The Fiery Trial

Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery

By: Eric Foner

Narrated by: Norman Dietz

Pulitzer Prize, History, 2011

In this landmark work of deep scholarship and insight, Eric Foner gives us the definitive history of Abraham Lincoln and the end of slavery in America. Foner begins with Lincoln's youth in Indiana and Illinois and follows the trajectory of his career across an increasingly tense and shifting political terrain from Illinois to Washington, D.C.

Although "naturally anti-slavery" for as long as he can remember, Lincoln scrupulously holds to the position that the Constitution protects the institution in the original slave states. But the political landscape is transformed in 1854 when the Kansas-Nebraska Act makes the expansion of slavery a national issue.

A man of considered words and deliberate actions, Lincoln navigates the dynamic politics deftly, taking measured steps, often along a path forged by abolitionists and radicals in his party. Lincoln rises to leadership in the new Republican Party by calibrating his politics to the broadest possible antislavery coalition. As president of a divided nation and commander in chief at war, displaying a similar compound of pragmatism and principle, Lincoln finally embraces what he calls the Civil War's "fundamental and astounding" result: the immediate, uncompensated abolition of slavery and recognition of Blacks as American citizens. Foner's Lincoln emerges as a leader, one whose greatness lies in his capacity for moral and political growth through real engagement with allies and critics alike. This powerful work will transform our understanding of the nation's greatest president and the issue that mattered most.

©2010 Eric Foner (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

"[A] searching portrait." ( Publishers Weekly)

Objective and Informative

Well researched, narrator a bit aggressive. I’ve been reading about the American Civil War and Abraham Lincoln most of my life. I’ve seen hundreds of documentaries. I’ve heard a few historians try to discredit Abraham Lincoln by stating that he did not do enough to end American slavery. Those people apparently did not have a clear understanding of how our government works or how huge and diverse this country is, or perhaps they could not get past their own prejudices. This is no small accomplishment. We all struggle with this in one way or another. Abraham Lincoln wanted to keep the United States together as a country, but he wanted and needed to figure out how people, and himself, could treat everyone fairly, and with respect. He was insulted and criticized every day, all day. Newspaper editors, military generals, politicians, visitors to the White House — they criticized everything from his physical appearance to the way he dressed, the way he spoke, and what he thought. Yet, he did not return their insults. Two of his children died, his wife went crazy from grief, but he kept going, trying to do a good job. No excuses. Then, when the war was nearly over, a cowardly man, full of hate, sneaked up on Mr. Lincoln while he was sitting and vulnerable, and murdered him by shooting him in the head. The hate came from the fact that the south had lost the war and slavery was finished. Mr. Lincoln was publicly talking about his plans to reconstruct the south, and trying to figure out ways that the federal government could get the individual states to provide education, jobs, voting rights, etc. for former slaves. When Mr. Lincoln died, his vice-president, Andrew Johnson, assumed the presidency. He purposely tried to ruin everything Mr. Lincoln had tried to accomplish concerning reconstruction and “healing the nations wounds“. It’s always been easier to tear something down than to build. I don’t know if Abraham Lincoln could have influenced a huge nation to behave differently than they did. I do know that the man who followed him as president actively cooperated with politicians who were out only for personal gain and power. Those men left a legacy of untold suffering and disregard for civil rights.

detailed history

Gives a thorough understanding of the evolution of Lincoln's thinking on slavery and the argument today about whether the civil war was at its heart about slavery. (it was).

Outstanding Portrait of Lincoln's Struggle

The author not only traces the significant historical events surrounding Lincoln and slavery, but he deftly provides historical perspective to help the reader understand Lincoln's struggle. The issue of slavery is so easy for us to condemn today, but Lincoln had to deal with the issue in the context of a civil war, the racism of his day, and his own developing ideas on slavery and race. Tracing Lincoln's struggle helps us trace America's struggle with this cruel practice that nearly tore the nation apart. It is a very good book.

I can't follow the narrator.

Good story, but the narrator is too fast and monotone. it's just a blur. Better to read the book, I think.

Detailed and well documented in the various points made.

I liked everything about the book but especially the patient movement through all the various stages of Lincoln’s growth. The book clearly shows him moving gradually from anti-slavery to accepting full abolitionism yet clinging to a doctrine that sought fairness to all parties involved.

Balanced and thoughtful book. It also shows that professional narration is essential to a successful audio book.