Lincoln and the Fight for Peace

By: John Avlon

Narrated by: John Avlon

A groundbreaking and “affecting and powerful” (The New York Times Book Review) history of Abraham Lincoln’s plan to secure a just and lasting peace after the Civil War—a vision that inspired future presidents as well as the world’s most famous peacemakers.

As the tide of the Civil War turned in the spring of 1865, Abraham Lincoln took a dangerous two-week trip to visit the troops on the front lines accompanied by his young son, seeing combat up close, meeting liberated slaves in the ruins of Richmond, and comforting wounded Union and Confederate soldiers.

The power of Lincoln’s personal example in the closing days of the war offers a portrait of a peacemaker. He did not demonize people he disagreed with. He used humor, logic, and scripture to depolarize bitter debates. Balancing moral courage with moderation, Lincoln believed that decency could be the most practical form of politics, but he understood that people were more inclined to listen to reason when greeted from a position of strength. Ulysses S. Grant’s famously generous terms of surrender to General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox that April were an expression of a president’s belief that a soft peace should follow a hard war.

While his assassination sent the country careening off course, Lincoln’s vision would be vindicated long after his death, inspiring future generations in their own quests to secure a just and lasting peace. As US General Lucius Clay, architect of the post-WWII German occupation said when asked what guided his decisions: “I tried to think of the kind of occupation the South would have had if Abraham Lincoln had lived.”

Lincoln and the Fight for Peace reveals with “its graceful prose and wise insights” (Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Soul of America) how Lincoln’s character informed his commitment to unconditional surrender followed by a magnanimous peace. Even during the Civil War, surrounded by reactionaries and radicals, he refused to back down from his belief that there is more that unites us than divides us. But he also understood that peace needs to be waged with as much intensity as war. Lincoln’s plan to win the peace is his unfinished symphony, but in its existing notes, we can find an anthem that can begin to bridge our divisions today.

2024 Election

This biography couldn’t be more timely in our nation’s present times. Listen ( or read) this book & think of the candidates running. No party has a perfect platform & no candidate running is without fault, but ask yourself self when done this book, “What character of the person running should represent you & the USA,” And if one of these two candidates were alive and in charge following the Civil War, who would have been the better leader & more compassionate and better for the country.
James M

The level of new historical facts was outstanding.

The disclosure of many excellent new historical facts was so impressive and helped to further understand Abraham Lincoln and his greatness.

Wisdom for all times and especially America's time

i have shared this book titleand ideas from this book more than any other book in my life. We should do all we can to bring our country together. We can not afford malious to any person.

Great book

I have recommended this book so so many people. It has been one of my favorite books and maybe the best book I have ever read.

perfect explanation

loved this book! this should be a book that is required in all high schools. the story of how much Lincoln not only did but how much he left for us the continue to learn