David Herbert Donald's "Lincoln" is a stunningly original portrait of Lincoln's life and presidency. Donald brilliantly depicts Lincoln's gradual ascent from humble beginnings in rural Kentucky to the ever-expanding political circles in Illinois, and finally to the presidency of a country divided by civil war. Donald goes beyond biography, illuminating the gradual development of Lincoln's character, chronicling his tremendous capacity for evolution and growth, thus illustrating what made it possible for a man so inexperienced and so unprepared for the presidency to become a great moral leader. In the most troubled of times, here was a man who led the country out of slavery and preserved a shattered Union-- in short, one of the greatest presidents this country has ever seen.
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Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. "A grand work--the Lincoln biography for this generation."
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First Sentence
Abraham Lincoln was not interested in his ancestry. In his mind he was a self-made man, who had no need to care about his family tree. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Abraham Lincoln was not interested in his ancestry. In his mind he was a self-made man, who had no need to care about his family tree. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Mark Klobas
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
Regarded by many as America's greatest president ever, Abraham Lincoln has left a massive impression on its collective imagination. Much of who he is comes to us as almost folkloric imagery - the young 'railsplitter' on the frontier, the small-town attorney, Stephen Douglas' adversary in the most famous debates in American history, the bearded father figure who led the nation through its most divisive conflict before his assassination at the hands of a deranged actor. Few biographers have been better equipped to study the man behind the myth than David Herbert Donald, a Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer and longtime scholar of the era.
The result is impressive. Donald sifts through the mythology and interpretations to lay Lincoln bare, often using Lincoln's own words to define the man. He presents a man of considerable ambition and a healthy ego, which helped him overcome the formidable challenges he faced in life. While Donald's argument that Lincoln was controlled by events is difficult to sustain, his portrait of a master politician who maintained his authority over a young party though tact and guile is excellent, as is his examination of Lincoln's constant problems with the Union army's high command. For readers seeking an introduction to the life of a legendary American leader, this is the book to read.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This retelling of a classic tale-the life of Abraham Lincoln-is exceptional for its use of original historical sources. As a lawyer, I enjoyed the in-depth study of Lincoln's work as a small town circuit lawyer and as a soldier I enjoyed the examination of President Lincoln's decision-making process during our bloody kin-slaying. As an historian, I felt that Mr. Donald has done quite a job focusing on original sources and avoided the use of previous biographical works. This is important. One biographer's work is often carried into another and ruins the value of the picture drawn by a following writer. That doesn't happen here and it is one of the greatest strengths of the book.-Kelly Whiting
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Many of us grow up as fans of someone. But when we get older, we find out that our heroes did not, and perhaps could never, live up to our expectations.
Abraham Lincoln is different, at least for me. After reading Donald's Lincoln you walk away as though you had met the man and had a long -- and honest -- coversation with him. As opposed to many biographies of Lincoln, Donald relies on the president's own words and perceptions, not the author's opinions or views.
An important contribution to the study of Lincoln Donald provides is the humanity in which he treats the president's failures. We find out how he failed at business, politics and love before the successes he accomplished later.
When viewed through the lense of Lincon's life and times, he becomes even greater. The president was not popular, not well-supported by his own political party and not a saint. Lincoln is a politician, a detached but loyal husband, a thinker but not an idealogue and a genuinely funny guy.
Donald's greatest achievement is allowing Lincoln to be Lincoln. I highly recommend this book.
Michael D. Cohen, Ph.D.
Abraham Lincoln is different, at least for me. After reading Donald's Lincoln you walk away as though you had met the man and had a long -- and honest -- coversation with him. As opposed to many biographies of Lincoln, Donald relies on the president's own words and perceptions, not the author's opinions or views.
An important contribution to the study of Lincoln Donald provides is the humanity in which he treats the president's failures. We find out how he failed at business, politics and love before the successes he accomplished later.
When viewed through the lense of Lincon's life and times, he becomes even greater. The president was not popular, not well-supported by his own political party and not a saint. Lincoln is a politician, a detached but loyal husband, a thinker but not an idealogue and a genuinely funny guy.
Donald's greatest achievement is allowing Lincoln to be Lincoln. I highly recommend this book.
Michael D. Cohen, Ph.D.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very good deal
I purchased this old book from one of the seller. It is the first time i have chosen a none amazon seller by the way, but the book came in a very good status and the delivery was... Read more
Published 4 months ago by John
5.0 out of 5 stars
Now anyone can truly know Lincoln and how great a man he was
This biography has helped me understand what a truly great man and a truly great American is. It's humbling just to read of his experiences as a man and a father, not to mention... Read more
Published on 19 May 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
An incredibly, wonderfully readable work achievement!
Professor Donald has achieved "another" biography of Lincoln which should be read and studied by all who are interested. Read more
Published on 31 July 1998
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