Título: Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America
Autor: Steve Inskeep
Sinopse: An instant New York Times bestseller
A compelling and nuanced exploration of Abraham Lincoln’s political acumen, illuminating a great politician’s strategy in a country divided—and lessons for our own disorderly present
In 1855, with the United States at odds over slavery, the lawyerAbraham Lincoln wrote a note to his best friend, the son of a Kentucky slaveowner. Lincoln rebuked his friend for failing to oppose slavery. But he added: “If for this you and I must differ, differ we must,” and said they would be friends forever. Throughout his life and political career, Lincoln often agreed to disagree. Democracy demanded it, since even an adversary had a vote. The man who went on to become America’s sixteenth president has assumed many roles in our historical consciousness, but most notable is that he was, unapologetically, a politician. And as Steve Inskeep argues, it was because he was willing to engage in politics—meeting with critics, sometimes working with them and other times outwitting them—that he was able to lead a social revolution.
In Differ We Must, Inskeep illuminates Lincoln’s life through sixteen encounters, some well-known, some obscure, but all imbued with new significance here. Each interaction was with a person who differed from Lincoln, and in each someone wanted something from the other. While Lincoln didn’t always change his critics’ beliefs—many went to war against him—he did learn how to make his beliefs actionable. He told jokes, relied on sarcasm, and often made fun of himself—but behind the banter was a distinguished storyteller who carefully chose what to say and what to withhold. He knew his limitations and, as history came to prove, he knew how to prioritize. Many of his greatest acts came about through his engagement with people who disagreed with him—meaning that in these meetings, Lincoln became the Lincoln we know.
As the host of NPR’s Morning Edition for almost two decades, Inskeep has mastered the art of bridging divides and building constructive debate in interviews; in Differ We Must, he brings his skills to bear on a prior master, forming a fresh and compelling narrative of Lincoln’s life. With rich detail and enlightening commentary, Inskeep expands our understanding of a politician who held strong to his moral compass while navigating between corrosive political factions, one who began his career in the minority party and not only won the majority but succeeded in uniting a nation.
Contexto da obra
Como livro em inglês, esta obra costuma ganhar também uma camada própria de interesse editorial e linguístico. “Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America”, de Steve Inskeep, publicado pela editora Penguin Press, em 2023 e com 352 páginas, integra a categoria Livros em Inglês. Por isso, o interesse da obra tende a se ampliar quando o leitor considera também a relação com a língua em que ela circula.
Editora: Penguin Press
Páginas: 352
Ano: 2023-10-03
Edição: 2
Linguagem: en
ISBN: 0593297865
ISBN13: 9780593297865
Sobre a editora
Os livros da editora Penguin Press costumam explorar narrativas densas e multifacetadas, que transitam entre o íntimo e o coletivo, com personagens frequentemente enfrentando dilemas existenciais ou contextos sociais complexos. A experiência de leitura combina uma linguagem elaborada com temas que vão da memória e identidade até questões políticas e históricas, sempre com um tom que mistura reflexão profunda e acessibilidade. O catálogo sugere uma atenção especial a histórias de transformação pessoal e social, com obras que apresentam tanto relatos biográficos quanto investigações jornalísticas e ensaísticas. Há obras que privilegiam o ritmo narrativo e a construção de personagens, enquanto outras adotam um tom mais informativo e analítico, revelando a diversidade editorial da Penguin Press.
