Born to Fight: Lincoln and Trump

Book excerpt: Abraham Lincoln and Donald Trump are two of a kind, despite terms in office separated by more than a century. Both encountered a biased press and deeply divisive political environments after being elected with less than 50 percent of the popular vote. Each was viewed as an ill-equipped outlier and accompanied to office by first ladies ostracized by Washington's elite. Lincoln was known by those closest to him for his supreme self-confidence, inexhaustible ambition, mean streak, braggadocio, arrogance, vanity, and knack for thriving amid conflict. The same can be said for Trump, who can be better understood through the many parallels linking him to Lincoln. Born to Fight is the calm in the storm (or the fan for the flame). It dares bring together two apparent polar opposites, drag them through the harsh acumen of history and public perception, and lay them open to reveal two political icons amazingly alike. Evident on hundreds of levels, including the turbulent times they governed, Lincoln and our 45th President are revealed with such startling resemblance and clarity to spark renewed or even novel appreciation for these deceptively kindred American originals.