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Stephen A. Douglas

by Robert W. Johannsen

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532490,108 (3.57)3
      Winner of the Francis Parkman Prize of the Society of American Historians       For the quarter-century before 1860 Stephen A. Douglas was a dominant         figure on the American political scene, far outshadowing Abraham Lincoln.         This first paperback printing of Robert Johannsen's authoritative biography         features a new preface.       "At once a work of enormous scholarship and of deep insight. Here,         for the first time, is the full story of a great career, told with such         skill that we can now understand why Abraham Lincoln found the 'Little         Giant' the most formidable political rival he ever faced." -- David         H. Donald, author of Lincoln and two-time winner of the Pulitzer         Prize       "Well-organized and marvelously detailed. . . . The book demonstrates         the virtues of large-scale, straightforward narrative biography at its         best. Its completeness and objectivity will make it the standard authority         for many years to come." -- Richard N. Current, The New York Times         Book Review       "Superb. . . . Will doubtless stand as the definitive biography         of Stephen A. Douglas for this generation." -- Hans L. Trefousse,         The Journal of American History       "An impressive work--impressive in scope, in research, and in maturity         of understanding. . . . Johannsen has constructed a biography that is         rich in detail and full of conviction." -- James Z. Rabun, The         Journal of Southern History       "Should take its place in the tradition of magisterial biographies         . . . in which so much of the best writing on American history is to be         found." -- Harry V. Jaffa, National Review       "The research is amazingly exhaustive and the writing is unusually         readable. . . . Outstanding biography of a quality not often matched."         -- LeRoy H. Fischer, Manuscripta       Supported by the Dickerson Fund of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign  … (more)
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Robert Johannsen's biography of Stephen Douglas offers a detailed account of the life and career of the "Little Giant." Born in Vermont, Douglas migrated westward, eventually settling in Illinois where he rapidly transition from law to politics. Johannsen charts a rise that can only be described as meteoric, as he rose from his initial appointment as state's attorney for Morgan County to the United States Senate in only twelve years. His ascent in the Senate proved just as rapid, as he emerged as a champion for the west and an effective compromiser. His tenure in the Senate coincided with the emerging controversy over slavery in the western territories. Johannsen sees Douglas's embrace of popular sovereignty as a sincere one which he held to even as it ultimately cost him the support of the South in the critical election of 1860 and denied his the presidential prize he seemed so close to attaining.

Given his importance in antebellum politics and his role in the events that led to the war, Douglas has never wanted for biographers. Yet Johannsen ranked above them all, thanks to his extensive work on Douglas's papers. His command of the material is impressive, and his use of it effective, Though weaker for a relative lack of analysis, this is by far the best biography of Douglas, one that should be read by anybody to understand this fascinating political figure and his role in the politics of a controversial era. ( )
  MacDad | Mar 27, 2020 |
1870 Stephen A. Douglas, by Robert W. Johannsen (read 18 Oct 1984) This is an excellent 1973 biography. It is well-researched and well-done. I cannot be in accord with Douglas' position, since I believe the abolitionists were right in regard to their total opposition to slavery, but Douglas was a major figure and this book told the story of his public life very well. It is one of the best books of its kind I have read. ( )
  Schmerguls | Sep 9, 2008 |
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      Winner of the Francis Parkman Prize of the Society of American Historians       For the quarter-century before 1860 Stephen A. Douglas was a dominant         figure on the American political scene, far outshadowing Abraham Lincoln.         This first paperback printing of Robert Johannsen's authoritative biography         features a new preface.       "At once a work of enormous scholarship and of deep insight. Here,         for the first time, is the full story of a great career, told with such         skill that we can now understand why Abraham Lincoln found the 'Little         Giant' the most formidable political rival he ever faced." -- David         H. Donald, author of Lincoln and two-time winner of the Pulitzer         Prize       "Well-organized and marvelously detailed. . . . The book demonstrates         the virtues of large-scale, straightforward narrative biography at its         best. Its completeness and objectivity will make it the standard authority         for many years to come." -- Richard N. Current, The New York Times         Book Review       "Superb. . . . Will doubtless stand as the definitive biography         of Stephen A. Douglas for this generation." -- Hans L. Trefousse,         The Journal of American History       "An impressive work--impressive in scope, in research, and in maturity         of understanding. . . . Johannsen has constructed a biography that is         rich in detail and full of conviction." -- James Z. Rabun, The         Journal of Southern History       "Should take its place in the tradition of magisterial biographies         . . . in which so much of the best writing on American history is to be         found." -- Harry V. Jaffa, National Review       "The research is amazingly exhaustive and the writing is unusually         readable. . . . Outstanding biography of a quality not often matched."         -- LeRoy H. Fischer, Manuscripta       Supported by the Dickerson Fund of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign  

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