This Fiery Trial

William Gienapp has edited a new edition of Lincoln's writings intended to supplement as well as serve as a companion to his short biography Abraham Lincoln and Civil War America. This concise edition will appeal to both a general audience interested in becoming acquainted with Lincoln via his writings, speeches, and letters, as well as to students in college courses covering the Civil War and Lincoln's presidency. Gienapp has provided longer and more detailed introductory headnotes than those offered by similar collections of Lincoln's writings, while at the same time, through judicious selection and editorial focus, he has kept the length short enough to make it an attractive supplementary text for college courses. This edition contains selections from Lincoln's writings from his early years to his death, with primary emphasis on the presidential years. Some documents, especially letters, are published in full, but many of the documents, particularly speeches, annual messages, proclamations, and public letters have been carefully condensed to preserve the full meaning and significance of Lincoln's writings while at the same time maximizing the collection's conciseness. Taken together the selections convey Lincoln's basic ideas, the nature of his wartime leadership, and his personality and character.