One Man Great Enough

Abraham Lincoln's Road to Civil War

By: John C. Waugh

Narrated by: David Drummond

Length: 12 hrs

Publisher's summary

Abraham Lincoln is the central axis of this story about America's seemingly unstoppable march toward war, the shattering of its political landscape, and its grappling with the moral underpinnings of a republic of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Here are such key events as the Mexican-American War, the Dred Scott Case, westward expansion, the rise of the industrial north, the Lincoln-Douglas debates, and the birth of the Republican Party. And here we meet Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, Zachary Taylor, Stephen Douglas, and abolitionists Wendell Phillips, John Brown, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Harriet Beecher Stowe. We see it all through the breathtaking writings of Lincoln himself, detailing his emergence onto the political scene and the evolution of his beliefs about the Union, democracy, slavery, and civil war.

©2007 John C. Waugh (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"[L]ively prose backed with solid research....Waugh is particularly adept at weaving details of Lincoln's family life into the narrative." ( Publishers Weekly) "General audiences will delight in Waugh's expansive narrative full of colorful anecdotes. This book vividly illustrates why Abraham Lincoln remains a touchstone for democracy." (Thomas F. Schwartz, Illinois State Historian, Lincoln Presidential Library)

Good historical review

What did you love best about One Man Great Enough?

The book gives a great account of Lincolns early days and the experiences and events that lead him to become president.

What did you like best about this story?

There is a lack of color or depth into describing Lincoln’s personality. Just when you started to get a feeling for Lincoln as a man and a look into his soul, the author moves on.

What aspect of David Drummond’s performance would you have changed?

The narrator was often drab in his descriptions and reading of the story, which drained color from who Lincoln’s really was and why he was so beloved and at the same time reviled. Drummond should have focused less on reading and more on description and tone.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Nothing New

This is a well-written and narrated book. It is a good introduction to Abraham Lincoln for a reader who has only a passing familiarity with Lincoln’s life before becoming President. However, the book offers nothing new to one who has read longer and more detailed biographies of Mr. Lincoln.

Solid on Lincoln's Early Political Career

A solid and interesting work on Lincoln's political career up to the outbreak of war. A major secondary focus is on Stephen Douglas and his relationship with Lincoln. Nothing too earthshakingly new about Lincoln (though well told), but the reader may emerge with a slightly better appreciation of Douglas, a flawed but influential Little Giant.

A Story would have been better with less dates

you have to have some reference points but frequently we were bogged down in the detail that interrupted the flow.

I so loved the books and the knowledge I gained. I have done extensive study in this war, the economy, the cultures, the life, politics and thoughts.

This book raised great perspective and also showed the true myths that have been perpetuated on us all. I was born in the south, but I will never raise that flag of hatred again.

Grant is a great follow to this book and deals the true story. Ordinary men at extraordinary times produced great men.

An interesting look at Lincoln

A comprehensive look at the pre-civil war life and development of Lincoln. I had hoped for insight into his handling of that war. So in that regard I was disappointed. However much has been written about his war years. This is a great background story that takes him there. Enjoyed it very much.

I enjoyed it very much

I have read about every Lincoln biography available on audible. I found this one to be very enjoyable. The Narrator was also top notch. Strongly recommend.

Outstanding work

I truly appreciated Waughs book. The epilogue detailing Stephen Douglas’s work with Lincoln to preserve the Union was especially good.

A must read for every student

This book should be required reading to graduate for every high school student in America!

Pretty good

This book was pretty good. It gave a lot of details. It was alright, I have no reason to give it less than 5-stars. It's what I suspected.

Great biography

I have read many biographies of Abraham Lincoln. Other biographies skip much of his formative years. I appreciated the opportunity to get to know the younger Lincoln better.