Lincoln's Battle with God

A President's Struggle with Faith and What It Meant for America

By: Stephen Mansfield

Narrated by: Stephen Mansfield

Abraham Lincoln is the most beloved of all US presidents. He freed the slaves, gave the world some of its most beautiful phrases, and redefined the meaning of America. He did all of this with wisdom, compassion, and wit.

Yet, throughout his life, Lincoln fought with God. In his early years in Illinois, he rejected even the existence of God and became the village atheist. In time, this changed but still he wrestled with the truth of the Bible, preachers, doctrines, the will of God, the providence of God, and then, finally, God’s purposes in the Civil War. Still, on the day he was shot, Lincoln said he longed to go to Jerusalem to walk in the Savior’s steps.

What had happened? What was the journey that took Abraham Lincoln from outspoken atheist to a man who yearned to walk in the footsteps of Christ?

In this thrilling journey through a largely unknown part of American history, New York Times best-selling author Stephen Mansfield tells the richly textured story of Abraham Lincoln’s spiritual life and draws from it a meaning sure to inspire Americans today.

©2013 Stephen Mansfield (P)2020 Thomas Nelson

Powerful and Insightful

I feel as though, after listening to this book, that I have a fuller sense of not only Lincoln’s battle with God, but as Lincoln as a man.

A Fantastic Read on the Spiritual Life of Abraham Lincoln

When it comes to nonfiction works, I’m extremely particular and hard to please as a reader. But, all of that gets heightened when it comes to topics of American history because I am a historian. So, when I say this book is absolutely fantastic, please take it as the high praise it is.

Here are my criteria for a spectacular nonfiction, historical work:
1. Absolutely soaked with research and primary source documentation. If it’s scant in sources, it’s either complete crap and a waste of time or an interesting read but holds no real weight, again making it a waste of time. Remember this is a nonfiction work. I want solid proof of whatever I’m being told.
2. Does NOT read like a textbook - it should read like a more casual book than some densely academic biopic. If I start falling asleep, then I’m not continuing.
3. Someone should not need a degree in history to understand the text. Some authors, usually professors at top-tier universities, like to flaunt their careers in academia by making their work as highfalutin as possible. If I have to reread sentences, it’s a no-go.

Stephen Mansfield’s book ticked off all of my boxes and then some. I, actually, listened to the bulk of this book with my family on a road trip and I was not the only one who enjoyed it, we all did (all are adults, by the way, for reference). Like I said, all of his claims are drenched in evidence and his approach is balanced. But, it doesn’t read like painfully required reading for a class. This book is a breath of fresh air regarding the spiritual life of Lincoln and his honest portrayal of the beloved president brings him to life. The real Abraham Lincoln is a far more interesting man than the one placed on the pedestal by popular memory.

But, at the end of the day, don’t just take my word for it. Buy this book! It’s just as much worth the regular price as it is worth the credit. And happy reading!

Outstanding

I now have a much enhanced understanding of this complex man. I doubt many people understand his grasp of the mission God sent him on.

Very much enjoyed this book...

Enjoyed the subject, the story, and the narrator. Would recommend to those interested in the life of our 16th president.