Q&A with Harold Holzer

Harold Holzer talked about his book Lincoln President-Elect: Abraham Lincoln and the Great Secession Winter 1860-1861 (Simon and Schuster; October 21, 2008). In his book about the presidential transition period of Abraham Lincoln, Mr. Holzer traces Lincoln’s actions in the four months between his 1860 election and his inauguration: a period when seven states seceded from the Union. Harold Holzer, co-chairman of the U.S. Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and vice chairman of the Lincoln Forum, has authored, co-authored, or edited over 30 books on the Lincoln era.

This interview was conducted in the lobby of Washington’s historic Willard Hotel, where President-elect Lincoln and his family resided in the days leading up to the 1861 inauguration. Comparisons were made between President Lincoln and President-elect Barack Obama. Video clips were shown of Senator Barack Obama in Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois, on election night, November 4, 2008, and on February 10, 2007, announcing his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for president on the grounds of the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois, where Abraham Lincoln delivered his “house divided” speech in 1858. A video clip was also shown Harold Holzer being interviewed in the Lincoln Bedroom for the “White House Week” programs. close