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LINCOLN STUDY FORUM

 
The Lincoln Miracle:
Inside the Republican Convention that Changed History 
 
By Edward Achorn

Achorn provides an insider's view of what many consider the most consequential political moment in American history. The book is filled with rich descriptions about all aspects of the Republican national convention. Achorn captures the ups and downs of how Lincoln was nominated despite being relatively unknown compared to the popular contenders who were expected to secure the top spot. The author describes the bustling Chicago and New York scenes filled with power brokers ready to clinch the nominations, starting with influential New York Senator William Seward as the overwhelming favorite. With thousands singing his praises, how could Seward lose?

 

Excitement was in the air with the launching of a relatively new national party, a shifting political landscape, and the tense political drama that unfolded over six days. The book explores the genius of Abraham Lincoln's quiet strategies, the partisan battles, the raging racism of slavery, and carefully notes the distinction between fighting to end the spread of slavery versus ending the slavery system itself.

 

The Lincoln Miracle describes the deal-making, personal contacts and alignments, and even the impact of the night marches of the Wide Awakes, a new Republican youth organization complete with military regalia and Tiki torches. With the country still coming to grips with the recent contentious presidential nomination process and election, this is a perfect time to look back and explore how Lincoln was nominated while dealing with the deeply rooted fissures in the country that still continue to persist.

 

Edward Achorn is a Pulitzer Prize finalist and the author of the highly praised Every Drop of Blood: The Momentous Second Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, as well as acclaimed books about 19th-century baseball and American culture.

 

Jeffrey Boutwell, author of the forthcoming book on his 19th-century ancestor, George S. Boutwell, Boutwell: Radical Republican and Champion of Democracy, will facilitate the discussions. 

 

Our three sessions on The Lincoln Miracle are Saturday, December 14th; January 18th; and February 22nd from 10 AM to 12 PM (eastern time) and will be held via Zoom.

  

New participants are welcome.             See note below for how to join.
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Join the Study Forum

All members of the Lincoln Group are welcome to participate in this study and discussion group.  The Study Forum meets once a month on a Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon, eastern time.  Most often, we learn from a recently published book about Lincoln or his era.  Members submit questions to a facilitator who organizes the meeting format for maximum engagement. 

 

You are welcome to join at any time regardless of your personal knowledge level.  We are all learning together to better appreciate the leadership and legacy of Abraham Lincoln.  We ask that you do the reading and participate in the conversation.  While we have met in person at the Ford's Theatre Learning Center, we are currently Zoomers, meeting from the comfort of our homes. 

Sign up or ask questions using the contact comment box at the bottom of this page.  You are also welcome to try us out  if you are considering membership.

Current Discussion  The Lincoln Miracle: Inside the Republican Convention that Changed History. 

By Edward Achorn

Autographed copies are available at the Abraham Lincoln Book Shop, 824 W. Superior St., Suite 100, Chicago IL 60642, and at:

ALincolnBookShop.com

      

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Lincoln Group of the District of Columbia, PO Box 5676, Washington D.C. 20016

LincolnianDC@gmail.com   All Rights Reserved 2021

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