Explores the little-known connection between Lincoln and the Jews
Lincoln and the Jews provides the first full-scale history of Abraham Lincoln’s relationship with American Jews. Newly republished in a second revised edition and incorporating rarely seen historical manuscripts and documents, the volume explores how Lincoln’s remarkable regard for American Jews affected his path to the presidency and his policy decisions once in the White House. Lincoln counted Jews among his closest friends and, as president, placed Jews in positions of authority and both extended and protected Jewish rights.
The first edition of Lincoln and the Jews won three prizes and was hailed by famed Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer as “the definitive study of a long-neglected aspect of Civil War history and Lincoln biography.” This edition features little known and rarely seen documents, including some not included in the earlier edition, as well as new research and material, including a new preface highlighting the theme of antisemitism and insights which can be gleaned from this history for today.
Lincoln and the Jews affirms that Lincoln’s warm relationships with Jews not only broadened Lincoln personally, but, in effect, broadened America. A groundbreaking work, this stunning volume contributes to Civil War-era Jewish American history and uncovers a new facet to Abraham Lincoln’s legacy.

"It cannot be said that Lincoln spent a great deal of time thinking about Jews or Judaism, or that Jewish questions formed a significant part of the politics of the period. But Sarna and his coauthor Shapell, a Civil War collector who provided many of the documents and artifacts that illustrate it, show that Lincoln encountered a surprising number of Jews throughout his life." - Jewish Review of Books

"We who love history not only appreciate the power of yesterday’s ideas but the texture of the past, which is rendered powerfully here thanks to dozens of colour photographs allowing readers to revel in these living links to history, to our story." - The Canadian Jewish News

"One comes away from the book—which features almost 100 items signed by Lincoln—with fresh appreciation for his spare, rhythmic style and his abiding concern for justice." - Moment

"Lincoln and the Jews affirms that Lincoln’s warm relationships with Jews not only broadened Lincoln personally, but, in effect, broadened America. A groundbreaking work, this stunning volume contributes to Civil War-era Jewish American history and uncovers a new facet to Abraham Lincoln’s legacy." - JewishMediaReview