Every American should read and know this momentous speech. During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln gave this speech while dedicating the cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to the soldiers that died there. Lincoln was incorrect in his stated assumption that no one would remember what he said that day long after the events occurred.

It is probably for the best that this was not intended to be a lasting piece of American political history. I think the Gettysburg Address works so well because it is short, concise, and heartfeltly tries to address the tragic moments of its initial deliverance. It is a great snapshot of that war, and captures the uncertainty of its resolution.

I listened to the 2 minute-long free version available on Audible, which is narrated by Ryan Vincent Anderson and is delivered so well. I think the version or others like it can add value to how we engage with history and continue to think about the past today. Of course, you can find the text of the speech for free online with a quick Internet search. I recommend everyone read this; and recommend those who read this for school to re-read this.

One of my goals for the next year is to read one of the great biographies of this renown President.

+Pros:
+ succinct
+ inspiring
+ original

Cons:
- does not have live recording

“It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Speech President Abraham Lincoln gave was the Gettysburg Address. Battle during the civil war between the North and South. Lincoln wanted to end slavery and the south did not. The north had won and Lincoln was nominated for his 2nd term of presidency. By late 1700s Northern states were abolishing slavery. Pennsylvania was the first. The civil war was one of the bloodiest wars losing over 1 million American men.

After reading this speech, it is different and much better than I expected. It is brief, with understandable language instead of the flowery prose I expected from 19th century speech. This speech is succinct. It is very short considering its reputation, but that just meant Lincoln chose his words carefully and crafted one of the greatest speeches ever. This speech must have made such an emotional impact on the soldiers and people of Gettysburg during the Civil War. Now I wish I had a time machine so I could go back and hear the speech being spoken myself. It is too good for the printed page.

I had to memorize this in school *frowns*, but even though I was reluctant and complained and fussed...
I can't help admitting that part of me loved it. The words, the sweetly powerful way they were arranged, the flow of the sentences and the love behind those words...it was all so amazing, so beautiful. You can almost feel the love, the passion, behind every comma and every letter and every period.
Abraham Lincoln was a great man. Thank God for men who shaped our country in His grace!

When differentiating reading, you can read through words, audio, or pictures. What Ames this illustrated book of "The Gettysburg Address" so interesting is that it is easy to use this book using all differentiated methods. The words alone are powerful words as told in the forward, but the illustrations inside give the same message as the text of the speech. So much effort was put forth in creating this book, and it is fabulously done! This is such a great example of how art can tell stories just as well as words can.

What can I say...part of our national treasure.

Short, sweet, and to the point! Like speeches should be :)

"that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth"

Decided to read this a few times, mainly because of the strong reference to this particular speech in 'Lincoln The Unknown' by Dale Carnegie. To set the record straight, the entire speech was there, but I went over this just a few times more hoping to understand what made this one of the greatest speeches of all time.

The beauty, meaning, and timelessness of the speech needs no further commentary. The full-color illustrations just bring it to life and help the reader contemplate Lincoln's words on a whole new level. It's a beautiful book. For more about the artist: https://caldecottcollector.blogspot.c...

Yup, still matters!

Abraham Lincoln was an amazing man, and an amazing President. In today's political climate it is interesting to go back and read his words.