Lincoln and Chief Justice Taney by James F Simon

Lincoln and Chief Justice Taney by James F Simon

The clashes between President Abraham Lincoln and Chief Justice Roger B. Taney over slavery, secession, and Lincoln's constitutional war powers went to the heart of Lincoln's presidency. Lincoln and Taney's bitter disagreements began with Taney's Dred Scott opinion in 1857, when the Chief Justice declared that the Constitution did not grant the black man any rights that the white man was bound to honor. Lincoln attacked the opinion as a warped judicial interperatation of the Framers' intent and accused Taney of being a member of a pro-slavery national conspiracy. In his first inaugural address, Lincoln insisted that the South had no legal right to secede. Taney, who administered the oath of office to Lincoln, believed that the South's seccession was legal and in the best interests of both sections of the country. Once the war began, Lincoln broadly interpreted his constitutional powers as commander in chief to prosecute the war, suspending habeas corpus, censoring the press, and allowing military courts to try civilians for treason. Taney vociferously disagreed, accusing Lincoln of assuming dictatorial powers in violation of the Constitution. Lincoln ignored Taney's protests, and exercised his presidential authority fearlessly, determined that he would preserve the Union. James F. Simon skillfully brings to life this compelling story of the momentous tug-of-war between the President and the Chief Justice during the worst crisis in the nation's history. .taut and gripping.a dramatic, charged narrative.-Publishers Weekly Starred Review

Simon, James F.: - James F. Simon is the Martin Professor of Law and Dean Emeritus at New York Law School. He is the author of seven previous books on American history, law, and politics. His books have won the American Bar Association's Silver Gavel Award and twice been named New York Times Notable Books. He lives with his wife in West Nyack, New York.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780743250320
ISBN 10	074325032X
Title	Lincoln and Chief Justice Taney
Author	James F Simon
Condition	Unavailable
Publisher	Simon & Schuster
Year published	2006-11-07
Number of pages	324
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable