The words Abraham Lincoln spoke at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery at Gettysburg comprise perhaps the most famous speech in history. Quoted by popes, presidents, prime ministers, and revolutionaries around the world, the language—even at its most Biblical—was stunningly succinct. Although short, few addresses have had such incredible longevity, generation after generation. The words "Of the people, by the people, for the people" echo in the American conscience.

In Sam Fink's hands, Lincoln's 270 words become unbearably poignant, resonating as deeply today, when people all over the world still struggle to be free, as they did 144 years ago. Of course, in 1863 the setting was profound, the nation deeply divided. Although the importation of slaves had been banned in 1774, the nation was embroiled in a full scale debate over slavery—the South standing against the North—when Lincoln was elected to the Presidency in 1860. By April, 1861, the Civil War had begun. In the first week of July, some 46,000 soldiers died in battle at Gettysburg.

November 19, 1863, Lincoln delivered a two minute speech dedicating a national cemetery in Gettysburg, a speech which became a national treasure, known as the Gettysburg Address.

The war continued to rage through Lincoln's re-election and assassination until May, 1865. 620,000 American soldiers had died when, on December 6, the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was finally ratified, abolishing slavery.

Gabor Boritt, one of the world's most important Lincoln scholars and recent author of The Gettysburg Gospel, provides a thoughtful introduction looking at the profound impact of Lincoln's words on the world at large.

This inscribed and illustrated volume also contains a chronology of events as well as quotes by Abraham Lincoln, Carl Sandberg, Caroline Mason, Benjamin Harrison, Elihu Washburne, Edward Markham, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Sarah Bush Johnston Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, Walt Whitman, Joel Brown, Karl F. Vollmer, Walter Malone, H. Villard, Joseph Auslander, and Edwin Stanton.

From the book