Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America

In 1855, as the United States divided over slavery, lawyer Abraham Lincoln wrote to his best friend, the son of a Kentucky slaveowner, rebuking him for not opposing slavery while affirming their friendship. Throughout his life and political career, Lincoln often agreed to disagree, recognizing that democracy required respecting even adversaries who held votes. Lincoln became America's sixteenth president by engaging in politics—meeting with critics, sometimes collaborating with them and sometimes outmaneuvering them—enabling him to lead social change. Steve Inskeep examines Lincoln's life through sixteen encounters, some well-known and some obscure, each revealing new significance. Drawing on his experience as host of NPR's Morning Edition, Inskeep explores how Lincoln held firm to his moral compass while navigating between opposing political factions. Beginning his career in the minority party, Lincoln not only won the majority but succeeded in uniting a divided nation.