Join the Discussion on July 12th with Manisha Sinha

By Debbie Jackson

Washington, D.C.

July 2, 2025

The Lincoln Group’s book study forum will be joined by Manisha Sinha, author of the thought-provoking book “The Rise and Fall of the Second American Revolution: Reconstruction 1860 to 1920,” for an hour-long discussion on Saturday July 12 and you can be a part of the discussion. For details, read on.

The member-led study forum has discussed the book chapter-by-chapter since March. Sinha’s book is something of a departure for the group from studying Lincoln-focused books. The book provides context for the Reconstruction era to consider the impact of Lincoln and the struggles to implement the intentions of emancipation of the four million black slaves.

Sinha, a University of Connecticut history professor, argues that the Reconstruction era began with Lincoln's election in 1860 and ended with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920, which granted women the right to vote. Along the way, Sinha says, the battle between the forces of democracy and reaction raged on several fronts -- in labor battles, in Indian wars in the western U.S. and in the establishment of overseas colonies, primarily through the Spanish-American War in 1898.

Sinha will attend the first hour of the July 12^th session, from 10 a.m. to 11a.m. eastern time, via Zoom, and then the study forum will continue its discussion until noon.  Lincoln Group member Henry Cohen is facilitating the discussions. He has published about 30 book reviews relating to Lincoln and his era. For 28 years, Henry was the book review editor for the Federal Lawyer. He is a retired legislative attorney with the Congressional Research Service at the Library of Congress.

To take part, send an email to LincolnianDC@gmail.com and tell us that you want to attend the book study meeting to receive Zoom information. After that, feel free to Join the Lincoln Group to attend subsequent sessions.

The next book up for discussion will be “Righteous Strife” by Richard Carwardine – a perfect selection for these turbulent times.

July 12^th will be a unique opportunity to take part in what will surely be a fascinating discussion.   Feel free to pop on for the first hour only or stay for the full session to see why the LGDC study forum has attracted participants from throughout the metropolitan region and beyond for over 10 years to study Lincoln.

Photo from the University of Connecticut.