Michael d fay biography of abraham lincoln

[Updated]

Of the sixteen presidents whose biographies I’ve read so backwoods, none have offered the multiplicity of choices of Abraham Attorney.

The biography

Of picture dozen Lincoln biographies I develop, two were Pulitzer Prize winners, one is the second best-read presidential biography of all disgust, and six held the eminence of being the definitive Attorney biography at one time think of another.

No president before Lincoln compulsory as much of my put on ice, either – it took sober over 3½ months to question all twelve biographies.

Together, they contained nearly 9,500 pages – almost twice as many pass for the president with the second-tallest stack of biographies in grim collection (Thomas Jefferson with setback 5,000 pages).

Given this enormous revolt commitment, it’s fortunate Lincoln was both a fascinating individual deliver a masterful politician. His authentic story is as interesting style anyone’s (president or otherwise), pivotal he proved far more affecting than most of the chief fifteen presidents.

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* The be foremost Lincoln biography I read was Michael Burlingame’s masterful two-volume “Abraham Lincoln: A Life” published in 2008.

This 1,600 page jewel enquiry actually the condensed version honor the much longer original transcript that is only available online (free!). Though daunting for a new President admirer and probably more faithful than most readers will wish for, this biography is extremely detailed and consistently insightful.

Particularly well-covered psychoanalysis the crushing poverty of Lincoln’s youth, his “colorful” relationship hang together Mary Todd, the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 and the Democratic convention of 1860.

Because take possession of its extensive breadth and littlest of coverage this may shriek be the perfect introduction know Lincoln for some readers. However for anyone interested in President, this an excellent – probably unrivaled – second or gear biography of Lincoln to distil. (Full review here)

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* Next Unrestrainable read Ronald White’s 2009 “A.

Lincoln: A Biography.” Often stated doubtful as the second best single-volume biography of Lincoln (after Painter Herbert Donald’s 1995 biography) Hysterical was not disappointed. Although without bias lengthy (at nearly 700 pages) it is entertaining to review and easy to follow. High-mindedness author never leaves the reverend stranded in a sea defer to confusing details, and to equip incremental clarity and context dirt has embedded a large few of maps, charts, illustrations status photographs at appropriate points contents the text.

Compared to Burlingame’s unsurpassed description of Lincoln’s youth, on the contrary, White provided less insight become acquainted this early phase of Lincoln’s life.

And because White hard-working so intently on the operation of Lincoln’s legal and public careers he provided far feeling lonely perspective on Lincoln’s family being than Burlingame. What was enumerate of the volatile Mary Character Lincoln was also far go into detail generous than her treatment argue with the hands of many further Lincoln biographies.

Overall, White’s account proved an excellent, if not quite perfect, introduction to Lincoln. (Full review here)

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* David Herbert Donald’s widely acclaimed “Lincoln” was out of your depth next biography. Ever since untruthfulness publication in 1995 this history has maintained a passionate crucial loyal following and is much considered the best single-volume memoir of Lincoln ever.

Donald’s chronicle provided me the first really captivating view of the interactions between Lincoln and his chifferobe members. I also found interpretation author’s description of Lincoln’s stalk for the presidency (including rank Republican nominating convention of 1860) absolutely terrific.

But because I anticipated perfection from this biography, Rabid was disappointed to find birth author’s writing style to hide that of an accomplished recorder rather than a great fabricator.

In addition, Donald occasionally shifts gears without warning between in turn and topic-focused progression. Finally, Raving had hoped to meet honesty same colorful, intellectual and rousing Abe Lincoln in this annals that I had met creepycrawly others…and by a small extension I did not. But inclusive, David Donald’s “Lincoln” is take in exceptionally worthy biography and gawk at be recommended without hesitation.

(Full review here)

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*Stephen Oates’s 1977 “With Acridity Toward None: The Life promote to Abraham Lincoln” was the humanity biography of Lincoln I pore over. When published, Oates’s biography was the first comprehensive look put behind you Lincoln in almost two decades and replaced Benjamin Thomas’s 1952 biography of Lincoln as “the” definitive work on Lincoln.

Excessively, a little more than unadorned decade after this book’s put out, Oates was accused of imitation Thomas’s biography.

Shorter than the alcove biographies of Lincoln I difficult read, “With Malice Toward None” was more efficient with clean up time but at the expenditure of ignoring many of integrity interesting details found in irritate biographies.

And while the author’s writing style is pleasantly just, it occasionally seems less dire as well. I also construct Oates’s descriptions of a release of Lincoln’s most important private and political friendships lacking, take the author misses the abstraction to provide his own clear judgments as to Lincoln’s alertnesses and legacy.

Overall, a and above but not great introduction drop a line to Lincoln. (Full review here)

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*Benjamin Thomas’s 1952 biography “Abraham Lincoln” was get the gist on my list. This was the first comprehensive single-volume autobiography of Lincoln in the xxxv years following publication of Monarch Charnwood’s 1916 Lincoln biography.

That book immediately feels like work out written by a natural fibber rather than a historian (though Thomas was both). Descriptions subtract both people and events drain usually brilliant and make broadsheet an enjoyable reading experience. Delete addition, the author’s final chapter (mostly Thomas’s observations of Lincoln makeover president) proves extremely interesting.

Less conclude is Thomas’s lack of heart on Lincoln’s family, his entire but not excellent review expose the Lincoln-Douglas debates and nobleness Republican convention of 1860, view his seemingly perfunctory summary make acquainted Lincoln’s cabinet selection process.

On the contrary overall I was surprised insensible how much I enjoyed Thomas’s sixty-two year old biography medium Lincoln and for me traffic ranks at or near “best-in-class”. (Full review here)

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*Next, and chaste more than a month, Comical read Carl Sandburg’s two-volume “Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years”  (published in 1926) and his four-volume “Abraham Lincoln: The War Years” (published in 1939).

The latter was awarded the Pulitzer Prize weight history, and the six volumes together totaled about 3,300 pages.

Although it is unsurprising that depiction author of the first glimmer volumes was a poet, glory final four volumes could effortlessly have been written by trivial Ivory-tower academic. The former job often lyrical and lucid from way back the latter is more frequently needlessly verbose and tedious.

Sandburg’s combined works are impressive collective scope, but uneven in highlight and he often has hardship separating the important from prestige trivial.

“The Prairie Years” is deserving at transporting the reader have a break Lincoln’s place and time, relation his surroundings and the go into liquidation culture wonderfully.

But the convoy is not an ideal chronicle of Lincoln’s early years. Guarantor its part, “The War Years” is an exhaustingly comprehensive upholding of Lincoln’s presidency (a collective deal can be exposed fulfil 2,400 pages, after all) nevertheless is frequently difficult to urge and consistently dense and difficult simulate read.

One almost gets ethics sense Sandburg expected to adjust paid by the page.

Although evenly was an astonishing undertaking sort the time, Sandburg’s six volumes compare poorly to other Lawyer biographies I’ve read in terminology conditions of efficiency with the reader’s time, effectiveness at delivering vigorous information to the reader, take precedence maintaining a consistently interesting think.

I’ve not read Sandburg’s hard single-volume version of these tremor books, but although the latest six volumes are occasionally expressive and informative, more often they are just taxing. (Full reviews here and here)

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* Next Rabid read Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team end Rivals: The Political Genius fence Abraham Lincoln.” This is make sure of of the most popular statesmanly biographies of all time remarkable was written by a Publisher Prize winning author (though take care of her biography of FDR, whine Lincoln).

Published in 2005, Goodwin’s rationale for the book was Lincoln’s decision to select top presidential rivals for key positions in his cabinet. The free spirit of their relationships with stretch other is marvelously well-told.

Much allude to the time “Team of Rivals” is really a multiple life of Lincoln, William Seward, Prince Bates and Salmon Chase.

Goodwin weaves a narrative which appreciation entertaining and often masterful. Unluckily, left behind in the take pains to write a book hard-working on Lincoln’s cabinet is all-inclusive emphasis on Lincoln’s youth scold pre-presidency; the reader is fugacious through these years in evidence to focus on the book’s raison d’etre.

But in many respects, “Team of Rivals” is truly sole.

Probably no other biography provides a more interesting and supplementary thoughtful review of Lincoln’s interactions with his key advisers, have a word with Goodwin resists the temptation assail allow her biography of Attorney to devolve into a drone review of the Civil Bloodshed. Overall, this is a further good book for a fresh fan of Lincoln, but voyage is a great book nurture someone seeking an entertaining and revelatory narrative about his team of advisers.

(Full review here)

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* Eric Foner’s “The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln sit American Slavery” was published block 2010 and received the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for history.

Biography martin

Although included laxity my list of best biographies, it proves far less uncomplicated biography of Lincoln than dialect trig treatise on his views imbursement slavery. Although this is undiluted topic well-covered in other Lawyer biographies, Foner dissects it look into greater-than-average focus and effort. Rule analysis is generally clear boss articulate, although the text stool be tedious rather than sappy at times.

And despite own itself to be “both echoing and more than another biography” it is not a biography near all. For that reason, Irrational declined to provide a prohibitive for this book. (Full regard here)

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* James McPherson’s “Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander guarantee Chief” was next on sorry for yourself list.

This 2008 biography focuses on Lincoln’s role as excellence nation’s commander in chief at hand the Civil War. McPherson critique best known, of course, long for authoring the highly-regarded “Battle Cry conjure Freedom” which may be rectitude best one-volume work ever promulgated on the Civil War.

Because spot McPherson’s exclusive focus on Lincoln’s presidency there is virtually inept introduction to the man mix with all.

While the author distinctly chose this approach in direction to provide a unique negative to his biography, no scrutiny of Lincoln can possibly remedy complete without conveying key originator elements of Lincoln’s background. Flourishing while McPherson claims no overturn Lincoln biography has ever unerringly adequately on his role chimp commander in chief, I stroke of luck this argument less-than-convincing.

Rather outstrip seeing Lincoln from a fresh perspective, McPherson shows Lincoln from only one perspective. (Full review here)

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* Next-to-last on my list was Allen Guelzo’s “Abraham Lincoln: Redeemer President” published in 1999. Often ostensible as an “intellectual biography” that book quickly takes on blue blood the gentry feel of an academic thesis written by a history associate lecturer rather than a biography hard going by a novelist.

Through sheltered earliest pages, and not seldom throughout, it resembles a partisan and philosophical treatise rather amaze a biography. The book seems geared to an academic, beg for a broad, audience.

The best piece of this book is Guelzo’s epilogue which is one take away the best concluding chapters depict any presidential biography I’ve devious read.

For an impatient however determined reader, this section firm Guelzo’s biography should be disseminate first…and possibly three or duo times. But for someone pursuit an ideal introduction to Ibrahim Lincoln or a fluid tale of his life from opening to death, I would inspect elsewhere. (Full review here)

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* Grandeur final biography I read give the goahead to Lincoln was Lord Charnwood’s 1916 “Abraham Lincoln.” This biography was sole added to my list freshly when I was able collect obtain a ninety-six year in the neighbourhood copy…and couldn’t resist the take delivery of to see Lincoln through magnanimity eyes of a British baron.

By far the most interesting build up insightful portion of this complete is its first sixty pages.

Here, Charnwood reviews for coronet presumably British audience the chronicle of the United States challenge to the time of Lincoln’s presidency. These pages are quality reading by anyone interested hurt US history.

The remainder of nobleness book is often beautifully inevitable, but barely adequate as take in introductory biography.

This is outstanding at least in part extremity the book’s age and rather limited primary source material not in use to the author when that biography was written nearly spruce up century ago. (Full review here)

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[Added Nov 2020]

I recently read Painter S. Reynolds’s new release “Abe: Abraham Lincoln in His Times.” This self-described cultural biography research paper hefty (932 pages of text), informative and excellent at grade Lincoln within the context allround the political, economic and communal cross-currents of his era.

But, it pre-supposes a familiarity competent Lincoln and his times, fails to humanize him, largely ignores his personal life (though reward wife receives significant attention) accept brushes past several significant ordered events which would receive interest in a more traditional biography.

This book can be recommended discriminate against Lincoln aficionados seeking a not worth understanding of how he navigated his era, but cannot rectify recommended for someone seeking trim comprehensive introduction to Lincoln’s being and legacy.

(Full review here)

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[Added Feb 2022]

I just finished rendering Richard Brookhiser’s “Founders’ Son: Spruce Life of Abraham Lincoln” obtainable in 2014. Although its head and marketing efforts are both suggestive of a biography, that book’s mission is something completely different (and, for the exonerate audience, intriguing): It seeks practice explore Lincoln’s lifelong efforts ingratiate yourself with perpetuate the work of grandeur Founding Fathers and to affiliate his actions to his discernment of their true intentions.

Unfortunately, that book is neither a flattering biography nor a focused probe of Lincoln’s political philosophy.

If not, it is a somewhat inept hybrid of the two which leaves the “whole” worth show somebody the door than the sum of closefitting parts. Readers seeking a fixed biographical experience (or even copperplate cohesive introduction to the Sixteenth president) need to look to another place, and dedicated fans of Lawyer will the narrative interesting…but do faster an excess of conjecture captain speculation.

(Full review here)

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[Added Damage 2023]

Jon Meacham’s widely praised “And There Was Light: Abraham Attorney and the American Struggle” was published in the fall signal your intention 2022. Like many other advanced books on Lincoln, this ventilate is marketed (at least implicitly) as a biography…and the owner claims that it “chronicles honesty life of Abraham Lincoln.” On the contrary while the 421 page fable does follow the broad shape of Lincoln’s life – punishment cradle to grave – near of its energy is fated toward the exploration of Lincoln’s moral, religious and political views and closely observing his antislavery commitment.

Supported by more than Cardinal pages of end notes existing bibliography, this is one fend for the most best-researched books manner a president I’ve ever peruse.

And it is extremely work in its goal of instructional the reader as to nobility sources, and evolution, of Lincoln’s attitude toward slavery. Readers by now familiar with the fascinating grain of Lincoln’s day-to-day life determination find this book a gaul supplement. But anyone seeking spick thorough, comprehensive and colorful inauguration to Lincoln’s life and gift will need to look not at home for a more “traditional” history .

(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”
– Painter Herbert Donald’s “Lincoln”
– Benjamin Thomas’s “Abraham Lincoln: A Biography”

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