Abraham Lincoln was the greatest writer of the Civil War as wellas its greatest political leader. His clear, beautiful, and at timesuncompromisingly severe language forever shaped the nation's
understanding of its most terrible conflict. This volume, alongwith its companion, Abraham Lincoln- Speeches and Writings 1832-1858, comprises the mostcomprehensive selection ever published. Over 550 speeches,messages, proclamations, letters, and other writings-includingthe Inaugural and Gettysburg addresses and the moving condolenceletter to Mrs. Bixby-record the words and deeds withwhich Lincoln defended, preserved, and redefined the Union.

LIBRARY OF AMERICAis an independent nonprofit cultural organization founded in 1979 to preserve our nation's literary heritage by publishing, and keeping permanently in print, America's best and most significant writing. The Library of America series includes more than 300 volumes to date, authoritative editions that average 1,000 pages in length, feature cloth covers, sewn bindings, and ribbon markers, and are printed on premium acid-free paper that will last for centuries.