him we can see the possibilities of the presidency as well as its limitations.

At once familiar and elusive, Lincoln tends to be seen as the greatest of American presidents—a remote icon—or as a politician driven more by calculation than by conviction. This illuminating new portrait gives us a very human Lincoln—an imperfect man whose moral antislavery commitment, essential to the story of justice in America, began as he grew up in an antislavery Baptist community; who insisted that slavery was a moral evil; and who sought, as he put it, to do right as God gave him to see the right.

This book tells the story of Lincoln from his birth on the Kentucky frontier in 1809 to his leadership during the Civil War to his tragic assassination in 1865: his rise, his self-education, his loves, his bouts of depression, his political failures, his deepening faith, and his persistent conviction that slavery must end. In a nation shaped by the courage of the enslaved of the era and by the brave witness of Black Americans, Lincoln’s story illustrates the ways and means of politics in a democracy, the roots and durability of racism, and the capacity of conscience to shape events.

©2022 Jon Meacham (P)2022 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“In his captivating new book, Jon Meacham has given us the Lincoln for our time. And There Was Light brilliantly interweaves the best of gripping narrative history with a deeper search for the complex interplay among morality, politics, and power in a life, in a democracy, and in an America ripped apart over slavery. Here Meacham takes us to the heart of the president who shaped events at ‘the existential hour.’ In doing so, he fortifies us to meet our own.”—Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

“Biography at its best, the great historian Barbara Tuchman wrote, paints an intimate portrait of an individual which simultaneously provides a sweeping view of history. With this deep, compelling work, Jon Meacham has achieved this gold standard. Written with wisdom and grace, his story of Lincoln’s complex moral journey to Emancipation mirrors America’s long quest to live up to its founding ideals.”—Doris Kearns Goodwin

“With his singular gift for compelling narrative and groundbreaking analysis, Jon Meacham illuminates not only Lincoln and his times but, just as much, the troubled society that we live in today.”—Michael Beschloss

A delight in listening…

Jon Mecham reads in his clear voice his own words, and as always they are thoughtfully chosen. Our country has been tried in the past and come through it. There is so much to digest that I just might listen again… thanks Jon.

A new Lincoln for a new generation

This work by Jon Meacham “And There Was Light” is nothing less than fantastic. Mr. Meacham knows his subject well and the times in which he portrays. Having covered Jefferson,Jackson,FDR,Bush 43 and(in smaller amounts) Washington,TR,Wilson,Truman, and LBJ;he takes on arguably the greatest of them all to crate an enthralling story which connects with our present in many ways. It seemed shorter than I expected. Longer than his work on Jackson but shorter than his Jefferson and Bush biographies. However if you’re someone who doesn’t know the story of Lincoln or the era,this is definitely a great place to start.

A masterful modern telling of Lincoln’s life

With many new insights. A balanced and fair history leaning towards Lincoln as a great man, as is appropriate.

Meacham, a great storyteller

I have read several books on Lincoln, but Jon Meacham distills them all into a masterful book. Every detail illustrates a new aspect of Lincoln, most good, some not. Such is the nature of telling the story of such a complex man. Truly one of our greatest presidents, Lincoln’s legacy will hopefully illuminate the path for our country’s future.

Awed, moved and astonished

Undoubtedly the best work of historical and moral biography I have ever read. Pulitzer certain.

Remarkable!!

Certainly one of the best biographies of Lincoln ever written. Congratulations to the author on the work and the reading.

Loved the insight

We’ll written book with large amounts of details to give an in-depth account of Lincoln life and internal turmoil.

Outstanding

I’ve read many books on Lincoln but I learned new things on Lincoln I’ve never knew. Meacham research is amazing. I encourage you to read this masterpiece.

A too brief History

Especially pertinent in the perilous anti-democratic times we are living today. The Southern Population hasn’t learned anything in the last 260 years except how to pass down hatred and ignorance generation after generation.

An inspiring and majestic leader

I am amazed by the faithful insight and dedication to liberty for all humans. I hope our nation will read this story and dedicate ourselves to “justice for all.”