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 insight into Lincoln's political career

Thanks to Audible for making this book available free of charge.

Aside from some childhood biographical passages, this is an in-depth study of Lincoln's political history and philosophy up to 1861. In writing it, Waugh reveals a few interesting events or comments not commonly known, and provides much of the lesser-known biography of Lincoln's perennial rival, Steven A Douglas. A recommended read.

A few mispronounciations do not significantly detract from an otherwise well executed reading.

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.

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.

Good not great (the book, not the man)

One Man Great Enough, Abraham Lincoln’s Road to Civil War, by John Waugh (2007, 12 hr audiobook). In short, this is the story of Abraham Lincoln from birth to inauguration, with much emphasis on the development of his political career. I’m not sure there’s much, if anything, new in this volume, it being exhaustively covered in numerous other books and collections. That said, it’s a well-written overview for anyone not terribly acquainted with the subject, or for anyone who wants a refresher.

Excellent.

A great background of Lincoln from birth to the beginnings of the civil war. Highly recommend.

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.

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.

A must read for every student

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

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.

Outstanding work

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