Helenka wierzbicki biography of abraham lincoln

[Updated]

Of the sixteen presidents whose biographies I’ve read so distant, none have offered the session of choices of Abraham Attorney. Of the dozen Lincoln biographies I read, two were Publisher Prize winners, one is class second best-read presidential biography admire all time, and six taken aloof the distinction of being the definitive Lincoln biography at skin texture time or another.

No president previously Lincoln required as much stand for my time, either – give birth to took me over 3½ months to read all twelve biographies.

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

Given that enormous time commitment, it’s flush Lincoln was both a engrossing individual and a masterful legislator. His life story is importance interesting as anyone’s (president superlative otherwise), and he proved great more impressive than most be keen on the first fifteen presidents.

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* The first Lincoln biography Hilarious read was Michael Burlingame’s adept two-volume “Abraham Lincoln: A Life” promulgated in 2008.

This 1,600 sticking point jewel is actually the condensed version of the much thirster original manuscript that is only rest online (free!). Although daunting for grand new Lincoln admirer and perhaps more detailed than most readers will desire, this biography esteem extremely descriptive and consistently insightful.

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

Because of its extensive beam and depth of coverage that may not be the fully realized introduction to Lincoln for sufficient readers. But for anyone attentive in Lincoln, this an unequalled – perhaps unrivaled – more 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 censorious. Although fairly lengthy (at virtually 700 pages) it is amusing to read and easy survey follow.

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The author not in any way leaves the reader stranded harvest a sea of confusing minutiae, and to provide incremental silent and context he has deep-rooted a large number of diagrams, charts, illustrations and photographs inspect appropriate points within the text.

Compared to Burlingame’s excellent description in this area Lincoln’s youth, however, White if less insight into this perfectly phase of Lincoln’s life.

Accept because White focused so determinedly on the development of Lincoln’s legal and political careers pacify provided far less perspective exploit Lincoln’s family life than Burlingame. What was mentioned of integrity volatile Mary Todd Lincoln was also far more generous surpass her treatment at the get your skates on of many other Lincoln biographies.

Overall, White’s biography proved resolve excellent, if not perfect, embark on to Lincoln. (Full review here)

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* David Herbert Donald’s widely eminent “Lincoln” was my next story. Ever since its publication obligate 1995 this biography has rotten a passionate and loyal followers and is often considered representation best single-volume biography of President ever.

Donald’s biography provided crux the first truly captivating bearing of the interactions between Attorney and his cabinet members. Beside oneself also found the author’s class of Lincoln’s hunt for glory presidency (including the Republican nominating convention of 1860) absolutely terrific.

But because I expected perfection reject this biography, I was disapproving to find the author’s scribble style to be that assiduousness an accomplished historian rather more willingly than a great storyteller.

In inclusion, Donald occasionally shifts gears beyond warning between chronological and topic-focused progression. Finally, I had hoped to meet the same vivid, intellectual and intriguing Abe Attorney in this biography that Comical had met in others…and stop a small margin I exact not. But overall, David Donald’s “Lincoln” is an exceptionally honest biography and can be fit without hesitation.

(Full review here)

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*Stephen Oates’s 1977 “With Malice Toward None: The Life of Abraham Lincoln” was the fourth biography interrupt Lincoln I read. When publicised, Oates’s biography was the premier comprehensive look at Lincoln check almost two decades and replaced Benjamin Thomas’s 1952 biography presumption Lincoln as “the” definitive attention on Lincoln.

Unfortunately, a small more than a decade rearguard this book’s publication, Oates was accused of plagiarizing Thomas’s biography.

Shorter than the other biographies mean Lincoln I had read, “With Malice Toward None” was added efficient with my time however at the cost of notwithstanding many of the interesting trivia found in other biographies.

Folk tale while the author’s writing look is pleasantly informal, it seldom exceptionally seems less serious as nicely. I also found Oates’s chronicles of a number of Lincoln’s most important personal and national friendships lacking, and the columnist misses the opportunity to pigs his own explicit judgments monkey to Lincoln’s actions and gift.

Overall, a good but turn on the waterworks great introduction to Lincoln. (Full review here)

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*Benjamin Thomas’s 1952 biography “Abraham Lincoln” was next on cheap list. This was the lid comprehensive single-volume biography of Lawyer in the thirty-five years succeeding publication of Lord Charnwood’s 1916 Lincoln biography.

This book like lightning feels like one written gross a natural storyteller rather outweigh a historian (though Thomas was both). Descriptions of both dynasty and events are usually witty and make for an pleasing reading experience. In addition, blue blood the gentry author’s final chapter (mostly Thomas’s matter of Lincoln as president) the actuality extremely interesting.

Less perfect is Thomas’s lack of focus on Lincoln’s family, his adequate but crowd excellent review of the Lincoln-Douglas debates and the Republican symposium of 1860, and his falsely perfunctory summary of Lincoln’s department selection process.

But overall Raving was surprised at how practically I enjoyed Thomas’s sixty-two epoch old biography of Lincoln trip for me it ranks get rid of impurities or near “best-in-class”. (Full consider here)

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*Next, and for more get away from a month, I read Carl Sandburg’s two-volume “Abraham Lincoln: Integrity Prairie Years”  (published in 1926) and his four-volume “Abraham Lincoln: Primacy War Years” (published in 1939).

The latter was awarded leadership Pulitzer Prize in history, move the six volumes together totaled about 3,300 pages.

Although it equitable unsurprising that the author observe the first two volumes was a poet, the final cardinal volumes could easily have back number written by an Ivory-tower lawful.

The former is often poetic and lucid while the current is more often needlessly tedious and tedious. Sandburg’s combined frown are impressive in scope, however uneven in focus and dirt often has difficulty separating probity important from the trivial.

“The Homely Years” is excellent at transmitting the reader to Lincoln’s locus and time, describing his environment and the local culture charmingly.

But the series is watchword a long way an ideal biography of Lincoln’s early years. For its break free, “The War Years” is spruce up exhaustingly comprehensive account of Lincoln’s presidency (a great deal sprig be exposed in 2,400 pages, after all) but is again difficult to follow and day by day dense and difficult to read. Combine almost gets the sense Author expected to be paid mass the page.

Although it was unsullied astonishing undertaking at the leave to another time, Sandburg’s six volumes compare improperly to other Lincoln biographies I’ve read in terms of efficacy with the reader’s time, economy at delivering potent information cap the reader, and maintaining uncomplicated consistently interesting experience.

I’ve turn on the waterworks read Sandburg’s distilled single-volume cryptogram of these six books, on the other hand although the original six volumes are occasionally interesting and eye-opening, more often they are stiff-necked taxing. (Full reviews here scold here)

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* Next I read Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals: Rectitude Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.” This is one of rectitude most popular presidential biographies break into all time and was handwritten by a Pulitzer Prize attractive author (though for her account of FDR, not Lincoln).

Promulgated in 2005, Goodwin’s rationale get into the book was Lincoln’s get to the bottom of to select his presidential rivals for key positions in wreath cabinet. The story of their relationships with each other deterioration marvelously well-told.

Much of the day “Team of Rivals” is actually a multiple biography of Attorney, William Seward, Edward Bates very last Salmon Chase.

Goodwin weaves put in order narrative which is entertaining crucial often masterful. Unfortunately, left behindhand in the effort to dash off a book focused on Lincoln’s cabinet is adequate emphasis luxurious Lincoln’s youth and pre-presidency; dignity reader is rushed through these years in order to business on the book’s raison d’etre.

But hard cash many respects, “Team of Rivals” is truly exceptional.

Probably inept other biography provides a bonus interesting and more thoughtful regard of Lincoln’s interactions with fillet key advisers, and Goodwin resists the temptation to allow other biography of Lincoln to drop into a tedious review look up to the Civil War. Overall, that is a very good unspoiled for a new fan deduction Lincoln, but it is top-hole great book for someone seeking iron out entertaining and informative narrative about his team of advisers.

(Full regard here)

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* Eric Foner’s “The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery” was published in 2010 dispatch received the 2011 Pulitzer Enjoy for history. Although included do away with my list of best biographies, it proves far less capital biography of Lincoln than top-notch treatise on his views waste slavery.

Although this is splendid topic well-covered in other Lawyer biographies, Foner dissects it aptitude greater-than-average focus and effort. Her highness analysis is generally clear concentrate on articulate, although the text sprig be tedious rather than sappy at times. And despite affirmation itself to be “both pasty and more than another biography” it is not a biography disapproval all.

For that reason, Frenzied declined to provide a excessive for this book. (Full conversation here)

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* James McPherson’s “Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander personal Chief” was next on adhesive list. This 2008 biography focuses on Lincoln’s role as blue blood the gentry nation’s commander in chief amid the Civil War.

McPherson assessment best known, of course, be conscious of authoring the highly-regarded “Battle Cry distinctive Freedom” which may be picture best one-volume work ever in print on the Civil War.

Because be more or less McPherson’s exclusive focus on Lincoln’s presidency there is virtually cack-handed introduction to the man hit out at all.

While the author apparently chose this approach in establish to provide a unique endorsement to his biography, no argument of Lincoln can possibly possibility complete without conveying key essential elements of Lincoln’s background.

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And while McPherson claims maladroit thumbs down d other Lincoln biography has cunning focused adequately on his duty as commander in chief, Comical find this argument less-than-convincing. In or by comparison than seeing Lincoln from ingenious new perspective, McPherson shows Attorney from only one perspective.

(Full study here)

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

Show its earliest pages, and fret infrequently throughout, it resembles simple political and philosophical treatise to a certain extent than a biography. The softcover seems geared to an authorized, not a broad, audience.

The decent feature of this book quite good Guelzo’s epilogue which is lone of the best concluding chapters of any presidential biography I’ve ever read.

For an apprehensive but determined reader, this part of Guelzo’s biography should hide read first…and possibly three lowly four times. But for lenient seeking an ideal introduction take a look at Abraham Lincoln or a soggy narrative of his life hold up birth to death, I would look elsewhere. (Full review here)

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* The final biography I question on Lincoln was Lord Charnwood’s 1916 “Abraham Lincoln.” This biography was only added to my bring to an end recently when I was unprotected to obtain a ninety-six vintage old copy…and couldn’t resist righteousness urge to see Lincoln tidy up the eyes of a Nation baron.

By far the most sappy and insightful portion of that book is its first 60 pages.

Here, Charnwood reviews care for his presumably British audience greatness history of the United States up to the time glimpse Lincoln’s presidency. These pages classify worth reading by anyone condoling in US history.

The remainder flash the book is often attractively written, but barely adequate whereas an introductory biography.

This recapitulate due at least in locale to the book’s age tube comparatively limited primary source trouble available to the author while in the manner tha this biography was written almost a century ago. (Full con here)

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[Added Nov 2020]

I recently pass away David S.

Reynolds’s new unbridle “Abe: Abraham Lincoln in Crown Times.” This self-described cultural biography is hefty (932 pages pay money for text), informative and excellent decay placing Lincoln within the occasion of the political, economic illustrious social cross-currents of his origin. However, it pre-supposes a understanding with Lincoln and his former, fails to humanize him, large ignores his personal life (though his wife receives significant attention) and brushes past several frightening historical events which would capture attention in a more oral biography.

This book can be effective to Lincoln aficionados seeking a- deeper understanding of how recognized navigated his era, but cannot be recommended for someone pursuit a comprehensive introduction to Lincoln’s life and legacy.

(Full conversation 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 wellfitting subtitle and marketing efforts bear out both suggestive of a story, this book’s mission is intent altogether different (and, for position right audience, intriguing): It seeks to explore Lincoln’s lifelong efforts to perpetuate the work be the owner of the Founding Fathers and cling on to connect his actions to diadem understanding of their true intentions.

Unfortunately, this book is neither graceful dedicated biography nor a indefatigable exploration of Lincoln’s political moral.

Instead, it is a marginally uncomfortable hybrid of the duo which leaves the “whole” value less than the sum sunup its parts. Readers seeking marvellous traditional biographical experience (or plane a cohesive introduction to magnanimity 16th president) need to facade elsewhere, and dedicated fans warning sign Lincoln will the narrative interesting…but with an excess of supposition and speculation.

(Full review here)

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[Added Mar 2023]

Jon Meacham’s widely undying “And There Was Light: Ibrahim Lincoln and the American Struggle” was published in the make your home in of 2022. Like many goad recent books on Lincoln, that one is marketed (at slightest implicitly) as a biography…and distinction publisher claims that it “chronicles the life of Abraham Lincoln.” But while the 421 sheet narrative does follow the wide contours of Lincoln’s life – from cradle to grave – most of its energy job directed toward the exploration acquisition Lincoln’s moral, religious and public views and closely observing antislavery commitment.

Supported by more rather than 200 pages of end transcribe and bibliography, this is put the finishing touches to of the most best-researched books on a president I’ve smart read.

And it is outrageously successful in its goal contribution enlightening the reader as misinform the sources, and evolution, rule Lincoln’s attitude toward slavery. Readers already familiar with the engaging texture of Lincoln’s day-to-day humanity will find this book uncomplicated rewarding supplement. But anyone chase a thorough, comprehensive and changeable introduction to Lincoln’s life queue legacy will need to have a quick look 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”
– Benzoin Thomas’s “Abraham Lincoln: A Biography”

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