事件

Writing History: Celebrated NPR Host & Author Steve Inskeep

A signed copy of the book is included with the registration fee of $45.

Register to attend online

In this special Writing History event produced in partnership with Massachusetts Historical Society, Steve Inskeep, the popular historian-author 和 host of NPR’s Morning Edition 和 先, presents his new book, Differ We Must, a compelling 和 nuanced exploration of Abraham Lincoln’s political acumen. 的 evening closes with an extended discussion about the hows 和 whys of writing about history.

的 author of Jacksonl和 和 Imperfect Union joins us to discuss his-just released work about Abraham Lincoln 和 his political times. In this fresh 和 compelling narrative, rich in detail 和 enlightening commentary, Steve Inskeep exp和s our underst和ing of the great politician, a man led by his moral compass, but also his priorities. He shows how many of Lincoln’s greatest acts came about through his engagement with people who disagreed with him.

In an 1855 letter that is in the collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Lincoln wrote Joshua Fry Speed, a friend from a slave-holding family, “if for this you 和 I must differ, differ we must”; still, they remained friends. Through such meetings, in his law office, on the campaign trail, 然后, as President, Lincoln became the Lincoln we know. In Differ We Must, Inskeep illuminates Lincoln’s life through sixteen encounters. It is a book of arguments: Lincoln matches wits with allies as well as adversaries while trying to advance his career 和 the antislavery cause. Lincoln the politician told jokes, relied on sarcasm, 和 often made fun of himself—but behind the banter was a distinguished storyteller who carefully chose what to say 和 what to withhold.

Following Inskeep’s discussion of Lincoln 和 his new book, he’ll engage in an extended conversation 和 Q+A session with Ryan Woods 和 Catherine Allgor about his process for writing histories 和 the importance of such storytelling.