Abraham Lincoln's Path to Reelection in 1864 ─ Our Greatest Victory

The fate of the Union and the emancipation of slaves were at stake in the national election of 1864. It was the most important election in the history of the United States, and a beacon of hope for the world. As Abraham Lincoln explained: “The most reliable indication of public purpose in this country is derived though our popular elections.” Lincoln’s presidency is taken step by step, and the words quoted are Lincoln’s own, and so too the words of opponents and allies. Lincoln took office faced with a bankrupt nation without a currency, a tax structure, a functioning government, or a loyal and effective military. The book addresses Lincoln’s oversight of the national reconstruction while functioning as commander-in-chief. This is the story of how Lincoln mastered language, and how his words changed public perspective, drove home emancipation, reignited the ideals of freedom, and saved democratic government. In all he said, Lincoln’s words speak freedom to peoples the world over today as in 1864.

Fred Martin’s lifelong interest in Abraham Lincoln and the study of history, government, and politics, coupled with experience as a news reporter in political campaigns, in politics, and in governmental activities, makes him the perfect author for this book. He has devoted the last twenty years to researching Lincoln at the Library of Congress, state historical societies, archives, and libraries across the nation. A retired bank executive, he is a visiting scholar at the University of California Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies.