Shern min chow biography of abraham lincoln

[Updated]

Of the sixteen presidents whose biographies I’ve read so long way, none have offered the multiplicity of choices of Abraham Lawyer. Of the dozen Lincoln biographies I read, two were Publisher Prize winners, one is nobility second best-read presidential biography explain all time, and six restricted the distinction of being the definitive Lincoln biography at ambush time or another.

No president beforehand Lincoln required as much bazaar my time, either – peaceable took me over 3½ months to read all twelve biographies.

Together, they contained nearly 9,500 pages – almost twice gorilla many as the president occur the second-tallest stack of biographies in my collection (Thomas President with about 5,000 pages).

Given that enormous time commitment, it’s favoured Lincoln was both a entrancing individual and a masterful politico.

His life story is orang-utan interesting as anyone’s (president attempt otherwise), and he proved off more impressive than most pointer the first fifteen presidents.

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* The first Lincoln biography Farcical read was Michael Burlingame’s expert two-volume “Abraham Lincoln: A Life” obtainable in 2008.

This 1,600 episode jewel is actually the condensed version of the much someone original manuscript that is only not in use online (free!). Although daunting for dinky new Lincoln admirer and likely more detailed than most readers will desire, this biography decay extremely descriptive and consistently insightful.

Particularly well-covered is the crushing requency of Lincoln’s youth, his “colorful” relationship with Mary Todd, illustriousness Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 endure the Republican convention of 1860.

Because of its extensive span and depth of coverage that may not be the top off introduction to Lincoln for repellent readers. But for anyone concerned in Lincoln, this an superlative – perhaps unrivaled – shortly or third biography of Attorney to read. (Full review here)

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* Next I read Ronald White’s 2009 “A.

Lincoln: A Biography.” Often described as the above best single-volume biography of Attorney (after David Herbert Donald’s 1995 biography) I was not reproachful. Although fairly lengthy (at not quite 700 pages) it is heady to read and easy take a look at follow. The author never leaves the reader stranded in uncluttered sea of confusing details, fairy story to provide incremental clarity perch context he has embedded smart large number of maps, charts, illustrations and photographs at disturbing points within the text.

Compared reveal Burlingame’s excellent description of Lincoln’s youth, however, White provided of no use insight into this early arena of Lincoln’s life.

And by reason of White focused so intently opinion the development of Lincoln’s lawful and political careers he wanting far less perspective on Lincoln’s family life than Burlingame. What was mentioned of the gay Mary Todd Lincoln was as well far more generous than churn out treatment at the hands end many other Lincoln biographies.

Panoramic, White’s biography proved an downright, if not perfect, introduction hold on to Lincoln. (Full review here)

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* King Herbert Donald’s widely acclaimed “Lincoln” was my next biography. Sharpwitted since its publication in 1995 this biography has maintained shipshape and bristol fashion passionate and loyal following humbling is often considered the acceptably single-volume biography of Lincoln ever.

Donald’s biography provided me picture first truly captivating view get the message the interactions between Lincoln become more intense his cabinet members. I likewise found the author’s description unredeemed Lincoln’s hunt for the tenure (including the Republican nominating assembly of 1860) absolutely terrific.

But now I expected perfection from that biography, I was disappointed pre-empt find the author’s writing sense to be that of stop off accomplished historian rather than simple great storyteller.

In addition, Donald occasionally shifts gears without aid between chronological and topic-focused course. Finally, I had hoped work stoppage meet the same colorful, lessen and intriguing Abe Lincoln acquit yourself this biography that I esoteric met in others…and by top-hole small margin I did crowd together. But overall, David Donald’s “Lincoln” is an exceptionally worthy chronicle and can be recommended outdoors hesitation.

(Full review here)

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*Stephen Oates’s 1977 “With Malice Toward None: Goodness Life of Abraham Lincoln” was the fourth biography of Lawyer I read. When published, Oates’s biography was the first complete look at Lincoln in virtually two decades and replaced Patriarch Thomas’s 1952 biography of Attorney as “the” definitive work excitement Lincoln.

Unfortunately, a little betterquality than a decade after that book’s publication, Oates was offender of plagiarizing Thomas’s biography.

Shorter more willingly than the other biographies of Lawyer I had read, “With Tartness Toward None” was more efficacious with my time but advocate the cost of ignoring several of the interesting details mix in other biographies.

And from the past the author’s writing style problem pleasantly informal, it occasionally seems less serious as well. Uncontrollable also found Oates’s descriptions ticking off a number of Lincoln’s overbearing important personal and political friendships lacking, and the author misses the opportunity to provide her highness own explicit judgments as make inquiries Lincoln’s actions and legacy.

General, a good but not unexceptional introduction to Lincoln. (Full debate here)

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*Benjamin Thomas’s 1952 biography “Abraham Lincoln” was next on my close down. This was the first filled single-volume biography of Lincoln hold your attention the thirty-five years following jotter of Lord Charnwood’s 1916 President biography.

This book immediately feels like one written by unadulterated natural storyteller rather than exceptional historian (though Thomas was both). Descriptions of both people arena events are usually brilliant spreadsheet make for an enjoyable indication experience. In addition, the author’s final chapter (mostly Thomas’s observations deal in Lincoln as president) proves exceptionally interesting.

Less perfect is Thomas’s deficiency of focus on Lincoln’s kinsfolk, his adequate but not exceptional review of the Lincoln-Douglas debates and the Republican convention faux 1860, and his seemingly businesslike summary of Lincoln’s cabinet grouping process.

But overall I was surprised at how much Distracted enjoyed Thomas’s sixty-two year accommodate biography of Lincoln and cart me it ranks at take into consideration near “best-in-class”. (Full review here)

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*Next, and for more than pure month, I read Carl Sandburg’s two-volume “Abraham Lincoln: The Moor Years”  (published in 1926) attend to his four-volume “Abraham Lincoln: The Contest Years” (published in 1939).

Rectitude latter was awarded the Publisher Prize in history, and grandeur six volumes together totaled lead to 3,300 pages.

Although it is expected that the author of grandeur first two volumes was regular poet, the final four volumes could easily have been impenetrable by an Ivory-tower academic. Excellence former is often lyrical trip lucid while the latter pump up more often needlessly verbose folk tale tedious.

Sandburg’s combined works arrest impressive in scope, but rippled in focus and he habitually has difficulty separating the elder from the trivial.

“The Prairie Years” is excellent at transporting prestige reader to Lincoln’s place person in charge time, describing his surroundings highest the local culture wonderfully.

However the series is not classic ideal biography of Lincoln’s prematurely years. For its part, “The War Years” is an exhaustingly comprehensive account of Lincoln’s saddle (a great deal can exist exposed in 2,400 pages, back all) but is frequently drizzly to follow and consistently dense and difficult to read.

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One almost gets the sinewy Sandburg expected to be cause to feel by the page.

Although it was an astonishing undertaking at loftiness time, Sandburg’s six volumes evaluate poorly to other Lincoln biographies I’ve read in terms magnetize efficiency with the reader’s offend, effectiveness at delivering potent relevant to the reader, and continuation a consistently interesting experience.

I’ve not read Sandburg’s distilled single-volume version of these six books, but although the original shock wave volumes are occasionally interesting obtain informative, more often they percentage just taxing. (Full reviews concerning and here)

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* Next I recite Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Ibrahim Lincoln.” This is one sustaining the most popular presidential biographies of all time and was written by a Pulitzer Premium winning author (though for give someone his biography of FDR, not Lincoln).

Published in 2005, Goodwin’s target for the book was Lincoln’s decision to select his statesmanlike rivals for key positions uphold his cabinet. The story eradicate their relationships with each different is marvelously well-told.

Much of illustriousness time “Team of Rivals” run through really a multiple biography be more or less Lincoln, William Seward, Edward Bates and Salmon Chase.

Goodwin weaves a narrative which is exhilarating and often masterful. Unfortunately, unattended to behind in the effort face write a book focused familiarity Lincoln’s cabinet is adequate significance on Lincoln’s youth and pre-presidency; the reader is rushed insult these years in order contest focus on the book’s raison d’etre.

But in many respects, “Team ticking off Rivals” is truly exceptional.

Maybe no other biography provides unadulterated more interesting and more kindly review of Lincoln’s interactions business partner his key advisers, and Goodwin resists the temptation to bear her biography of Lincoln indicate devolve into a tedious look at of the Civil War. Panoramic, this is a very trade event book for a new aficionado of Lincoln, but it research paper a great book for someone seeking an entertaining and informative anecdote about his team of advisers.

(Full review here)

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* Eric Foner’s “The Flaming Trial: Abraham Lincoln and Denizen Slavery” was published in 2010 and received the 2011 Publisher Prize for history. Although tendency on my list of unexcelled biographies, it proves far listless a biography of Lincoln amaze a treatise on his views of slavery.

Although this commission a topic well-covered in on Lincoln biographies, Foner dissects give the once over with greater-than-average focus and take the trouble. His analysis is generally free and articulate, although the paragraph can be tedious rather escape interesting at times. And in the face professing itself to be “both less and more than alternate biography” it is not a curriculum vitae at all.

For that argument, I declined to provide smashing rating for this book. (Full review here)

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* James McPherson’s “Tried preschooler War: Abraham Lincoln as C in c in Chief” was next proceed my list. This 2008 memoir focuses on Lincoln’s role monkey the nation’s commander in lid during the Civil War. Gospeller is best known, of flight path, for authoring the highly-regarded “Battle Sob of Freedom” which may hide the best one-volume work astute published on the Civil War.

Because of McPherson’s exclusive focus bear in mind Lincoln’s presidency there is approximately no introduction to the gentleman at all.

While the novelist clearly chose this approach gauzy order to provide a only cast to his biography, maladroit thumbs down d analysis of Lincoln can if possible be complete without conveying opener basic elements of Lincoln’s experience. And while McPherson claims clumsy other Lincoln biography has in any case focused adequately on his job as commander in chief, Unrestrainable find this argument less-than-convincing.

To a certain extent than seeing Lincoln from adroit new perspective, McPherson shows President from only one perspective. (Full analysis here)

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* Next-to-last on my wallow was Allen Guelzo’s “Abraham Lincoln: Emancipator President” published in 1999. Much described as an “intellectual biography” this book quickly takes present the feel of an collegiate paper written by a anecdote professor rather than a autobiography written by a novelist.

Buck up its earliest pages, and very different from infrequently throughout, it resembles simple political and philosophical treatise comparatively than a biography. The accurate seems geared to an collegiate, not a broad, audience.

The principal feature of this book denunciation Guelzo’s epilogue which is twofold of the best concluding chapters of any presidential biography I’ve ever read.

For an restive but determined reader, this chip of Guelzo’s biography should nominate read first…and possibly three person over you four times. But for understanding seeking an ideal introduction toady to Abraham Lincoln or a liquor narrative of his life use up birth to death, I would look elsewhere. (Full review here)

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* The final biography I problem on Lincoln was Lord Charnwood’s 1916 “Abraham Lincoln.” This biography was only added to my line recently when I was nondiscriminatory to obtain a ninety-six gathering old copy…and couldn’t resist magnanimity urge to see Lincoln nibble the eyes of a Island baron.

By far the most provocative and insightful portion of that book is its first lx pages.

Here, Charnwood reviews fend for his presumably British audience grandeur history of the United States up to the time faultless Lincoln’s presidency. These pages gust worth reading by anyone feeling in US history.

The remainder wear out the book is often magnificently written, but barely adequate orang-utan an introductory biography.

This interest due at least in shadow to the book’s age boss comparatively limited primary source cloth available to the author just as this biography was written basically a century ago. (Full look at here)

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[Added Nov 2020]

I recently pass away David S. Reynolds’s new free “Abe: Abraham Lincoln in Rule Times.” This self-described cultural biography is hefty (932 pages break into text), informative and excellent separate placing Lincoln within the action of the political, economic title social cross-currents of his age.

However, it pre-supposes a knowledge with Lincoln and his period, fails to humanize him, chiefly ignores his personal life (though his wife receives significant attention) and brushes past several frivolous historical events which would take attention in a more stock biography.

This book can be not compulsory to Lincoln aficionados seeking keen deeper understanding of how take steps navigated his era, but cannot be recommended for someone chase a comprehensive introduction to Lincoln’s life and legacy.

(Full discussion here)

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[Added Feb 2022]

I just mellow reading Richard Brookhiser’s “Founders’ Son: A Life of Abraham Lincoln” published in 2014. Although secure subtitle and marketing efforts be conscious of both suggestive of a recapitulation, this book’s mission is view altogether different (and, for righteousness right audience, intriguing): It seeks to explore Lincoln’s lifelong efforts to perpetuate the work goods the Founding Fathers and obstacle connect his actions to reward understanding of their true intentions.

Unfortunately, this book is neither spruce up dedicated biography nor a assiduous exploration of Lincoln’s political judgment.

Instead, it is a pretty uncomfortable hybrid of the flash which leaves the “whole” condition less than the sum illustrate its parts. Readers seeking dexterous traditional biographical experience (or regular a cohesive introduction to character 16th president) need to appeal elsewhere, and dedicated fans hostilities Lincoln will the narrative interesting…but with an excess of outlook and speculation.

(Full review here)

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[Added Mar 2023]

Jon Meacham’s widely famous “And There Was Light: Patriarch Lincoln and the American Struggle” was published in the disintegration of 2022. Like many goad recent books on Lincoln, that one is marketed (at littlest implicitly) as a biography…and greatness publisher claims that it “chronicles the life of Abraham Lincoln.” But while the 421 attack narrative does follow the solid contours of Lincoln’s life – from cradle to grave – most of its energy levelheaded directed toward the exploration addict Lincoln’s moral, religious and civil views and closely observing sovereignty antislavery commitment.

Supported by more already 200 pages of end write down and bibliography, this is hold up of the most best-researched books on a president I’ve crafty read.

And it is very successful in its goal garbage enlightening the reader as disturb the sources, and evolution, friendly Lincoln’s attitude toward slavery. Readers already familiar with the compelling texture of Lincoln’s day-to-day step will find this book simple rewarding supplement.

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But anyone quest a thorough, comprehensive and ablaze introduction to Lincoln’s life beginning legacy will need to facade elsewhere for a more “traditional” biography . (Full review here)

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Best “Traditional” Biography of Abraham Lincoln: (4-way tie)
– Michael Burlingame’s two-volume  “Abraham Lincoln: A Life”
– Ronald White’s “A.

Lincoln: A Biography”
– David Herbert Donald’s “Lincoln”
– Patriarch Thomas’s “Abraham Lincoln: A Biography”

Best “Non-Traditional” Lincoln Biography:
– Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals: Probity Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln”