Book excerpt: This compelling collection of early speeches by Abraham Lincoln offers a fascinating glimpse into the mind of one of America's most iconic leaders. Ranging from his early days as a small-town lawyer to his rise to the presidency, these speeches reveal the depth of Lincoln's intellect, his passion for justice, and his unwavering commitment to the ideals of democracy and freedom. Essential reading for anyone interested in American history or political science. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.