This Sunday in The Sun, read Glenn C. Altschuler's review of Giants: The Parallel Lives of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln by John Stauffer. Here's an excerpt from the review:

In Giants, Stauffer, a professor of English at Harvard University, examines the lives of these two extraordinary self-made men, the ex-slave from Maryland who became a radical reformer, and the pragmatic politician who pondered whether he could — or should — end "the peculiar institution" while preserving the Union. Their debates, and the friendship they forged, he argues, elegantly and eloquently, helps us understand a major — though not yet complete — shift in American history toward the inclusion of African-Americans in our national ideals of freedom and equality. ...

On occasion, Stauffer gives Douglass, the archetypal agitator, more credit than he deserves. In supporting the actions of John Brown with friendship, words and money, did Douglass, in any meaningful way, assist "in electing Lincoln and killing him"? Did the president "finally" begin to listen to Douglass when he used his war powers as commander-in-chief to emancipate the slaves? Or was Douglass’ role in establishing this "important precedent" actually rather limited?