Abraham Lincoln: Sources and Style of Leadership(Contributions in American History)

Written by both historians and political scientists, this new essay collection explores the sources, style, and quality of Lincoln's leadership. Challenging several popular schools of thought, the contributors show that both Lincoln's character and American democratic culture influenced his leadership style. They present him as a principled leader who sought realistic solutions in extenuating circumstances. Building on the democratic principles of the nation's framers, his vision of equality was consistent with the views of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. The portrait that emerges is of an active-flexible president whose culture permitted a magnanimous and prudential political style. Lincoln's leadership encouraged the development of responsible democratic rule. The volume places Lincoln's leadership in a historical context and within the political perspective of the influences on him and his impact on others. It also examines his leadership style in terms of the factors organization theorists consider essential for effectiveness. The initial chapters focus on the impact others had on Lincoln and how he transformed their ideas into his own political vision. The work then turns to Lincoln's political style during the Civil War and how he influenced others. The final chapter puts Lincoln's political style in the perspective of world leaders of his age. This volume will be of interest to both historians and political scientists.

Table of Contents:
Preface by Frank J. Williams, William D. Pederson, and Vincent J. Marsala Introduction: Sources and Style of Lincoln's Leadership by Frank J. Williams and William D. Pederson Sources of Leadership: Influences on Lincoln Under the Circumstances: Abraham Lincoln and Classical Prudence by Ethan Fishman Lincoln's View of the Founding Fathers by Ronald D. Rietveld Abraham Lincoln and the Declaration of Independence: The Meaning of Equality by Joseph R. Fornieri Lincoln's Poetry and Prose by James A. Stevenson Style and Quality of Leadership: Lincoln as Civil War Leader "I Shall Never Recall a Word" by David E. Long Lincoln and Grant: A Reappraisal of a Relationship by Brooks D. Simpson Abraham Lincoln and Southern White Unionism by William C. Harris Lincoln and Idaho: A Rocky Mountain Legacy by David H. Leroy Coda: A Cross-National View Lincoln and Leadership: An International Perspective by Frank J. Williams Select Bibliography by Brenda J. Cox Index

About the Author :
FRANK J. WILLIAMS is President of the Abraham Lincoln Association. A lawyer and Judge of Probate in Rhode Island, he is the author of numerous articles on Lincoln and is currently preparing a comprehensive bibliography on Lincoln. WILLIAM D. PEDERSON is a Professor of Political Science at Louisiana State University in Shreveport. He has written numerous articles and edited several books, including The Rating Game in American Politics (1987) and Great Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court (1993). VINCENT J. MARSALA is a historian and Dean at Louisiana State University in Shreveport.