A fresh, compelling narrative of Lincoln’s life

In his life and political career, Abraham Lincoln often agreed to disagree. Democracy demanded it, since even an adversary had a vote. Because Lincoln was willing to engage in politics—sometimes working with his critics and other times outwitting them—he was able to lead a social revolution.

NPR’s Morning Edition host Steve Inskeep illuminates Lincoln’s life through 16 encounters, some well-known, some obscure, but all imbued with new significance. While Lincoln didn’t always change his critics’ beliefs—many went to war against him—he did learn how to make his beliefs actionable. Many of his greatest acts came about through his engagement with people who disagreed with him. In these meetings, Lincoln became the Lincoln we know.

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"Differ We Must is a read-we-must in a time when America is almost as divided as it was in Lincoln’s era.” —David S. Reynolds, author of Abe: Abraham Lincoln in His Times

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