Ronald C. White, Jr.

Reviews of Lincoln's Greatest Speech

"Ronald C. White's elegantly written study of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address offers a close examination of both the form and the substance of Lincoln's address. In tracing the development of Lincoln's literary artistry, White shows how deeply his ideas were rooted in his profound religious beliefs.  A book both learned and accessible, Lincoln's Greatest Speech is going to have a wide impact on Lincoln scholarship."
―David Herbert Donald, author of Lincoln

"Professor White's book on the preparation, delivery, and influences of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address is a significant addition to Civil War literature.  I find it hard to say which is more commendable, the research or the explication; both are admirable, and we are all greatly benefited by the result."
―Shelby Foote, author of The Civil War

"Those who think it is not possible to say anything fresh about the life and convictions of Abraham Lincoln will be surprised by this book.  Careful attention to the complex layers of Lincoln's own actions and beliefs leaves Ronald White with a rich harvest of political, religious, and social insight concerning what truly was Lincoln's Greatest Speech."
―Mark A. Noll, author of America's God: From Jonathan Edwards to Abraham Lincoln

"White is very good on Lincoln's rhetorical techniques. . .  He shows us how such rhetorical devices reveal character and create meaning. . . He also has a good eye for vivid quotations."
―Max Byrd, The New York Times Book Review

"This is the very best book on the most famous of all inaugural addresses."
―Frank J. Williams, chairman of The Lincoln Forum

"A masterful mix of history, biography, and rhetoric . . . wise yet humble in its judgments."
―David Reinhard, The Oregonian

Audio and Video Clips

There are a number of audio and video clips of my speaking engagements available on the Internet.  However, many of them require you to have RealPlayer installed on your computer.  If you don't already have RealPlayer click (here) for a free download (be sure to select the "Basic Player" in the right hand column if you want the free version).  Here are several links to interviews and speeches:

NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, October 22, 2002.  Interview by Ray Suarez regarding my book, Lincoln's Greatest Speech: The Second Inaugural (includes streaming video in RealPlayer and Windows Media Player formats). 

Interview about The Eloquent President on Chicago Public Radio (91.5 WBEZ) (scroll down to the program for February 21, 2005 for the interview). 

Interview about The Eloquent President on AirTalk with Larry Mantle (89.3 KPCC) February 21, 2005. 

University of Illinois at Springfield, Center for State Policy and Leadership, Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series, October 26, 2006.  Dr. Mark A. Noll provides the first address on "Lincoln, Providence, and the Bible" and my address entitled, "Abraham Lincoln's Sermon on the Mount" begins at the 42:30 mark of the video. 

 

About Ronald C. White, Jr.

Ronald C. White, Jr. earned his Ph.D. at Princeton University and has taught at UCLA, Princeton Theological Seminary, Whitworth College, and Colorado College.

He is Professor Emeritus of American Intellectual and Religious History at San Francisco Theological Seminary, Visiting Professor of History at UCLA, and a Fellow at the Huntington Library in Pasadena California.

White is the author and editor of seven books, including Lincoln's Greatest Speech, which was a Washington Post bestseller, a San Francisco Chronicle bestseller, and a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, and The Eloquent President which was a Los Angeles Times bestseller and a selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club and the History Book Club. 

White has lectured on Abraham Lincoln at the White House, the Library of Congress, and at Gettysburg and was interviewed on the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.  He lives with his wife, Cynthia, in La Cañada, California.

Brief bio in MS Word format. 

Full bio in MS Word format. 

Press Photos

Author Ronald C. White Jr.
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Author Ronald C. White Jr.
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The Eloquent President
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