Lincoln and Darwin

“Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln had more in common than their birth on the same day. Both abhorred slavery, and their positions on race shared significant similarities. This stimulating book offers new insights on these two nineteenth-century giants whose legacy still shapes our world today.”

–James M. McPherson, author of Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief

“Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln had more in common than their birth on the same day. Both abhorred slavery, and their positions on race shared significant similarities. This stimulating book offers new insights on these two nineteenth-century giants whose legacy still shapes our world today”
-James M. McPherson, author of Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief

Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln, according to Lander (TASIS American School, England), shared more than a common date of birth, Examining their points of view on the subjects of race–and, more specifically, slavery–as well as science and religion, Lander provides an interesting parallel exploration of the intellectual development of both men. However, as the author is careful to note, this work is not a dual biography but a carefully orchestrated reflection of their views, which led “society toward greater freedom of thought” and of “a greater acceptance of human equality.” Lander’s book, somewhat like Adam Gopnik’s Angels and Ages (2009), tries too hard at times to connect two men who never met yet have made a significant impact on modern thought, particularly with its reach to show how “scientific” Lincoln was. Despite sometimes-hearty leaps of faith, Lander reveals, quite nicely, that Lincoln’s and Darwin’s opinions regarding slavery, race, and religion were more similar than dissimilar. Summing Up: Recommended. General and undergraduate collections.
–D. M. Digrius, Stevens Institute of Technology–D. M. Digrius “Choice” (2/1/2011 12:00:00 AM)

“Lincoln and Darwin is a seamless parallel examination of two great men whose complementary ideas changed the trajectory of human thought and fundamentally altered the course of history. This is an impressive book: accessible and readable, and yet so thoughtful and penetrating as to compel the reader periodically to close the cover and think about what it says.”
–Jason Emerson, author of Lincoln the Inventor

“A superbly sympathetic discussion of the core beliefs of two of the greatest minds of the nineteenth century, linked in their fight against the twin monsters of scientific racism and religious bigotry. In lucid prose and copious historical detail, Lander uses Darwin to shed light on Lincoln and Lincoln to shed light on Darwin. As Lander demonstrates, their humanity and intelligence shine forth even more brightly when seen in juxtaposition. A compelling book.”
–Christoph Irmscher, author of The Poetics of Natural History

James Lander teaches history at TASIS American School in England. He is the author of Roman Stone Fortifications: Variation and Change from the First Century A.D. to the Fourth and Peter Labilliere: The Man Buried Upside Down on Box Hill.