|
|
|
|
|
|
Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words that Remade America (Simon & Schuster Lincoln Library)
written by Garry Wills
Studio : Simon & Schuster
by Simon & Schuster
Publisher : Simon & Schuster
Released : 2006-11-14
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 9780743299633
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 54 reviews)
List Price : $14.00
Our Price : $8.49
|
|
| |
|
Americancivilwar.com |
|
A former professor of Greek at Yale University, Wills painstakingly deconstructs Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and discovers heavy influence from the early Greeks (Pericles) and the 19th century Transcendentalists (Edward Everett). The author also probes Lincoln's decision to rely more on the Declaration of Independence than the U.S. Constitution, a decision Wills says represented a "revolution in thought." He speaks effusively of the 272-word address: "All modern political prose descends from [it]. The Address does what all great art accomplishes. [I]t tease[s] us out of thought." Wills' book won the 1992 National Book Critics Circle Award for Criticism. |
| |
|
Product Description |
|
The power of words has rarely been given a more compelling demonstration than in the Gettysburg Address. Lincoln was asked to memorialize the gruesome battle. Instead he gave the whole nation "a new birth of freedom" in the space of a mere 272 words. His entire life and previous training and his deep political experience went into this, his revolutionary masterpiece. By examining both the address and Lincoln in their historical moment and cultural frame, Wills breathes new life into words we thought we knew, and reveals much about a president so mythologized but often misunderstood. Wills shows how Lincoln came to change the world and to effect an intellectual revolution, how his words had to and did complete the work of the guns, and how Lincoln wove a spell that has not yet been broken. |
| |
|
| |
|
Must reading for everyone |
|
This is the second copy I have purchased of this book - the first is in tatters from being read so often, by me and by my friends. It is a classic, and should be required reading for all high school students. Full of insights into Lincoln, the classic forms of writing, and an extraordinary section about how burial sites have evolved, it is a must read. |
| |
|
It's Not What You Say But How You Say It. |
The study of words, philology, worked well for Abraham Lincoln before and during his short presidency. The Power of words. He knew how to use the words of the common folks and could be euridite in his oratory. Mainly he used short, easy to remember elocutions for the best effect.
As with all good speakers, he used silence and pauses well (never "uhs" to fill in -- nothing turns the listener off as even on "uh" -- it means you're not prepared and have not mastered what you want or need to say.
Herman S. Frey said, "Perjurer Sanford Conover was jailed for his false accusation that Jefferson Davis was involved in Lincoln's assassination in any way." Lincoln's well-thought through address spoke for the turmoil of that day and for future political rhetoric of our time.
The study of words, philology, worked well for Abraham Lincoln before and during his short presidency. The Power of words. He knew how to use the words of the common folks and could be euridite in his oratory. Mainly he used short, easy to remember elocutions for the best effect.
As with all good speakers, he used silence and pauses well (never "uhs" to fill in -- nothing turns the listener off as even on "uh" -- it means you're not prepared and have not mastered what you want or need to say Lawyers in Lincoln's time debated as a form of perfecting the art of persuation and philolgy (also psychology) to win that debate. Most were educated at college and universities (some at prestigious universities abraod), and enjoyed the power of appropriate words and the victory over his opponent. Abraham was self-educated for the most part. His unkempt appearance gave the impression that he wasn't "polished. It takes a great man to be the victor in a battle of words. When he opened his mouth to speak in his high tenor voice, it wasn't how he sounded it was what he said which mattered. Speaking is not just talking or membling words (I know someone who does that quite well, but I admit he can sing.). His expressive eyes, wry humor, knowledge of his subject and hand gestures (even body language) made him not just impressive but a leader of men.
Herman S. Frey said, "Perjurer Sanford Conover was jailed for his false accusation that Jefferson Davis was involved in Lincoln's assassination in any way." Lincoln's well-thought through address spoke for the turmoil of that day and for future political rhetoric of our time. Lincoln was aware of the power of his rhetoric to define war aims. He made the 80-mile trip from Washington City to Gettysburg for a reason. It was important as to time and place for his historic three-minute oration to change the country into a nation with hope for a future. Not only inspiring, "it was a product of the moment, ...as Lincoln moverd under destiny's guidance. "How Lincoln Won the War With Metaphors" says it all. |
| |
|
I started reading again |
Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words that Remade America (Simon & Schuster Lincoln Library)
I had been reading only business books until this book came out. I had always enjoyed reading about Lincoln and the Civil War. Wills book brought all that back to life for me and I set out reading history and literature again. His style with great research took me straight to scenes. I read it in one sitting. |
| |
|
Paper I did for Grad class |
In his book, Lincoln at Gettysburg, Garry Wills sets about debunking the myths, legends, and rumors concerning Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address." Wills seeks to show that because of the Gettysburg Address " . . . the Civil War is what Lincoln wanted it to mean." (pg. 38) Wills helps the reader understand what events, speeches, and speakers had impacted Lincoln in the past, which ultimately influenced Lincoln's selection of words for the speech itself. Wills notes that the speech had influences from such diverse sources as Daniel Webster, Thomas Jefferson, as well as Greek figures such as Pericles. The book also describes the rural cemetery movement that was beginning to rise at the time of the speech, which was influential in the design of the Gettysburg Cemetery. The book also answers many of the critics of Lincoln, who argue the speech and the Emancipation Proclamation were weak, and illustrate Lincoln's propensity of clever evasions and key silences concerning key issues. Willis also notes how the style of the address was the forerunner of a new way of communicating, a way fit for the machine age.
One of the first topics Wills addresses is the myth that the man who spoke before Lincoln, Edward Everett, impositioned the audience with a two-hour long speech that bored the listeners. Wills notes long speeches were common, and expected for the day. He gives reference to the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858, which illustrate that Lincoln himself was capable and comfortable speaking at length before groups of people. Willis also emphasizes that Everett was the invited speaker for the dedication, and Lincoln had been asked simply to give some remarks. Wills also demystifies the story that Lincoln wrote the address on a napkin, or while sitting on the stand during Everett's speech. Wills notes Lincoln composed he speeches thoughtfully, to simply jot one down quickly would be out of character. (pg. 28)
Wills notes the Greek revival that was occurring in America at this time, and the influence it had on Everett and Lincoln. Everett had been a leading proponent of the Greek Style, influencing many through his speeches, as well as the time he spent teaching at Harvard. Wills notes Everett had inspired many of the Transcendentalists, including Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson stated that the Gettysburg Address would not " . . . easily be surpassed by words on nay recorded occasion." (pg. 47) Wills notes that Everett could be given credit, as much as anyone else, in creating the conditions for Lincoln's address, and his classicism was as much a forerunner to Lincoln as his foil. (pg. 47)
Understanding exactly what Lincoln meant in the speech is one of Wills' primary goals. To help the reader understand, Wills dissects many of the passages from the address, and then gives the reader insight into Lincoln's personality. One of the key phrases of the speech concerns the fathers of the country. Wills notes that Lincoln never seems to have been interested in George Washington. To Lincoln, the founding fathers were those who were the authors of the Declaration of Independence, particularly Thomas Jefferson, whom Lincoln considered the most distinguished politician in America's history.
Wills shows how Lincoln used the Gettysburg Address to refresh the memories of Americans the ideals the founding fathers placed in the Declaration of Independence, and the self-evident truth that `all men are created equal.' Wills notes how Lincoln's earlier speeches illustrate his ideas on slavery, which was the complete opposite of equality. Lincoln also used the Declaration to stress that the nation was founded in unity, and should stay unified. Wills states, "For him, the fathers are always the begetters of the national idea. The founders of the nation founded it on that." (pg. 86) Wills also notes how Lincoln and Daniel Webster felt the Declaration of Independence was closer to being the founding document of the United States than was the Constitution. (pg. 130) The ideals stated in the Declaration were more pure than the Constitution, which was based on compromises. Wills adds excerpts from Lincoln's speeches, which illustrate how the Constitution was to make a more `perfect union,' but not define the union itself.
To most Americans, the consensus opinion of the Gettysburg Address is to place it among the greatest speeches ever given, if not the greatest. Wills shows how Lincoln derived much of the address from his accumulated experiences. Some historians, particularly Richard Hofstadter, see the address as another instance where Lincoln avoided the issues and sought to placate the nation with weak rhetoric. Hofstadter does not criticize the address in the book, however it is noted that Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation issued earlier that year was completely neglected in the address. Hofstadter says the Emancipation Proclamation " . . . had all the moral grandeur of a bill of lading. It contained no indictment of slavery, but simply based emancipation on `military necessity'. " (pg. 137)
Hofstadter further accuses Lincoln of being of two minds, which changed depending on the demographic of his audience. Hofstadter illustrates this by contrasting Lincoln's speeches he gave in Southern Illinois, versus speeches he gave in Northern Illinois. Hofstadter said Lincoln possibly believed whatever he uttered at the time he delivered it. He states, " Possibly his mind too was a house divided against itself." (pg. 92) Wills contends Hofstadter is pursuing false issues regarding Lincoln's speeches. Wills argues that it was not a matter of his position on the issues, but rather Lincoln chose when to "tickle the racism of his audience" (pg. 93)
One of the more interesting issues Wills concentrates on is the style of the address itself. Lincoln was noted to prefer succinctness and brevity to long overdrawn prose. Wills illustrates this in Lincoln's dispatches with General Grant. Grant was known for his dispatches that related the facts in the fewest words possible. Lincoln learned to be brief as well because of his telegraphs to Grant and other generals. Lincoln developed a reluctance to waste words and omitting coupling words. Lincoln also arranged the address so key words were repeated, so that each paragraph was bound to the preceding and following paragraphs. Wills states, "He was a Transcendentalist without the fuzziness. He spoke a modern language because he was dealing with a scientific age for which abstract words are appropriate." (pg. 174) Wills believes Lincoln was not addressing an agrarian future, but a mechanical future, in which economical speech that meshed like the gears of a machine was needed.
Willis tackles a subject that many Americans learned at an early age, but likely never thought about the deep meanings behind the short speech. Wills includes criticism of recent leaders and politicians such as Ronald Reagan, Robert Bork, and Ed Meese. Whatever his opinions regarding these men and their ideas, it seemed out of place with the rest of the book, and unfortunately dates what could be a timeless analysis of the Gettysburg Address. Despite the minor flaws, the book offers great insight and reflection upon an event in history that to many has lost its significance.
|
| |
|
Profound. Insightful. Relevant. Powerful. |
Garry Wills writes, "Hemingway claimed that modern American novels are the offspring of Huckleberry Finn. It is no exaggeration to say that all modern political prose descends from the Gettysburg Address."
Indeed, Edward Everett was given top billing that day and was to deliver a customary address of two or three hours. Lincoln's remarks were solicited almost as an afterthought. But Everett's day was over, a new era had begun, and America would never be the same. Political discourse would never be the same.
At Gettysburg, "Lincoln does not argue history or politics, he makes history...He came to change the world." As time has judged these words and valued this work, he did. He called up a new nation, reborn, and rededicated.
Wills takes a long, deep drink of the draft of this address. He circumspectly explores the culture, the politics, the popular culture, the context of the times. "Lincoln at Gettysburg" is a circumspect work in the hands of a masterful author, worthy of reading and re-reading. An important edition for every library.
|
| |
|
|
|
