Title: The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery
Author: Eric Foner
First published September 29, 2010
448 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780393066180 (ISBN10: 0393066185)
Rating: 4.17
Overview
Eric Foner’s The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery is a masterpiece of historical scholarship that delves deep into the transformation of Lincoln and America through the crucible of slavery and emancipation. Winner of the prestigious Pulitzer Prize, Bancroft Prize, and Lincoln Prize, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in American history.
Foner takes us on a journey from Lincoln’s early years in Indiana and Illinois to his rise to leadership in the Republican Party and his presidency during a divided nation and a time of war. With measured steps and deliberate actions, Lincoln navigates the dynamic politics of his time and embraces the Civil War’s “fundamental and astounding” result: the immediate abolition of slavery and recognition of black Americans as citizens.
Foner’s portrayal of Lincoln as a leader who grows morally and politically through engagement with allies and critics is nothing short of remarkable. This book is a powerful and transformative work that sheds new light on the nation’s greatest president and the issue that mattered most.
About the Author
Eric Foner, a professor of history at Columbia University, has dedicated his teaching and research to examining the Civil War, Reconstruction, slavery, and nineteenth-century America. He earned both his B.A. and Ph.D. from Columbia University.
Among his many accolades, Foner’s book Reconstruction: America’s Unfinished Revolution, 1863–1877 won the Bancroft, Parkman, and Los Angeles Times Book prizes and is the definitive history of that time period. In 2010, he published his latest book, The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery.
Foner’s teaching skills were recognized in 2006 when he received the Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching at Columbia University. He has also held the presidencies of the Organization of American Historians, the American Historical Association, and the Society of American Historians.
Editoral Review
The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery is an illuminating work of historical literature written by Eric Foner, a preeminent scholar of the Civil War and Reconstruction era. Published in 2010, this Pulitzer Prize-winning book serves as a comprehensive exploration of Lincoln’s evolving views on slavery and the crucial role that abolition played in shaping America’s destiny.
Grounded in meticulous research and vivid prose, this book is both a scholarly investigation and a compelling narrative, making it accessible to both academic and general readers. Foner begins by contextualizing the political and social landscape of Lincoln’s time, demonstrating how various factions advocated for slavery, including those who were openly racist and those who were more moderate.
Foner highlights how Lincoln’s political career was shaped by the moral and political controversies surrounding slavery, culminating in his condemnation of the institution in the Emancipation Proclamation. Foner skillfully balances historical facts with a nuanced understanding of the characters and events he describes, crafting a narrative that showcases how Lincoln’s actions and beliefs were influenced by the complex political and social currents of his time.
Foner depicts Lincoln as a shrewd and tireless politician who used his rhetorical skills, moral authority, and personal convictions to translate his opposition to slavery into actual policy change. Foner also offers an honest critique of Lincoln’s limitations and contradictions, acknowledging how Lincoln’s pre-Civil War views on race and slavery differed from what modern readers might expect of an abolitionist.
However, Foner emphasizes that Lincoln’s evolution towards abolition and advocacy for civil rights marked a significant shift in America’s national dialogue and laid the groundwork for future progress towards civil rights and social justice. The Fiery Trial is a groundbreaking work of scholarship that will appeal to readers of all backgrounds, ranging from those with an academic interest in history to those who simply enjoy a good biography.
Foner’s writing is clear and accessible, making complex political and social debates easy to comprehend. The book’s themes of political struggle, moral clarity, and social progress remain relevant today, and Foner’s analysis serves as a reminder of how historical events continue to shape our national conversation.
I highly recommend The Fiery Trial to anyone interested in American history or social justice issues. It receives a rating of 4.5 out of 5, reflecting its nuanced analysis, compelling narrative, and relevance to contemporary debates.
