And There Was Light

Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle

By: Jon Meacham

Narrated by: Jon Meacham

Length: 17 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Critic reviews

“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

Wisdom, Intelligence and Frailty Exists in us All

Lincoln grew up in a poor and broken home. Yet that struggle to rise from humble beginnings shaped the man that stood the course becoming a lawyer, Senator and President of the United States. Through civil war and the immancipation of the slaves.

Yes, Lincoln had his faults, as we all do. He also recognized that his life, and the direction of our nation, was nothing unless guided by a higher cause, a higher power.

This book lays out his life with both virtues and faults, good and bad. There is a great deal to be learned and Meacham does a masterful job of putting Lincoln's triumphs and short comings in context of the history and times that he lived in.

Timely and meaningful

I’m so glad that John Meacham narrated his book himself. I love the sound of his voice - calm, soothing, deep - and have enjoyed seeing him on various MSNBC programs. He’s the perfect person to write a book about Lincoln, and his knowledge and insight were evident.

The horrifying mentality of wealthy southern whites is nothing new, and the twisted minds that could view a society based on slavery is both appalling and incomprehensible. And yet it continues to this day. I can’t help but think that Lincoln made a mistake and should’ve left Dixie’s secession alone. It would have sunk in the mire of its own making at some point, and avoided the deaths of half a million soldiers.

Lincoln was absolutely correct in viewing slavery as the abomination it was, but he was mistaken in believing that he could force those whose lavish lifestyles depended on it into giving that up and actually having to do their own work to earn their living.

In any case, this book was, as is always the case with Mr. Meacham, beautifully written, and this audio book is beautifully narrated as well. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Unsurpassed!

The book would not be the same without the author’s narration.
Many thanks to him.

Brilliant view of Lincoln from the 21st Century

I feel like I know Abraham Lincoln personally after this remarkable biography. Meacham casts more light on Lincoln's religious and racial beliefs and puts them in a better context than previous biographies. The author's awareness of important current historical events is reflected in the narrative. I'm obviously not a scholar or historian, but this, for me, is one of the most important books I've ever experienced. The brilliant use of contemporary letters, anecdotes, and media reports was amazing and reflects the depth of Meacham's research. The author's narration was steady and surprisingly listenable without resorting to emotionalism.

Great book

I really enjoyed the book and the reading. It gives a real sense of the man and the times; opening my eyes to the past and the present alike.

Truthfully executed

As painful as our American history is there are those who dare to tell it. Thank you Jon. Speak truth to those who would silence it.

Needed Reminder

Meacham presents a Lincoln that we can call “God’s Lawyer.” Lincoln is thorough in making his case for emancipation and Union with religious argument. Thoroughly enjoyable book.

A Magnificent Book

Listen to Lincoln’s story and be up close to a truly great man. Hearing his words startles the mind and soul. I had no idea what hell Lincoln endured. The North was losing the war while he calmly wrote the Emancipation Proclamation, his Second Inaugural speech, and the Gettysburg Address. He wrote for the ages.

Fascinating Book

Meacham’s research and beautiful writing style is unmatched. It is a special treat having it read by the author. Highly recommended!

A book that must read by all American

I have a love of books and have a library of about 800 volumes and 700+ audibles. It’s has been a long time since one has move both as this has. Jon Meacham in his reading has brought history to life as if it happened just a day or two ago. As I get older listen more than read but still buy the hard bound copies. Too hold a book in one’s hands is a challenge to open the cover and dive in and get loss in the writers gift for an hour, a day, a week or more but it alway remain in your memory forever.