The Real Lincoln

A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War

By: Thomas J. Dilorenzo

Narrated by: Charles Constant

Most Americans consider Abraham Lincoln to be the greatest president in history. His legend as the Great Emancipator has grown to mythic proportions as hundreds of books, a national holiday, and a monument in Washington, D.C., extol his heroism and martyrdom.

But what if most everything you knew about Lincoln were false? What if, instead of an American hero who sought to free the slaves, Lincoln were in fact a calculating politician who waged the bloodiest war in American history in order to build an empire that rivaled Great Britain's? In The Real Lincoln, author Thomas J. DiLorenzo uncovers a side of Lincoln not told in many history books and overshadowed by the immense Lincoln legend.

Through extensive research and meticulous documentation, DiLorenzo portrays the 16th president as a man who devoted his political career to revolutionizing the American form of government from one that was very limited in scope and highly decentralized - as the Founding Fathers intended - to a highly centralized, activist state. Standing in his way, however, was the South, with its independent states, its resistance to the national government, and its reliance on unfettered free trade.

©2003 Thomas J. DiLorenzo (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A devastating critique of America's most famous president." (Joseph Sobran, commentator and nationally syndicated columnist)

TRUTH

Finally, TRUTH in the face of overwhelming evidence. Even as a kid I questioned the “greatness” & “purity” of Lincoln- he was just like any other man... corrupt, rotten to the core, & willing to slaughter more than half a million souls on a foundation of lies. He set the standard for the likes of Lenin, Hitler, Stalin, Mao, (insert ruthless dictator here), etc.

Must Read History Book

Great information on Lincoln and the way our nation was hijacked by Centralists during and after the Civil War. Especially enjoyed the last chapter, where the author defends, and explains his defenses. Highly recommend.

Fascinating

Loved it. The reader was a bit too monotone and I had trouble keeping the dates straight but the information and overall narrative completely changed how I look at history. What do we “know” (honest Abe being one thing that’s taught as truth) and what do we get propagandized. Fascinating listen, absolutely recommend.

A true testament to the indoctrination of our education system

This book demolishes the standard understanding of “the great emancipator.” Using undeniable facts and sources, it exposes Lincoln as the power hungry puppet of big business.

Lincoln’s Conquest

I’ve long contended that Lincoln should have let the south go or even rescinded the tariffs to keep unity, but he did not. He was one of the first of the dismantlers of the constitution and set us on a trajectory towards our present mess. I can’t think of another American hero that is more undeserving of that mantle!

states rights stand directly in the way of federal government over reach

the lies about lincoln exposed and the righteous cause myth which modern train of thought pump out like a sewage pipe.

Amazing History Lesson

He was once my favorite president, behind Washington.. I've listened to this book six times and I am left in awe every single time. It's a shame people from both parties try to defend Lincoln... If you are thinking about getting this book, DO IT. It's a phenomenal listen and an educational revelation.

a welcome change

Thete are countless Lincoln biographies available on audible, and virtually all lionize the man, from Carl Sandburg on. Listen to a different take. Delorenzo documents that Lincoln alwayd admitted to be a proponent of Henry Clay's American System. He then makes a cogent argument that Lincoln was primarily motivated to go to war to promote this policy, characterized by the author as a spoils system. He concludes that none of the other myriad countries with slaves had to go to war to abolish slavery. So why did the US?

A Treasure of Information Alien to U.S. Classrooms

Unfortunately I, it seems that most Americans are content to ingest whatever is handed to them by the powers that be without a second thought as to whether it is true or complete. In "The Real Lincoln", Thomas DiLorenzo draws a clear portrait of the real man, politician, lawyer and, ultimately, dictator who forever changed the course of US government and the concept of liberty in this land.
The narration was perfect.

the eye opening book on Lincoln!

in this well-written book not only citations from other books but from the subjects own words is used to describe the real Lincoln. highly recommended for any true scholar of the life of Lincoln and the true source of the Civil War.