Abraham Lincoln's most famous case : the Almanac Trial

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Where to find it

Law Library — 2nd Floor Collection (2nd floor)

Call Number
KF223.A47 D45 2014
Status
Available

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Summary

Dispelling common myths and misunderstandings, this book provides a fascinating and historically accurate portrayal of the 1858 Almanac Trial that establishes both Lincoln's character and his considerable abilities as a trial lawyer.

Even after the mythical elements are removed, the true story of Abraham Lincoln and the Almanac Trial is a compelling tale of courtroom drama that involves themes of friendship and loyalty. Abraham Lincoln's Most Famous Case: The Almanac Trial sets the record straight: it examines how the dual myths of the dramatic cross-examination and the forged almanac came to be, describes how Lincoln actually won the case, and establishes how Lincoln's behavior at the trial was above reproach.

The book outlines three conflicting versions of how Lincoln won the Almanac Trial--with a dramatic cross-examination; with an impassioned final argument; or with a forged almanac--and then traces the transformation of these three stories over the decades as they were retold in the forms of campaign rhetoric, biography, history, and legal analysis. After the author exposes the inaccuracies of previous attempts to tell the story of the trial, he refers to primary sources to reconstruct the probable course of the trial and address questions regarding how Lincoln achieved his victory--and whether he freed a murderer.

Contents

  • Preface p. ix
  • 1 Murder at a Whiskey Camp p. 1
  • 2 Lincoln the Cross-Examiner p. 7
  • 3 Lincoln the Orator p. 13
  • 4 Lincoln the Trickster p. 18
  • 5 The Hagiography of the Trial p. 23
  • 6 The Historiography of the Trial p. 33
  • 7 Lincoln and the Clary's Grove Boys p. 42
  • 8 The Camp Meeting p. 52
  • 9 The Prosecution p. 62
  • 10 The Trial Begins p. 73
  • 11 The Famous Cross-Examination p. 86
  • 12 The Misplaced Moon p. 100
  • 13 Winning the Almanac Trial p. 109
  • 14 Was Armstrong Guilty? p. 119
  • Appendix A The Statements of the Major Participants p. 123
  • Appendix B Selected Documents from the Armstrong Court File p. 151
  • Appendix C The Oral History of the Armstrongs p. 165
  • Notes p. 173
  • Selected Bibliography p. 207
  • Index p. 217

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