Lincoln and Churchill: Statesmen at War

Written by Lewis E. Lehrman

Narrated by David Colacci

Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill, as commanders in chief, led their nations to victory-Lincoln in the Civil War, Churchill in World War II. They became revered leaders-statesmen for all time. Yet these two world-famous war leaders have never been seriously compared at book length. Acclaimed historian Lewis Lehrman, in his pathbreaking comparison of both statesmen, finds that Lincoln and Churchill-with very different upbringings and contrasting personalities-led their war efforts, to some extent, in similar ways. As supreme war lords, they were guided not only by principles of honor, duty, freedom, but also by the practical wisdom to know when, where, and how to apply these principles. They made mistakes which Lehrman considers carefully. But the author emphasizes that, despite setbacks, they never gave up.

Even their writings and speeches were swords in battle. Gifted literary stylists, both men relied on the written and spoken word to steel their citizens throughout desperate and prolonged wars.

Both statesmen unexpectedly left office near the end of their wars-Lincoln by the bullet, Churchill by the ballot.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Feb 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781541481428

Reviews for Lincoln and Churchill

[nbmars · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Historian Lewis Lehrman compares the characteristics of two wartime leaders, Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill, both of whom faced comparable challenges leading their countries through horrible conflagrations, and who both excelled at using language as a strategic weapon to mobilize and inspire their countries.The book is organized first by subject area, such as the unlikely emergence of each as leaders of their countries; “Virtues of Great War Leaders”; “Managing Ministers and Legislators”; and “Finding and Managing Generals.” This is followed by chronological details for each year of the war: 1862/1942, 1863/1943, 1864/1944, and 1865/1945. Throughout, several themes predominate:Both mobilized the English language as a weapon of persuasion:“Lincoln and Churchill believed public sentiment in a democracy to be essential to victory. They would by word and action mobilize the people and resources of their countries to fight a relentless struggle for unconditional surrender of the enemy. Defeat was unthinkable.”Both had a keen sense of the importance of the sound of language:“They had mastered the natural rhythms of their native tongue. They would practice its poetic cadences aloud. They would experiment with word order, refining it to their purpose. Their reading dwelt on masterpieces of English prose and poetry upon which they would draw for their writing and speeches.”Importantly, neither subscribed to moral relativism, and both opposed appeasement, in spite of intense political pressure in both eras to end the war. Lincoln would not agree to the retention or resumption of slavery, and Churchill would not allow totalitarianism to consume the West.Much of the book consists of observations from other historians, and, best of all, a recapitulation of some of the greatest speeches of Lincoln and Churchill. Because Lehrman’s emphasis is on the flights of prose of these two men, their shortcomings are not dwelt upon. No matter; the book is worth having as a compendium of some of the most stirring and uplifting expressions of the English language you will ever read outside of Shakespeare.Note: Lehrman provides extensive endnotes, selected bibliographies of the best Lincoln and Churchill scholarship, a timeline of Lincoln’s and Churchill’s lives, and more than three dozen photographs and cartoons. The author also has a website for the book on which you will find essays, photos, and links to other resources about the two leaders. Evaluation: The research in this book may not be original, but it is a competent distillation of the findings of others, and a fine disquisition on the qualities of leadership that brought us through some of the most significant events of modern history. The moral fiber of these two men, their unwillingness to compromise with evil, and the power and beauty of their words can almost make you weep for what we no longer have.