Wrestling With His Angel

Wrestling With His Angel recounts Abraham Lincoln's political evolution during the years 1849-1856. The book follows Lincoln's trajectory from his time as a one-term congressman through his emergence as an anti-slavery Republican leader in Illinois. Blumenthal examines Lincoln's response to pivotal events of the era, including the Compromise of 1850, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and the collapse of the Whig Party. The narrative places Lincoln's development within the broader context of a nation increasingly divided over slavery and territorial expansion. The book draws extensively from period documents, speeches, letters, and newspaper accounts to construct its political history. Lincoln's relationships with key figures of the time - including Stephen Douglas, William Seward, and members of the Illinois political establishment - receive detailed attention. This volume, part of Blumenthal's multi-book series on Lincoln, reveals how personal setbacks and national crises shaped Lincoln's core political convictions. The work illuminates a critical period when Lincoln's private struggles aligned with the mounting tensions that would eventually transform both him and the nation.

Readers highlight Blumenthal's detailed research and political insights into Lincoln's formative years from 1849-1856. Several reviews note the book's focus on the complex dynamics between the Whig and Democratic parties during this period. Readers appreciated: - Rich historical context around the Kansas-Nebraska Act - Analysis of Lincoln's evolving political views - Documentation of lesser-known figures who influenced Lincoln - Clear explanations of period's economic policies Common criticisms: - Dense writing style with long, complex sentences - Too much focus on other political figures instead of Lincoln - Occasional repetition of points - Assumes significant background knowledge Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (72 reviews) "The level of detail is impressive but sometimes overwhelming," noted one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads reader commented: "Important historical insights but requires concentrated reading due to complex prose style."

Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin Lincoln's path to power through the lens of his political competitors and eventual cabinet members provides context for the pre-Civil War era of American politics.

The Rise of American Democracy by Sean Wilentz The transformation of American political culture from the Revolution through the Civil War traces the evolution of democratic institutions and ideologies.

What Hath God Wrought by Daniel Walker Howe A comprehensive examination of American transformation between 1815 and 1848 connects political, religious, and technological changes that shaped Lincoln's era.

Free Soil, Free Labor, Free Men by Eric Foner The ideological origins of the Republican Party and its connection to antislavery politics illuminates the political landscape of 1850s America.

The Political Crisis of the 1850s by Michael F. Holt Analysis of the collapse of the second party system and the sectional crisis details the political realignment that preceded Lincoln's rise to power.

🔷 Author Sidney Blumenthal served as a senior adviser to President Bill Clinton and later to Hillary Clinton during her presidential campaigns. 🔷 "Wrestling With His Angel" is the second volume in a planned five-part series about Abraham Lincoln, covering the years 1849-1856. 🔷 The book's title refers to the Biblical story of Jacob wrestling with an angel, which Blumenthal uses as a metaphor for Lincoln's internal struggles during his political wilderness years. 🔷 The period covered in the book shows Lincoln's transformation from a one-term congressman to an emerging leader of the anti-slavery movement, while dealing with personal tragedies including the death of his son Edward. 🔷 Blumenthal spent five years researching this volume, drawing from previously untapped sources including nineteenth-century Illinois newspapers and courthouse records.