The President and the Freedom Fighter: Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and Their Battle to Save America's Soul by Brian Kilmeade

The President and the Freedom Fighter: Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and Their Battle to Save America's Soul Reviews

• 
  Cammie

  There wasn't much new information in Brian Kilmeade's Civil War history which brings together Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. I do like Kilmeade's attention to Douglass's early life and his contributions to abolition including his relationship with Lincoln, which I found interesting.
• 
  Jeanette

  Taught me. Having read books about both primes in this copy before, I was still more informed here to intersect and consequence. Especially upon the John Brown events over time until his hanging occurred.
  
  So many Lincoln tomes! Just my opinion but I do believe he was far more a pragmatist and also practical application savvy then most made him out to be. Now and then. Douglass, even into his aged periods is immensely interesting. And also practical. I disagree with posts claiming bias or relationship slant. You do not have to meet with individuals dozens of times to secure lasting bonds and affinities. Especially upon this scale of visibility or celeb public status.
  
  
• 
  Tom

  A dual biography that, like David Margolick's
  The Promise and the Dream: The Untold Story of Martin Luther King, Jr. And Robert F. Kennedy, synthesises the lives of two great Americans during a time of national upheaval, The President and the Freedom Fighter follows Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass from their childhoods through to the end of the Civil War, unearthing the similarities and differences in their experiences and character that informed an essential, if not always positive relationship. Being a popular history book that serves more as an introduction to Civil War politics than anything approaching in-depth analysis of the Lincoln/Douglass story, the book at times feels vague and underdeveloped when compared to Margolick's aforementioned The Promise and the Dream (which was probably helped by the MLK/RFK relationship being more substantial than Lincoln/Douglass) or any of the seminal works of Civil War history. Still, The President and the Freedom Fighter effectively portrays the evolution in both Lincoln and Douglass' thinking and makes a strong argument that Douglass' role in the late 19th century political discourse deserves greater acclaim.
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  Hillary Erin

  I didnt read this book nor do I intend to. By this mans tweet alone really bothered me so Ima just leave this comment.
  
  Another book about history told by a white conservative man. Instead, read a book from a different perspective in which is not taught because of white supremacy. Read the 1619 Project. That will give you the truth about how this country was founded and how white supremacy is embedded in every segment, in every vein of this country and how slavery shaped this nation into what it is today.
• 
  Porter Broyles

  I don't know how another Kilmeade book ended up on my to be read list, but when it auto checked out from the library I listened to it.
  
  I'll be honest, I have never really enjoyed any of Kilmeade's books. He has a knack of writing books with captivating titles, but the books leave me disappointed.
  
  Kilmeade is a Fox Opinion talking head.
  
  With every book, I can't help but feel his political bias seeping into the book. This bias was not as bad with this book as it has been with others, but it is still there.
  
  With every book, Kilmeade reads the book himself. Listening to Kilmeade is exhausting. The man seems to be on a caffeine high.
  
  Still, this was one of his better books....
• 
  Robert Melnyk

  Another good history book by Brian Kilmeade. Kilmeade does a good job of discussing the growth of the relationship between Lincoln and Douglass, and their efforts to save the Union and end slavery. Aside from the study of their relationship, the book offers a good discussion of the history of the country during the times leading up to, durning, and shortly after the Civil War. If you are a fan of American History, Lincoln/Douglass, and/or the Civil War, this is a worthwhile read.
• 
  Michael Trapani

  Based on some of things he’s said over the years on Fox, I wasn’t sure how Kilmeade would approach this subject. I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised that he has given, in my opinion, a fair treatment of the book’s co-stars. He is very upfront about Lincoln’s hesitancy to embrace racial equality until the end of his life and although he does say that Lincoln’s views were consistent with those of most Whites at that time, it didn’t come off to me as an apology for those views. Douglass is lauded throughout and Kilmeade makes clear that Douglass is at least partially responsible for Lincoln’s transformation of thought.
  
  Professional historians or those well versed in the time period will likely get nothing new from the book. It’s short and understandably glosses over key events in very general, high school textbook-like terms. This is a great read for high school students or undergraduates seeking a basic understanding of the time period the book covers. But for those already familiar with the subject matter, there’s not a whole lot here to justify even the day or two it will take to get through it.
• 
  Kim

  I learned a lot from this book. I didn’t realize that Lincoln did not believe blacks were equal to whites nor did he have abolition of slavery in mind at the start of the of the Civil War. These ideas developed over time as the war progressed.
• 
  Josh Childree

  The careful telling of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass’s upbringing and eventual relationship is fascinating and a must read!
• 
  Stefanie Robinson

  This book covers the relationship between President Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Despite their stark differences, such as race, upbringing, and life experiences, they shared a lot of similarities. Both men were disliked by a vast number of people for their views on politics and the abolition of slavery. Both men were subjected to harsh words and plots against them by dissenters. I had no idea that these two people ever met and had a conversation, so this whole book was basically news to me. I really love when I learn new things, which is one reason that I read. I also knew very little about Frederick Douglass until I read this book, so that was certainly worth the trip to the library for a book that they didn't have in. Time well spent.
  
  I have read a few other books by Brian Kilmeade, and I have enjoyed them all. United States history is not my strong suit, and I always found it extremely boring (and whitewashed) in school. Because of that, I majored in a completely different path of history. I really love finding authors that can make one of my least favorite historical genres into something that is dramatic and educational. I hope that there are more books by this author to come. If you have not read any of his work, I would strongly suggest it. This book is a really good choice if you are interested in the Civil War era.
• 
  Michelle

  I didn't find a lot of new information here; some about Frederick Douglas was new to me. I enjoyed the photographs that added to the story.
• 
  Vera

  3 stars rounded up to 3.5. Listened to the audio version. The substance of the book was interesting and on that basis I would’ve rated it at 4 stars. The author read his book in a raised voice that felt like he was yelling at the listener. This detracted from this “reader’s” enjoyment of the book. I listen to a lot of audio books and having the author read for the audio version seems to be a trend. Some authors pull it off and their reading adds to the telling of the story. This is not one of those audio books.
• 
  Diane

  This was a very well researched book. I felt it was a fair depiction of Lincoln and his evolving views on slavery. It also described the frustration of the abolitionists’ efforts to change the accepted view of the place slavery held in the economic situation of the time, both in the North and South. I appreciated having read Baier’s book on Ulysses S Grant first. It dovetails with the descriptions of the Civil War battles in this book.
• 
  Greg

  While I enjoyed this books, for anyone who has read more serious biographies of Lincoln or Douglas, there is nothing really new here. Kilmeade doesn't really do much to integrate their lives, contributions, or activities - it's more like sequential entries (from one chapter to another) about each of them. the biographical material for both of them isn't especially in-depth or analytical, more like an overview of their lives. For someone who just wants a light introduction to these two historical figures, it would be fine, but there is are better treatments out there. For Lincoln, I recommend any of the following. The first is my personal favorite.
  
  1. Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln (Doris Kearns Goodwin)
  2. Lincoln's Greatest Journey: Sixteen Days that Changed a Presidency, March 24 - April 8, 1865 (Noah Andre Trudeau)
  3. Lincoln's Virtues: An Ethical Biography (William Lee Miller)
  
  For Douglas, I think by far the best choice is:
  
  1. Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom (David W. Blight)
  2. I also recommend any or all of several autobiographies written by Frederick Douglass himself.
• 
  Linda Galella

  Fascinating account of two men who fought to beat every circumstance against them and rise to make their America a better place.
  
  Brian Killmeade has an incredible gift for discovering real humanity in history. This is a story of two well known figures from the Civil War era, one black and one white. Both were born into poverty and self educated. Frederick Douglass was born into slavery and Lincoln was for all intents and purposes, an indentured servant to his abusive father until he turned 21. Both were highly intelligent, learned to read and got themselves out of the difficult situations of their youth. These stories are presented in the first part of the book. I was amazed at the similarities in their diversity.
  
  Both men married early, had children early and began a life of service to their communities early. One, a businessman, lawyer, congressman, President; the other, freedman, pastor, orator, newspaper owner, abolitionist. Ending slavery and inequalities to all peoples, (women & the poor included), was a driving force for both that eventually caused their paths to cross and a friendship to develop, difficult tho’ it was at first.
  
  The Emancipation Proclamation is the key, not only to freeing slaves but also to much that transpired between these two great men. They both played their POV’s out in e their versions of the media; Douglass in his newspaper and Lincoln in his SOTU and other speeches. These guys went at each other, making their points known, holding each other accountable until finally, the EP is a done deal. This is really good reading.
  
  So much else is happening around the country with the Civil War going on, it’s impossible for me to summarize and do the book justice. I was effected by how relevant those events are to the situations of today.
  
  Highly readable and inspiring, “The President and the Freedom Fighter” is a worthy read📚
• 
  Bruce

  A most interesting approach, blending the stories of two disparate and famed individuals from our history. I felt I was reading unique recounting of a critical part of American history. Imagine my dismay when reading the authors acknowledgments that so much credit was given to Fox Nation, other Fox entities best known as purveyors of alternate facts. Disappointed and left wondering how accurate the portrayal I had just finished really was.
• 
  Joe Archino

  “With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan-to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.” So said President Abraham Lincoln as he looked toward the end of the American Civil War in his immortal Second Inaugural Address on March 4, 1865. Later that evening, thousands of citizens flocked to the White House to shake hands with the man who had sacrificed his mind, body, and spirit in the long struggle to save the Union and to spark a “new birth of freedom” for the United States. As Lincoln pumped hands and accepted the thanks of his fellow countrymen, there was one face in particular that stood out to the president. “And here comes my friend, Frederick Douglass,” said Lincoln as the great abolitionist and faithful supporter of the Union made his approach. After a warm greeting, Lincoln remarked, “Douglass, I saw you in the crowd to-day, listening to my inaugural address. How did you like it?” With so many others waiting in line to greet the president, Douglass initially demurred: “Mr. Lincoln, I must not detain you with my poor opinion, when there are thousands wanting to shake hands with you.” To that Lincoln responded, “You must stop a little Douglass; there is no one in the country whose opinion I value more than yours.” Unable to resist after that, Douglass told the president, “Mr. Lincoln, that was a sacred effort.” “I am glad you liked it,” said a delighted Lincoln. This brief exchange proved to be the final time that Lincoln and Douglass would ever see each other. It is one of the most well-written moments in "The President and the Freedom Fighter" by Brian Kilmeade, which is essentially a dual biography in which Kilmeade attempts to interweave “Douglass’s and Lincoln’s stories into a single narrative.” Although this is not the best account of Lincoln, Douglass, and the Civil War era, there are still many bright spots in this concise volume. As for Lincoln in particular, from what I have read, one will gain a greater understating and appreciation for the man by turning to the works of Michael Burlingame, Ronald C. White, and Gordon Leidner.
• 
  Andrea Engle

  This spectacular dual biography focuses on the lives of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass … it describes in detail Lincoln’s evolving opinion of slavery and racism, and the causes and aims of the American Civil War … the sub-title says it all: “… Their Battle to Save America’s Soul.” … superb …
  
  Similar Works:
  
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• 
  Nathan Kwandras

  What happens when you try to summarize decades of politics that lead to the civil war, the entirety of the civil war, and the whole lives of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglas into 256 pages? You get an EXTREMELY vague history book. I think the author bit off more than he can chew, trying to compress this much information into this many pages. That being said, this book does have its saving graces. I think the book was very well written and engaging. It took me about a week to read this, and I genuinely looked forward to knocking out a few chapters a day. I also think this book is a terrific introduction to the civil war, despite its vagueness. Key word: introduction. I hope people read this book and become festinated in the topic, and then go on to read more in depth books on this subject. All in all, 4.0 stars.
• 
  John Becker

  I highly recommend reading this short history of the relationship between Lincoln and Frederick Douglass and the tumultuous times they lived through. I have very much enjoyed these popular history books by Brian Kilmeade, (my fourth book). Though there is only about 290 pages there is much to be learned by a non-academic reader. This May inspire a deeper reading of books such as an autobiography by Douglass or Team of Rivals by Goodwin.
  
  “By the end of the twentieth century, Lincoln came off his pedestal and Douglass rose from obscurity. Today these two good men once again occupy a shared space in the ongoing story of the American experiment”. (page 253)
• 
  JV Rajendran

  The book is an eye-opener in these conflicted times. Two men--Lincoln and Douglass--with very different beginnings and experiences come together to solve a nation's problem. From their humble beginnings to leading the country in its turbulent times tells us how much one can achieve because of persistence and hard work, despite the lack of formal education.
  The book details many questions a leader may face: Would you prefer morality over practicality, people over the country, constitution over amendments, present over future? Lincoln and Douglass may not have agreed on their answers but they understood each other and held confidence.
  I also loved how the book talked about the role of statues and the history behind them. As the author says, the past is not perfect but we learn from it to perfect our future.
  I highly recommend to anyone who is interested in equity, liberty, democracy, human rights, and leadership.
• 
  Gale

  An interesting weaving of the lives of these two men as they brought about emancipation. The journey from an enslaved person to an international speaker in the fight to end slavery is truly astonishing. The portrayal of Linoln's conflicted opinions and how he evolved toward emancipation is history everyone should read.
• 
  Therese Thompson

  
  An account of two of the most important men of their generation and in American history. Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln had a history together that I personally knew little about, so I took advantage of an opportunity to learn more.
  
  It’s incredible how both men came from so little (more notably Frederick Douglass as a slave) and self-educated, working very hard to create their own paths that ultimately each used to lead others and each other. Their connection impacted the entire nation for the better.
  
  I’m glad to know more about these remarkable men.
• 
  Russ

  Much is known about Lincoln, not a whole lot about Douglass. His birth name was Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey. Not sure where the Douglass came from. Two of his sons fought with the 54th Massachusetts. There were less than 100 pages left in the book before the 2 met. Douglass thought that Lincoln was a bit soft in his views on slavery. The book dragged a bit at times.
• 
  Justin Swanson

  👀 read with eyes