Talking Lincoln

A (very) brief teaser with information about our new podcast: Bar Exam, with Dan and Seth.

Dan and Seth provide the epilogue to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Blessed with the benefit of 150 years of hindsight, they offer their opinion on how Lincoln ought to be considered in history. This episode is a double header, so grab some popcorn!

Dan and Seth discuss the end of our story--the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, an American tragedy.

Dan and Seth discuss the entirety (all six minutes) of Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, given just weeks before his assassination. Concisely summarizing the nation’s bloodiest period, it is perhaps Lincoln’s best speech—high praise for a tall man.

Dan and Seth host Phil, the Talking Lincoln librarian and military expert, in a rousing discussion of the war's end. Join us as we learn about General Sheridan, Sherman's March to the Sea, and the eventual fall of Richmond.

Dan and Seth review the 2012 film by Spielberg, Lincoln, starring Daniel Day-Lewis--thus ensuring cultural relevance to the younger generation. Also, the 13th Amendment (the one that bans slavery, that one) is discussed in depth.

Dan and Seth discuss the outcome of the Confederacy’s last great hope: the presidental election of 1864. How does one run against Abraham Lincoln? Play the race card.

Dan and Seth cover the “reconstruction” of the South. Only midway through the war, the Union holds large areas of southern territory, and federal authorities need to figure out how to govern these places. Oh, and what do we do about all of those newly freed slaves?

Dan and Seth host a special guest, Phil, an armchair military historian and public librarian. The three discuss the military campaigns of 1863-1864, a crucial period in which Lincoln depended on Generals Grant and Sherman to put him in a good position for the 1864 Presidential election.

Dan and Seth discuss America’s finest two-minute speech, the Gettysburg Address. In this season of commencement addresses that take so long yet say so little, let’s remember just how much Lincoln managed to pack into this quick 1863 address.

Dan and Seth follow up with Lincoln’s first concrete policy on the slavery issue—the Emancipation Proclamation. What did it do, exactly? Just how effective was it? How important was it to the war and to American history? Answers: quite a bit, pretty, and very.

Dan and Seth summarize the evolution of Lincoln’s views on slavery, and the political options he considered to attack the problem. Also, the United States conducts its first and only execution of a slave trader.

Dan and Seth conclude (for the time being) the story of McClellan, culminating in the stalemated battle of Antietam. McClellan is replaced by Burnside, the forefather of the modern sideburns. We finish with some thoughts on Lincoln’s management style as he related to his generals.

Dan and Seth discuss the Peninsular Campaign (which takes place on the Virginia Peninsula, by the way). McClellan finally attacks, which has a predictable result. There is also a general named Pope.

Dan and Seth tackle go west, young man, to cover what was going on in the border states. Discover why West Virginia exists, what happened in Kentucky, and where exactly is Missouri in all of this. Several individuals with fantastic names are mentioned, including Leonidas Polk, Don Carlos Buell, and Ulysses Simpson Grant.

Dan and Seth introduce George B. McClellan, a diminutive general who will end up being one of Lincoln’s great antagonists. Winfield Scott finally checks out. Oh, and the battle of Bull Run (or is it Manassas Junction?) finally goes down.

Dan and Seth begin their survey of the border states. As federal troops en route to the capital pass through Baltimore, they encounter a demonstration of Confederate sympathizers. A riot ensues, and the President is faced with the problem of whether habeas corpus should be suspended. What is habeas corpus, anyway, and what does it mean to suspend it? Also, Francis Scott Key’s grandson gets thrown in prison.

Dan and Seth talk about the worst first day on the job in history—that is, Lincoln’s first day as President. He weighs how to save Fort Sumter without alienating the upper South. Secretary of State Seward is less than helpful.

Dan and Seth take us through President (that’s right, he’s President now) Lincoln’s preparation to assume his post. He sets up his administration, and in his First Inaugural Address, puts forth his strategy for dealing with secession. He also grows his beard.

Dan and Seth consider the legacy of Justice Antonin Scalia. We discuss his legal theory (originalism), his jurisprudence, and his humor, to consider how he ought to be remembered as a justice. This is a special edition, and contains nothing of any substance about President Abraham Lincoln.