Lincoln on the Verge: Thirteen Days to Washington

Written by Ted Widmer

Narrated by Fred Sanders

WINNER OF THE LINCOLN FORUM BOOK PRIZE

“A Lincoln classic...superb.” ­—The Washington Post

“A book for our time.”—Doris Kearns Goodwin

Lincoln on the Verge tells the dramatic story of America’s greatest president discovering his own strength to save the Republic.

As a divided nation plunges into the deepest crisis in its history, Abraham Lincoln boards a train for Washington and his inauguration—an inauguration Southerners have vowed to prevent. Lincoln on the Verge charts these pivotal thirteen days of travel, as Lincoln discovers his power, speaks directly to the public, and sees his country up close. Drawing on new research, this riveting account reveals the president-elect as a work in progress, showing him on the verge of greatness, as he foils an assassination attempt, forges an unbreakable bond with the American people, and overcomes formidable obstacles in order to take his oath of office.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Apr 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781797104294

Ted Widmer

Ted Widmer directs the John Carter Brown Library at Brown University. He was a foreign policy speechwriter and senior adviser to President Clinton, and is Senior Research Fellow of the New America Foundation. He is a frequent contributor to The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The New York Observer.

Reviews for Lincoln on the Verge

[Desander Más · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An outstanding book. The content was illuminating and exciting. It provided an insight into the man and his greatness. I also thought the reading was excellent.

[minkyadoo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Must read, we are on the verge of something BIG

[gshuk_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Gave a flavor of the times as well as Lincoln. While I learned a lot from this book, it was very repetitive. It also make what recently happened with Trump seem trivial in comparison, but it's not.

[schmerguls · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

5694. Lincoln on the Verge Thirteen Days to Washington, by Ted Widmer (read 8 Jun 2020) This is a carefully researched book which tells all that you could want to know about Lincoln's 1861 trip from Springfield, Ill., to Washington. He was attended by large crowds as he went by train from Springfield to Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Buffalo, Albany, New York City, and Philadelphia. Warned of a plot to kill or kidnap him in Baltimore, he went secretly to Washington, skipping Baltimore. This book is well put together and I never lost interest in the momentous journey.