The Deification of Lincoln

Ira B. Cardiff sets out to correct numerous flaws in the biographical narrative of President Abraham Lincoln, a towering figure whom the author admires but considers unduly deified by certain entities. At the outset, Cardiff is clear this work is not a revelatory debunking of the deeds or traits of Abe Lincoln. Rather, it is an attempt to dispel certain myths that appeared after the death of the 16th President, which became ingrained to the point of acceptance even in historical circles. The author has great respect for Lincoln?s legacy, but finds issue with inaccuracies deeming Lincoln to be near-faultless. Cardiff finds issue with the idea that Lincoln was a committed Christian, when several associates of Lincoln attest to him having little time for matters of God and religion. He finds it insulting that Lincoln?s successes should be attributed to divine favor, when it was shrewd political savvy and keen knowledge of law that enabled his maneuvers before, during and after the U.S. Civil War.