Abraham Lincoln is unfailingly the second president students learn about in grade school, right after George Washington. As far as I can remember, the only thing taught about "Honest Abe" was that he was born in a log cabin and had to walk 12 miles to the library, uphill both ways, "unlike you little brats who have a library in your own school and don't even use it." Of course, I learned more faceless, boring facts about our 16th president in eventual class notes about names and dates. President during the Civil War who was killed by John Wilkes Booth in 1865. Author and deliverer of the Gettysburg Address and the Emancipation Proclamation. In a word, the faceless president sounded noteworthy yet unworthy of the title "second president taught in grade school."
Of course, in my cynically skeptical mind, "second best" was still unremarkable for a politician. The ignoble profession notorious for lying, selling out, and smirking could not possibly lay claim to an "honest" man, much less a great president. Perhaps grade school teachers celebrated Lincoln because he died before his sell-outs caught up to him and sooner than anyone could find any dirt on the president. Or Lincoln was a mythical fluke. Early on, I had learned about his biblical height and majestic beard, as well as his improbable self-education and remarkable eloquence. Yet he remained a politician sly enough to finagle into the presidency, a job with no room for greatness. Thus a contradiction arose: either politicians could achieve greatness, or Lincoln, too, fell short of it. My solution called for the latter. Douglas Donald's Lincoln altered my solution and convinced me of the greatness of the sixteenth president and, potentially, of his profession.
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...illed him. Lincoln's irrefutable morality and evident greatness provide the one counter-example necessary to debunk a theory. The theory was my own, my conception that politics and its practitioners are hopelessly corrupt by their very nature. My conclusions from a humble biography showed that my human stereotype was invalid. Lincoln simply proved that greatness could and can triumph in politics, and the example should be followed in life's every aspect. In a deeper sense, Lincoln was a counter-example to my cynical view of human nature. Perhaps there are others out there, conquering the irresolute, the amoral, and the wavering with resolution, action, and eloquence. Abraham Lincoln is the potential of every human being. The moral may never be so recognized, but they will certainly die, martyrs, alongside their great brethren who proved the human mission possible.
Williams portrays Lincoln in a very positive light, allowing the reader to realize the greatness of Lincoln, in his compassion, strategy, statesmanship and lack of ego. Williams has provided numerous instances wherein he provides ample support to his arguments and facts. In spite of the unnecessary detail and verbosity that Williams sometimes uses, there is no doubt that this book is a remarkable insight into Lincoln’s persona.
In The Real Lincoln, Thomas J. DiLorenzo argues thematically throughout nine chapters about the misconception of Abraham Lincoln. He opens each chapter with an argumentative main body, and then provides sources and examples to back up his argument. In chapter two, the belief that Lincoln was the man who fought solemnly against slavery is questioned. DiLorenzo says that, “… Lincoln stated over and over that he was opposed to racial equality” (11). Before his reign as governor of Illinois and presidency, Lincoln ...
Elvis was like no other entertainer in the world. The talented man’s success and music will live on as some of the best in history. Elvis inspired a generation and overall transformed the way we see and listen to music today. John Lennon’s son, John Lennon Jr., even states, “Before Elvis, there was nothing” (Klein 291). However, without the help of The Ed Sullivan Show, Elvis’ influence would not have been able to spread across the nation. Television still has that impact in today’s society. One learns of new artists and up and coming celebrities through the world of social and mass media. Today’s generation relies on the power of mass and social media to express their opinions, thoughts and creativity. Without it, this world would be stuck in a non-innovated and non-expressive culture.
In Richard Hofstadter’s book “American Political Tradition” he describes twelve biographical portraits of American statesmen, breaking them from longstanding reputations and putting them under scrutiny. Shockingly, among these statesmen is Abraham Lincoln. Hofstadter criticizes both his legacy and his political intentions. Lincoln, a president nationally regarded as a “self-made” man, nicknamed “Honest Abe,” and generally well liked, is not typically heavily criticized (Hofstadter 121). Hofstadter believed his reputation of being “self-made” was simply just a myth that he used to advance his political career and to seize opportunities of advancement (122). Although Hofstadter believes Lincoln’s reputation is not as notable as history says
Abraham Lincoln is best remembered as being America’s first war president. In the nineteenth century, the American presidency had seen nothing like the Civil War, and war was upon Lincoln before he or anyone else considered how the position of Commander-in-Chief fit into the Constitution. This resulted in an unorganized thought process and policy. Brian Dirck, author of the article “Lincoln as Commander in Chief,” writes:
Elvis’ audience consisted of all races, ages, and gender; his style of music combined gospel, country, blues, and Rock and Roll. His “ Rockability” brought together thousands of people to his shows and events. Elvis’ music related to his thousands of fans, his dancing entertained thousands, and his movies, inspired by
Abraham Lincoln is perhaps one of the most interesting characters to have ever graced the American political arena and presidency. He is most noteworthy, obviously, for his role in saving the United States from its own destruction and the eradication of the vile Southern tradition of slavery. However, upon deeper inspection, one finds there was much more to Lincoln than his political achievements. Throughout his years as a politician, there's a noticeable shift in terms of his character, and political persona. He seems to go from ambitious and boisterous to being more solemn and reserved. Also, it should be noted that some remark that Lincoln was, quite ironically, both America’s most democratic and autocratic President to have ever held office. However, it seems that though there is abundant evidence for his democratic values, there are little to suggest his autocratic intentions. As though some lines revealing such intent can be found, many are also directly rebutted by powerful democratic rhetoric. All of this can be found in Lincoln’s four main speeches; “A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand”, his Inaugural Addresses and the Gettysburg Address. Basically, in order to properly analyze Lincoln it may be best to look at Lincoln’s personal and political changes within the terms of his antebellum and Civil War “personalities”, as well as to examine his democratic and autocratic leanings; all through scrutinizing Lincoln’s major speeches.
It is easy to see that Abraham Lincoln truly exemplifies the ideal president in the America. Not only did he abolish the institution of slavery, lead the Union to a victorious outcome in the war, and instill unity throughout the country, he changed thousands of people’s lives and gave America the democratic characteristics that are still displayed today.
Overall, Lincoln is a comprehensive study of Abraham Lincoln’s life and is a factual goldmine. Donald’s omission of summarizing paragraphs and lack of conclusion make understanding the larger picture hard if the reader is unfamiliar with the story of Abraham Lincoln, so this book is best-suited to researchers and history buffs. Even though Donald’s thesis was ill-supported, the value of his book did not lie with the argument, but with the sheer amount of information contained within the pages, making the thesis the lesser focus of the work.
On January 8th, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi, the “King of Rock and Roll” was born. His name was Elvis Presley. He was the son of Vernon Presley who was a truck driver, and his mother was Gladys, a sewing machine operator. He had a twin brother named Jesse, but he was still born, leaving Elvis to grow up as an only child. His father was hardly around, and he was imprisoned for three years for forgery. Surrounding him as a child though, was the gospel music of the Pentecost church, where his love for music first took roots in his heart. In the fifth grade his teacher Oletta Grimes asked Elvis to participate in the talent contest on Children’s Day at the Mississippi – Alabama Fair and Dairy Show. At age ten, he donned his cowboy hat and slipped into a cowboy suit to sing in the talent show, but he was in need of a chair in order to reach the microphone. He sang his personal rendition of Red Foley’s “Old Shep”; it won him a second prize and a free ticket for all the numerous rides in the park. His following Birthday, he received his first guitar from the Tupelo Hardware Store and took lessons from his dad’s brother. In 1948 his family picked up their life and moved to Memphis, Tennessee. It was there that he was exposed to the rhythmic sound of the blues, as well as Jazz on Beale Street, where he grew up...
Abraham Lincoln was probably the most effective U.S. President. Everyone has an opinion of each president’s effectiveness; but, Lincoln’s achievements while in office show his effectiveness. He was able to make a tough decision in a time of crisis, and work to preserve the Union while taking into account every side’s perspective on the issue of slavery. He demonstrated his ability to make decisions for the betterment the nation, and even when under pressure made the decisions that needed to be done. Abraham Lincoln was an effective
...ator.’ Rather than to view Lincoln as a man who sought emancipation as a primary goal, which is misleading, we should remember him as a man who rose above the prevailing prejudices of his time to cast away a morally corrupt institution
Elvis Presley was a well-known man and loved by many people. Based on http://www.brainpickings.org/2013/04/11/elvis-presley-teens-consumer-culture/Elvis Just like Muddy Waters, Presley timing was perfect as well. He came into and era (1950s) where the devastations of the great depression and world wars were over. People were now starting to have some freedom and enjoy the thing they loved which was listening to music and living life to the fullest. The social change that the 50s brought reflected music significantly, and Elvis Presley arose.. Kids were now starting to rebel against their parents and they had a lot of extra money to spend on records because of prosperity. During the Wars, money was limited and kids and adults had to work extra hard and save for survival purposes, but once the war-ended money could be used for pleasure reasons rather than just for survival. In addition, in the 50s our country had it’s own war, and I’m not talking about the World Wars, but yet human inequality. The civil rights movement was one of the biggest social changes in history and was a time where a lot of great artist prevailed and made songs on the issue. Elvis Presley showed just how social changes could influence or reflect the history of rock “n” roll. Presley started a culture, his hairstyle, the way he dressed all became part of the youth around the country. As I said our country was fighting its own war with segregation, Elvis music help bring people together. His music not on appealed white crowds, but black crowds listened to him as well. He brought people together through music, and proved to the world that he could be successful. He was one of the artist that mastered crossover, bringing every color to liking his music. Based on Larson fourth edition pg 38, it says that his record sales boomed, and then rock “n”
There is no doubt that Abraham Lincoln is widely regarded as one of the great American presidents. The general public, when asked about Lincoln, will often tell the tale of a great man. Holding their head high, they will embark on the journey of a benevolent leader, praising the man who envisioned a new America: a great country of racial equality, and the pillar of human liberty. There are some, however, who have quite the opposite view.
In conclusion, Abraham Lincoln “Honest Abe”, was a legend. He was a great friend, a unique human, a little engine that knew no rest. Be determined and honest as you can, to get far in