A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents. Volume 6, part 1: Abraham Lincoln

This volume gathers the official messages, speeches, and personal papers of Abraham Lincoln during his tumultuous first term, from his inauguration in 1861 through the tragic night of his assassination in 1865. Listeners will hear the president’s urgent calls to rally a nation at war, his reflections on liberty and the Union, and the solemn words he offered after battlefield victories and defeats. The collection also includes intimate correspondence that reveals Lincoln’s humility, wit, and the weight of the decisions he bore.

Beyond the wartime proclamations, the anthology presents the early chapters of Lincoln’s life—his frontier upbringing, his self‑directed education, and the formative experiences that shaped his character. The editor’s introductory notes provide context, showing how these documents illuminate the moral and political struggles of a leader tasked with preserving a divided country. Engaging and meticulously curated, the recordings invite listeners to connect with the voice of a president whose words still echo in America’s conscience.