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Our Ancient Faith: Lincoln, Democracy, and the American Experiment Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Allen C. Guelzo (Author), Justin Price (Narrator), Random House Audio (Publisher)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 125 ratings
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An intimate study of Abraham Lincoln’s powerful vision of democracy, which guided him through the Civil War and is still relevant today—by a best-selling historian and three-time winner of the Lincoln Prize

*Winner of the 2024 Abraham Lincoln Institute Book Prize*

*Finalist for the 2025 Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize*

"It is altogether fitting and proper that, with this meditation on democracy and its most subtle defender, Allen Guelzo again demonstrates that he is today’s most profound interpreter of this nation’s history and significance."—George F. Will

Abraham Lincoln grappled with the greatest crisis of democracy that has ever confronted the United States. While many books have been written about his temperament, judgment, and steady hand in guiding the country through the Civil War, we know less about Lincoln’s penetrating ideas and beliefs about democracy, which were every bit as important as his character in sustaining him through the crisis.

Allen C. Guelzo, one of America’s foremost experts on Lincoln, captures the president’s firmly held belief that democracy was the greatest political achievement in human history. He shows how Lincoln’s deep commitment to the balance between majority and minority rule enabled him to stand firm against secession while also committing the Union to reconciliation rather than recrimination in the aftermath of war. In bringing his subject to life as a rigorous and visionary thinker, Guelzo assesses Lincoln’s actions on civil liberties and his views on race, and explains why his vision for the role of government would have made him a pivotal president even if there had been no Civil War. Our Ancient Faith gives us a deeper understanding of this endlessly fascinating man and shows how his ideas are still sharp and relevant more than 150 years later.

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  1. Listening Length
    5 hours and 39 minutes
  2. Author
    Allen C. Guelzo
  3. Narrator
    Justin Price
  4. Audible release date
    February 6, 2024
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Random House Audio
  7. ASIN
    B0C6YLMRBF
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 5 hours and 39 minutes
Author Allen C. Guelzo
Narrator Justin Price
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date February 06, 2024
Publisher Random House Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0C6YLMRBF
Best Sellers Rank #49,681 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#92 in American Civil War
#149 in American Civil War Biographies (Books)
#183 in Biographies of Presidents & Heads of State (Audible Books & Originals)

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4.6 out of 5 stars
125 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Jeffrey N. Mccollum
    5.0 out of 5 stars History and Hope
    Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2024
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    At a time when principled leadership is rare and when "democracy" is thrown around in passioned--as opposed to reasoned--voices, Guelzo offers both history and hope. He uses Abraham Lincoln as a leader with truly democratic impulses (and undemocratic means in war time) to offer a sense of hope for how our system can withstand imminent threats that have evolved.

    He draws principles, prevalent in Lincoln's thoughts and actions, and projects "Lincolnian" possibilities for 2024: we will recover consent freeing the people from "the amassing of bureaucratic and hierarchical structure ... which is antithetical to democracy, we will recover and embrace equality "levelling the dangerous cliffs of class alienation, we will return to a country of citizens in which "citizen is the highest tile we can bestow." As Lincoln said, "Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country and should dwell together in the bonds of fraternal feeling."

    This book is first and foremost a civics lesson taught beautifully especially in the introductory chapter. I have granddaughters who will graduate from high school this year and next. Our Ancient Faith may just be their graduation present.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • J. M. New
    5.0 out of 5 stars "And there would be neither slaves, nor masters."
    Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Fifteen years ago along with some friends, I visited Lincoln's birthplace in KY and then Springfield. Later on that trip, we visited Shiloh at dusk, and I felt the full magnitude of what had transpired so long ago.

    Dr. Guelzo's book reveals what this gift of American democracy is, what it took in the 19th century to protect it, and what it requires in a changed society now to ensure it survives. "And there would be neither slaves, nor masters," found in the conclusion of the book, exemplifies these requirements to sustain our freedom, that slavery ruined the happiness and potential for both the slave and the slave-owner and the entire society that supported the institution. Furthermore, Dr. Guelzo explains the contradictions and complexities of Lincoln himself, showing his humanity, which renders him the hero of the Republic he is to me. He cannot, nor should he be, reduced to some simplistic judgement often offered in our modern age.

    Our Ancient Faith explicates the nuances of Abraham Lincoln, his beliefs, and the tremendous burden he bore so that this nation, and we as a people, could endure.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Christian Schlect
    4.0 out of 5 stars America
    Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2024
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    Allen C. Guelzo has written many of the best books about Abraham Lincoln and American history that have appeared over the past few decades. He writes clearly, with both deep knowledge and sound judgement.

    I do not put this book at the very top of Professor Guelzo's efforts, since it seemed a little uneven to me as it is stitched together from previous articles and presentations. However, it is thought-provoking and readers will benefit from its pages on race, democracy in America, law, and Lincoln.

    While Professor Guelzo--thankfully--does not pull into his book any direct discussions of the 2024 political situation, his calm words on democracy should be read by all the fire-breathing partisans of today.
    25 people found this helpful
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  • Bill Gallagher
    5.0 out of 5 stars Keep the Faith; Renew the Faith
    Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2024
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    Guelzo is a well known and respected historian in general and with regard to Lincoln as a subject he is especially so. This book is timely. Lincoln's view of the American design is no surprise. He reiterated his views many, many times in speeches and in his day to day dealings with others. He remained steadfast to his principles and was a master of timing which paid huge dividends for both his party and his nation. The resounding commentary in this book is that we need to remain true to such democratic ideas regardless of what others think. Yet, must remember that there are the realities of politics and what can be possible might not happen instantaneously as we may wish. We need this type of leadership today...not to say that it may not exist...but that the courage is required to express and deliver what may be what is best for a people and a world in such a situation as now. This book should be a regular fixture on shelves and a reliable, referenced source for ages to come. I highly recommend.
    14 people found this helpful
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  • Paper Guy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional
    Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2024
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    Insightful and balanced ... exceptional read, one for everyone.
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  • David J Kent
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thought-provoking in a time when deep thought is much needed
    Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2024
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    With his trademark erudition, Lincoln scholar Allen Guelzo turns his sights on Democracy as he envisions it through Lincoln's eyes. The book will challenge you to think. And that is a good thing.

    David J. Kent
    Author, Lincoln: The Fire of Genius
    President, Lincoln Group of DC
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Larry Binkovitz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Clear, concise and timely.
    Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2024
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    Guelzo distills a lifetime of Lincoln scholarship into a succinct monograph. A gem on every page.
    One person found this helpful
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