Lincoln on the Verge

Thirteen Days to Washington

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.

Critic reviews

"Using a thoughtful and measured cadence, narrator Fred Sanders invites the listener to climb aboard the Presidential Special—the train that in February 1861 carried President-Elect Abraham Lincoln and his family from Springfield, Illinois, across eight states and countless whistle-stops to Washington, DC, for his first inauguration. Drawing from the author's 10 years of painstaking research, the audiobook covers the good and the bad about Lincoln's psyche, closest friends, and most vicious foes, as well as a fast-growing country that could no longer ignore its most horrific failure—slavery. The author himself delivers the last chapter and notes that after making 101 extemporaneous speeches and avoiding an assassination attempt, by the time Lincoln arrived in the nation's capital, there was no question he was right where he belonged."

Great Lincoln info

I am pretty sure that you will find a lot of interesting information about Abraham Lincoln that you have not seen or heard before. I found it very interesting to see how significant people interacted with Lincoln in someway. The narration is excellent.

Superb book fit for the legacy of Abraham Lincoln

Great story of a great man, Abraham Lincoln will live on thru the ages for being one history's greatest men who ever lived, this compelling tale helps explain why the sentiment is so. A must listen for one who loves a great story, great flow, and a amazing story of courage and leadership.

Prepare To Be Transported To 160 Years Ago

I couldn't stop listening to this insightful portrait of the rarest of men and his impacts upon the nation both in his own time and upon the future. The rich description of the integrity, courage, sacrifices, and vision of Mr Lincoln, and the vivid pictures of a fractured nation of deeply divided people of 1860/1861 produce a better understanding of how the country ended up in self-slaughter.

This is also a cautionary tale for the current time, to be sure.

Why Lynn Cheney reas

I recall that she was seen reding this book and the author called she found it helpful to stay the course while she received death threats as did Lincoln, not then but now the ostensible icon of the GOP MY great grandfather and his dad both enlisted then Lincoln was fighting for the need to honor and follow the declaration of Ondpendence. We are a nation of DEI, diversity, equalityt and and inclusion.we see now white, Christian nationalism. I wish the presidential candidates could recite Jefferson’s words an Washington’s letter in the opening of the Tuoro Washington promised the synagogue more than mere religious tolerance, explaining that "It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights."

Inspiring and fascinating!

I loved the many stories Widmer told around the 13 days of Lincoln’s journey to inauguration. We all know the fact that he was inaugurated, but Widmer tells the story of the amazing and interconnected journey to make it happen. I have admired Lincoln as have so many around the world, but to read Widmer’s book is to feel like an insider to Lincoln’s life and mission. An inspiring and humbling story!