Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation Guelzo

[matthew mckeon]

I just finished Allen C. Guelzo's Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, a study of the document and the circumstances surrounding it being issued, focusing particularly on Lincoln's motives and reasoning.

1. Generally lauds Lincoln for making a bold, right move.

2. Clear explanation of why the EP was worded as it was.

3. Guelzo's point is that the EP was an unprecedented act by an American president, one full of risks for Lincoln, but once he had decided on the course, he was quite determined not to compromise.

4. Good explanation of the constitutional issues involved in such a reaching use of the president's war powers.

5. Good detailing of the other attempts to deal with emancipation: colonialization, compensation and gradualism.

Guelzo's book is generally about men discussing politics, and he tries to interject a little drama by having the varioius politicians, soldiers, newspaper editiors and lawyers "bellow" "shriek" "grate" "screech" and remark "snidely" "angerily" and so forth.

Worth reading for anyone interesting in the circumstances and meaning of the Emancipation Proclamation.