Abraham Lincoln and Making a Case

About the Book

We remember Abraham Lincoln for many things, but without his ability at persuasion, we would remember him for nothing. It was that ability that brought him first to national prominence and the White House, and then through the most difficult four years that any president has ever faced. This book focuses exclusively on that ability, looking first at Lincoln’s history of persuasive efforts, from the poverty-stricken boy who stood on tree stumps to repeat sermons, through the young state legislator and congressman, courtroom lawyer, rising national politician, and ultimately president,and then at what made him so effective: his personality and intellect, his credibility and clarity, and his masterful use of fact, logic, and emotion. It is a remarkable story.

About the Author

Mr. Roda graduated from Harvard College and the University of Pennsylvania Law School,and was then a trial and appellate lawyer for 42 years, now retired. He is a member of The International Academy of Trial Lawyers, which limits its United States membership to 500 attorneys, and the American College of Trial Lawyers, which limits its membership to one percent of practicing attorneys in each state. He has given presentations on Abraham Lincoln’s ability at persuasion for the past nine years, to other attorneys and laypersons, and builds in this book on those presentations. He lives with his wife, Elizabeth, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.