Lincoln's transition examined

"LINCOLN PRESIDENT-ELECT: ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND THE GREAT SECESSION WINTER 1860-61," by Harold Holzer, Simon & Schuster, 623 pages, $30

Between Barack Obama's victory this week and his inaugural, he will have 77 days to put together a transition and Cabinet.

He will have no formal power while George W. Bush is still president, but the world will look to Obama for signals about the future. At least most of America and the world will be wishing him well and will be working to help him.

Not so when Abraham Lincoln was elected. He won with just 39 percent of the vote and virtually no support in the South. His election triggered secession of one Southern state after another. For an agonizing four months until inauguration, he had no official power while incumbent President James Buchanan was seemingly paralyzed and did nothing as the country disintegrated.

Harold Holzer — who has written 30 books on Abraham Lincoln — now takes a fascinating, new look at Lincoln's tricky time as president-elect.

Most previous historians have viewed the period as a blemish on Lincoln's otherwise amazing political career and described him as weak and indecisive. Holzer examines Lincoln's actions and the context of the times to conclude that he actually was taking well-timed, shrewd steps to do what was within his power to hold together the country.

Holzer blends excellent research with skillful writing to make the period come alive, with plenty of interesting tidbits to keep even well-versed history buffs excited with a trail of gold-nugget findings he weaves throughout the narrative.

It is not hero worship. When Lincoln made mistakes — such as sneaking into Washington to avoid an assassination plot, leading to charges of cowardice — they are examined honestly.

While Lincoln likely is the most written-about president in history, this book adds a new dimension to a little-examined period. It is especially fascinating now while Obama moves through his own transition without formal power, and like Lincoln must step gingerly enough not to offend but strong enough to lead others along the path he wants.

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