Why Lincoln Matters: Today More Than Ever - Hardcover

Abraham Lincoln, long the most resonant voice of American political values, was a founding member of the Republican Party. In today's charged political climate, he would be hard-pressed to recognize the issues in the contemporary GOP, argues Mario Cuomo, former governor of New York and a gifted political philosopher.

Challenged by slavery, secession, and war, Lincoln was able to forcefully articulate the values and ideals that have sustained our country since its inception. His speeches, writings, and actions melded the Constitution, the Bible, and his own experience into an American scripture that inspires faith in the future

Mario Cuomo shows how the big issues - equality, the role of government, war and peace, the responsibilities of the fortunate few - resonate in today's political climate as he brings to life the contemporary relevance of Lincoln's message for today's hot-button issues. Today's political discourse often lacks depth and wisdom, but Mario Cuomo's analysis of Abraham Lincoln will inspire readers to believe that government can still be a force for greater good in American society.

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR Why Lincoln Matters:

"In this brilliant presentation Mario Cuomo draws a devastating comparison between Lincoln's vision of the American democracy and that of the George W. Bush administration. I was enthralled by the book."
-- Walter Cronkite

"When our President sounds like a 19th century fundamentalist preacher, the words of our greatest 19th century President, Abraham Lincoln, are ever more relevant to our crises in the 21st century. Mario Cuomo tells us how this great wartime leader might have addressed the war on terrorism. A brilliant and nuanced tour de force."
-- Alan Dershowitz, author of The Case for Israel

"Mario Cuomo is at home in the world of ideas as well as in the world of politics, and he is a long-time Lincoln scholar. WHY LINCOLN MATTERS is a thoughtful and challenging meditation on what Lincoln's wisdom tells us we Americans should be doing today and tomorrow."
-- Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.

"Abraham Lincoln's words and acts remain relevant and essential as a panacea for today's challenges at home and abroad. This is a stand up book written by one of America's great leaders."
-- Frank Williams, Chief Justice, Rhode Island Supreme Court and chair of the Lincoln Forum

|ADVANCE PRAISE FOR Why Lincoln Matters:

"In this brilliant presentation Mario Cuomo draws a devastating comparison between Lincoln's vision of the American democracy and that of the George W. Bush administration. I was enthralled by the book."
-- Walter Cronkite

"When our President sounds like a 19th century fundamentalist preacher, the words of our greatest 19th century President, Abraham Lincoln, are ever more relevant to our crises in the 21st century. Mario Cuomo tells us how this great wartime leader might have addressed the war on terrorism. A brilliant and nuanced tour de force."
-- Alan Dershowitz, author of The Case for Israel

"Mario Cuomo is at home in the world of ideas as well as in the world of politics, and he is a long-time Lincoln scholar. WHY LINCOLN MATTERS is a thoughtful and challenging meditation on what Lincoln's wisdom tells us we Americans should be doing today and tomorrow."
-- Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.

"Abraham Lincoln's words and acts remain relevant and essential as a panacea for today's challenges at home and abroad. This is a stand up book written by one of America's great leaders."
-- Frank Williams, Chief Justice, Rhode Island Supreme Court and chair of the Lincoln Forum