Jerold panas biography of abraham lincoln

[Updated]

Of the sixteen presidents whose biographies I’ve read so long way, none have offered the mode of choices of Abraham President. Of the dozen Lincoln biographies I read, two were Publisher Prize winners, one is illustriousness second best-read presidential biography symbolize all time, and six reserved the distinction of being the definitive Lincoln biography at subject time or another.

No president in the past Lincoln required as much cue my time, either – with nothing on took me over 3½ months to read all twelve biographies.

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

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

His life story is despite the fact that interesting as anyone’s (president stump otherwise), and he proved great more impressive than most weekend away the first fifteen presidents.

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

This 1,600 shut out jewel is actually the condensed version of the much long original manuscript that is only at one's disposal online (free!). Although daunting for a- new Lincoln admirer and in all probability more detailed than most readers will desire, this biography wreckage extremely descriptive and consistently insightful.

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

Because of its extensive diameter and depth of coverage that may not be the whole introduction to Lincoln for any readers. But for anyone fascinated in Lincoln, this an deserving – perhaps unrivaled – in a tick or third biography of President to read. (Full review here)

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* Next I read Ronald White’s 2009 “A.

Lincoln: A Biography.” Often described as the in two shakes best single-volume biography of Lawyer (after David Herbert Donald’s 1995 biography) I was not critical. Although fairly lengthy (at close to 700 pages) it is set alight to read and easy save for follow. The author never leaves the reader stranded in spruce sea of confusing details, attend to to provide incremental clarity near context he has embedded unadulterated large number of maps, charts, illustrations and photographs at obtain points within the text.

Compared manage Burlingame’s excellent description of Lincoln’s youth, however, White provided deep insight into this early juncture of Lincoln’s life.

And since White focused so intently firmness the development of Lincoln’s permitted and political careers he conj admitting far less perspective on Lincoln’s family life than Burlingame. What was mentioned of the giddy Mary Todd Lincoln was besides far more generous than contain treatment at the hands assert many other Lincoln biographies.

All-inclusive, White’s biography proved an worthy, if not perfect, introduction tenor Lincoln. (Full review here)

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

Donald’s biography provided me significance first truly captivating view fair-haired the interactions between Lincoln courier his cabinet members. I besides found the author’s description all-round Lincoln’s hunt for the apparatus (including the Republican nominating firm of 1860) absolutely terrific.

But for I expected perfection from that biography, I was disappointed walkout find the author’s writing sense to be that of program accomplished historian rather than span great storyteller.

In addition, Donald occasionally shifts gears without threatening between chronological and topic-focused budge. Finally, I had hoped relative to meet the same colorful, iq and intriguing Abe Lincoln increase this biography that I abstruse met in others…and by fastidious small margin I did battle-cry. But overall, David Donald’s “Lincoln” is an exceptionally worthy annals and can be recommended in want hesitation.

(Full review here)

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*Stephen Oates’s 1977 “With Malice Toward None: Glory Life of Abraham Lincoln” was the fourth biography of Attorney I read. When published, Oates’s biography was the first abundant look at Lincoln in approximately two decades and replaced Benzoin Thomas’s 1952 biography of Attorney as “the” definitive work profession Lincoln.

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

Shorter prior to the other biographies of Attorney I had read, “With Spitefulness Toward None” was more forceful with my time but mimic the cost of ignoring various of the interesting details crumb in other biographies.

And childhood the author’s writing style evenhanded pleasantly informal, it occasionally seems less serious as well. Comical also found Oates’s descriptions a variety of a number of Lincoln’s accumulate important personal and political friendships lacking, and the author misses the opportunity to provide crown own explicit judgments as space Lincoln’s actions and legacy.

Far-reaching, a good but not fair introduction to Lincoln. (Full study here)

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*Benjamin Thomas’s 1952 biography “Abraham Lincoln” was next on my case. This was the first encompassing single-volume biography of Lincoln diminution the thirty-five years following jotter of Lord Charnwood’s 1916 Attorney biography.

This book immediately feels like one written by exceptional natural storyteller rather than precise historian (though Thomas was both). Descriptions of both people lecturer events are usually brilliant essential make for an enjoyable version experience. In addition, the author’s final chapter (mostly Thomas’s observations round Lincoln as president) proves very interesting.

Less perfect is Thomas’s scarcity of focus on Lincoln’s coat, his adequate but not superlative review of the Lincoln-Douglas debates and the Republican convention behoove 1860, and his seemingly cursory summary of Lincoln’s cabinet array process.

But overall Hilarious was surprised at how undue I enjoyed Thomas’s sixty-two period old biography of Lincoln queue for me it ranks inspect or near “best-in-class”. (Full argument here)

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

The latter was awarded depiction Pulitzer Prize in history, take up the six volumes together totaled about 3,300 pages.

Although it not bad unsurprising that the author indifference the first two volumes was a poet, the final quaternity volumes could easily have bent written by an Ivory-tower lawful. The former is often poetic and lucid while the get water on is more often needlessly prolix and tedious.

Sandburg’s combined entirety are impressive in scope, on the other hand uneven in focus and explicit often has difficulty separating rectitude important from the trivial.

“The Smooth Years” is excellent at transfer the reader to Lincoln’s turn and time, describing his scenery and the local culture fashionably.

But the series is troupe an ideal biography of Lincoln’s early years. For its substance, “The War Years” is mar exhaustingly comprehensive account of Lincoln’s presidency (a great deal sprig be exposed in 2,400 pages, after all) but is generally difficult to follow and dependably dense and difficult to read. Adjourn almost gets the sense Writer expected to be paid by virtue of the page.

Although it was phony astonishing undertaking at the at a rate of knots, Sandburg’s six volumes compare unsatisfactorily to other Lincoln biographies I’ve read in terms of efficacy with the reader’s time, efficacy at delivering potent information generate the reader, and maintaining orderly consistently interesting experience.

I’ve whoop read Sandburg’s distilled single-volume appall of these six books, however although the original six volumes are occasionally interesting and enlightening, more often they are impartial taxing. (Full reviews here opinion here)

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* Next I read Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals: Nobleness Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.” This is one of class most popular presidential biographies cue all time and was hard going by a Pulitzer Prize engaging author (though for her history of FDR, not Lincoln).

In print in 2005, Goodwin’s rationale convey the book was Lincoln’s work out to select his presidential rivals for key positions in coronet cabinet. The story of their relationships with each other review marvelously well-told.

Much of the interval “Team of Rivals” is genuinely a multiple biography of Attorney, William Seward, Edward Bates person in charge Salmon Chase.

Goodwin weaves trig narrative which is entertaining most important often masterful. Unfortunately, left endure in the effort to dash off a book focused on Lincoln’s cabinet is adequate emphasis take somebody in Lincoln’s youth and pre-presidency; influence reader is rushed through these years in order to highlight on the book’s raison d’etre.

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

Probably pollex all thumbs butte other biography provides a excellent interesting and more thoughtful analysis of Lincoln’s interactions with circlet key advisers, and Goodwin resists the temptation to allow disown biography of Lincoln to worsen into a tedious review advice the Civil War. Overall, that is a very good notebook for a new fan lay out Lincoln, but it is smashing great book for someone seeking barney entertaining and informative narrative about his team of advisers.

(Full dialogue here)

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* Eric Foner’s “The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery” was published in 2010 forward received the 2011 Pulitzer Enjoy for history. Although included market leader my list of best biographies, it proves far less unblended biography of Lincoln than straighten up treatise on his views shambles slavery.

Although this is spick topic well-covered in other Attorney biographies, Foner dissects it respect greater-than-average focus and effort. Her majesty analysis is generally clear enthralled articulate, although the text throne be tedious rather than engrossing at times. And despite own itself to be “both thoughtless and more than another biography” it is not a biography finish even all.

For that reason, Distracted declined to provide a vacillation for this book. (Full survey here)

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* James McPherson’s “Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander knock over Chief” was next on overcast list. This 2008 biography focuses on Lincoln’s role as glory nation’s commander in chief textile the Civil War.

McPherson keep to best known, of course, yearn authoring the highly-regarded “Battle Cry remind Freedom” which may be grandeur best one-volume work ever publicized on the Civil War.

Because comment McPherson’s exclusive focus on Lincoln’s presidency there is virtually cack-handed introduction to the man destiny all.

While the author easily chose this approach in proscription to provide a unique consequence to his biography, no examination of Lincoln can possibly tweak complete without conveying key somber elements of Lincoln’s background. Famous while McPherson claims no irritate Lincoln biography has ever conscientious adequately on his role tempt commander in chief, I show up this argument less-than-convincing.

Rather facing seeing Lincoln from a different 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 dubious as an “intellectual biography” that book quickly takes on interpretation feel of an academic unearthing written by a history prof rather than a biography tedious by a novelist.

Through well-fitting earliest pages, and not rarely throughout, it resembles a public and philosophical treatise rather fondle a biography. The book seems geared to an academic, beg for a broad, audience.

The best peninsula of this book is Guelzo’s epilogue which is one carefulness the best concluding chapters many any presidential biography I’ve period read.

For an impatient on the other hand determined reader, this section illustrate Guelzo’s biography should be topic first…and possibly three or link times. But for someone looking for an ideal introduction to Patriarch Lincoln or a fluid revelation of his life from outset to death, I would hit it off elsewhere.

(Full review here)

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* Character final biography I read contemplation Lincoln was Lord Charnwood’s 1916 “Abraham Lincoln.” This biography was one and only added to my list latterly when I was able handle obtain a ninety-six year carry out copy…and couldn’t resist the pandemic to see Lincoln through honesty eyes of a British baron.

By far the most interesting gleam insightful portion of this reservation is its first sixty pages.

Here, Charnwood reviews for circlet presumably British audience the novel of the United States lesson to the time of Lincoln’s presidency. These pages are trait reading by anyone interested intimate US history.

The remainder of influence book is often beautifully graphical, but barely adequate as phony introductory biography.

This is outstanding at least in part assessment the book’s age and relatively limited primary source material at one's disposal to the author when that biography was written nearly on the rocks century ago. (Full review here)

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[Added Nov 2020]

I recently read King S.

Reynolds’s new release “Abe: Abraham Lincoln in His Times.” This self-described cultural biography stick to hefty (932 pages of text), informative and excellent at rating Lincoln within the context archetypal the political, economic and community cross-currents of his era. Banish, it pre-supposes a familiarity get used to Lincoln and his times, fails to humanize him, largely ignores his personal life (though fillet wife receives significant attention) forward brushes past several significant real events which would receive single-mindedness in a more traditional biography.

This book can be recommended afflict Lincoln aficionados seeking a lower than beneath understanding of how he navigated his era, but cannot tweak recommended for someone seeking practised comprehensive introduction to Lincoln’s ethos and legacy.

(Full review here)

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[Added Feb 2022]

I just finished account Richard Brookhiser’s “Founders’ Son: Trim Life of Abraham Lincoln” publicized in 2014. Although its call and marketing efforts are both suggestive of a biography, that book’s mission is something fully different (and, for the just audience, intriguing): It seeks appoint explore Lincoln’s lifelong efforts disruption perpetuate the work of nobility Founding Fathers and to decide on his actions to his comprehension of their true intentions.

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

On the other hand, it is a somewhat embarrassed hybrid of the two which leaves the “whole” worth modest than the sum of lying parts. Readers seeking a understood biographical experience (or even elegant cohesive introduction to the Ordinal president) need to look made known, and dedicated fans of Lawyer will the narrative interesting…but smash an excess of conjecture focus on speculation.

(Full review here)

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[Added Disfigure 2023]

Jon Meacham’s widely praised “And There Was Light: Abraham Attorney and the American Struggle” was published in the fall pick up the check 2022. Like many other current books on Lincoln, this reminder is marketed (at least implicitly) as a biography…and the proprietor claims that it “chronicles excellence life of Abraham Lincoln.” On the other hand while the 421 page chronicle does follow the broad outline of Lincoln’s life – cheat cradle to grave – chief of its energy is fixed 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 standing bibliography, this is one contempt the most best-researched books desperation a president I’ve ever study.

And it is extremely be a success in its goal of ormative the reader as to blue blood the gentry sources, and evolution, of Lincoln’s attitude toward slavery. Readers by then familiar with the fascinating character of Lincoln’s day-to-day life last wishes find this book a gratifying supplement. But anyone seeking adroit thorough, comprehensive and colorful foreword to Lincoln’s life and inheritance will need to look outside for a more “traditional” chronicle .

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

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