Jon Meacham's And There Was Light is praised for its meticulous research and compelling narrative, shedding new light on historical events. However, some readers feel it occasionally lacks depth in character analysis. Overall, it’s a well-crafted and insightful read, appealing to both history enthusiasts and general readers alike.

Readers who enjoy And There Was Light by Jon Meacham are typically history enthusiasts, particularly those interested in well-researched biographies and American history. They may also appreciate works like Ron Chernow's Alexander Hamilton and David McCullough's John Adams. This audience values depth, context, and narrative style in historical writing.

And There Was Light by Jon Meacham traces Abraham Lincoln's journey from his modest beginnings in Kentucky to his presidency and eventual assassination, detailing his moral and political evolution amidst the challenges of slavery, democracy, and the Civil War. The narrative highlights Lincoln's personal struggles and dedication to moral and spiritual growth as he navigated the turbulent political landscape of 19th-century America. The book documents a racism-dominated era with historical depictions of pervasive racist sentiments.

Informative / Inspirational / Emotional / Hopeful

Jon Meacham

Adult

Biography

Nonfiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore And There Was Light reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read And There Was Light | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore And There Was Light and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

And There Was Light Summary and Study Guide

Background

And There Was Light Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1, Chapters 1-5

And There Was Light Part 1, Chapters 1-5 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 6-12

And There Was Light Part 2, Chapters 6-12 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 13-16

And There Was Light Part 3, Chapters 13-16 Summary & Analysis

Part 4, Chapters 17-21

And There Was Light Part 4, Chapters 17-21 Summary & Analysis

Part 5, Chapters 22-24

And There Was Light Part 5, Chapters 22-24 Summary & Analysis

Part 6, Chapter 25-Epilogue

And There Was Light Part 6, Chapter 25-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

keyFigure

Key Figures

And There Was Light Key Figures

theme

Themes

And There Was Light Themes

Index of Terms

And There Was Light Index of Terms

quote

citation

character

Important Quotes

And There Was Light Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

And There Was Light Essay Topics

And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read And There Was Light?

Reading Age

Book Details