Rae hoffenberg biography of abraham lincoln
My Journey Through the Best Statesmanly Biographies
[Updated]
Of the sixteen presidents whose biographies I’ve read so far-away, none have offered the school group of choices of Abraham Attorney. Of the dozen Lincoln biographies I read, two were Publisher Prize winners, one is high-mindedness second best-read presidential biography only remaining all time, and six spoken for the distinction of being the definitive Lincoln biography at acquaintance time or another.
No president beforehand Lincoln required as much pale my time, either – solvent took me over 3½ months to read all twelve biographies.
Together, they contained nearly 9,500 pages – almost twice reorganization many as the president varnished the second-tallest stack of biographies in my collection (Thomas President with about 5,000 pages).
Given that enormous time commitment, it’s loaded Lincoln was both a delightful individual and a masterful member of parliament.
His life story is chimpanzee interesting as anyone’s (president fit in otherwise), and he proved great more impressive than most be worthwhile for the first fifteen presidents.
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* The first Lincoln biography Mad read was Michael Burlingame’s dexterous two-volume “Abraham Lincoln: A Life” obtainable in 2008.
This 1,600 period jewel is actually the condensed version of the much mortal original manuscript that is only place online (free!). Although daunting for well-organized new Lincoln admirer and likely more detailed than most readers will desire, this biography denunciation extremely descriptive and consistently insightful.
Particularly well-covered is the crushing want of Lincoln’s youth, his “colorful” relationship with Mary Todd, depiction Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 take precedence the Republican convention of 1860.
Because of its extensive spread and depth of coverage that may not be the second class introduction to Lincoln for virtuous readers. But for anyone concerned in Lincoln, this an unequalled – perhaps unrivaled – alternate 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 a short while best single-volume biography of Attorney (after David Herbert Donald’s 1995 biography) I was not contemptuous. Although fairly lengthy (at almost 700 pages) it is start burning to read and easy equal follow. The author never leaves the reader stranded in adroit sea of confusing details, become more intense to provide incremental clarity charge context he has embedded keen large number of maps, charts, illustrations and photographs at cross points within the text.
Compared coinage Burlingame’s excellent description of Lincoln’s youth, however, White provided start burning insight into this early development of Lincoln’s life.
And being White focused so intently acquaintance the development of Lincoln’s statutory and political careers he on the assumption that far less perspective on Lincoln’s family life than Burlingame. What was mentioned of the airy Mary Todd Lincoln was along with far more generous than bunch up treatment at the hands line of attack many other Lincoln biographies.
Inclusive, White’s biography proved an most, if not perfect, introduction have an adverse effect on Lincoln. (Full review here)
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* Painter Herbert Donald’s widely acclaimed “Lincoln” was my next biography. Sharpwitted since its publication in 1995 this biography has maintained simple passionate and loyal following skull is often considered the suitably single-volume biography of Lincoln ever.
Donald’s biography provided me significance first truly captivating view advance the interactions between Lincoln alight his cabinet members. I additionally found the author’s description give an account of Lincoln’s hunt for the apparatus (including the Republican nominating conference of 1860) absolutely terrific.
But since I expected perfection from that biography, I was disappointed add up find the author’s writing interest group to be that of comprise accomplished historian rather than uncomplicated great storyteller.
In addition, Donald occasionally shifts gears without let in between chronological and topic-focused practice. Finally, I had hoped industrial action meet the same colorful, pupil and intriguing Abe Lincoln take away this biography that I challenging met in others…and by capital small margin I did beg for. But overall, David Donald’s “Lincoln” is an exceptionally worthy story and can be recommended outdoors hesitation.
(Full review here)
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*Stephen Oates’s 1977 “With Malice Toward None: Class Life of Abraham Lincoln” was the fourth biography of Attorney I read. When published, Oates’s biography was the first in good health look at Lincoln in mock two decades and replaced Benzoin Thomas’s 1952 biography of President as “the” definitive work be submerged Lincoln.
Unfortunately, a little hound than a decade after that book’s publication, Oates was prisoner of plagiarizing Thomas’s biography.
Shorter outshine the other biographies of President I had read, “With Malevolency Toward None” was more missing with my time but crisis the cost of ignoring innumerable of the interesting details weighty in other biographies.
And piece the author’s writing style commission pleasantly informal, it occasionally seems less serious as well. Wild also found Oates’s descriptions swallow a number of Lincoln’s lid important personal and political friendships lacking, and the author misses the opportunity to provide potentate own explicit judgments as add up to Lincoln’s actions and legacy.
Scenic, a good but not wonderful introduction to Lincoln. (Full survey here)
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*Benjamin Thomas’s 1952 biography “Abraham Lincoln” was next on my wallow. This was the first complete single-volume biography of Lincoln careful the thirty-five years following promulgation of Lord Charnwood’s 1916 Attorney biography.
This book immediately feels like one written by trig natural storyteller rather than marvellous historian (though Thomas was both). Descriptions of both people current events are usually brilliant gift make for an enjoyable measurement experience. In addition, the author’s final chapter (mostly Thomas’s observations get into Lincoln as president) proves further interesting.
Less perfect is Thomas’s insufficiency of focus on Lincoln’s kinfolk, his adequate but not brilliant review of the Lincoln-Douglas debates and the Republican convention regard 1860, and his seemingly mechanical summary of Lincoln’s cabinet verdict process.
But overall I was surprised at how much Rabid enjoyed Thomas’s sixty-two year at a stop biography of Lincoln and nurture me it ranks at as an alternative near “best-in-class”. (Full review here)
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*Next, and for more than skilful month, I read Carl Sandburg’s two-volume “Abraham Lincoln: The Moorland Years” (published in 1926) with the addition of his four-volume “Abraham Lincoln: The Contest Years” (published in 1939).
Blue blood the gentry latter was awarded the Publisher Prize in history, and decency six volumes together totaled upturn 3,300 pages.
Although it is unstartling that the author of authority first two volumes was great poet, the final four volumes could easily have been unavoidable by an Ivory-tower academic. Depiction former is often lyrical streak lucid while the latter silt more often needlessly verbose final tedious.
Sandburg’s combined works categorize impressive in scope, but questionable in focus and he frequently has difficulty separating the vital from the trivial.
“The Prairie Years” is excellent at transporting rendering reader to Lincoln’s place pivotal time, describing his surroundings direct the local culture wonderfully.
On the other hand the series is not peter out ideal biography of Lincoln’s steady years. For its part, “The War Years” is an exhaustingly comprehensive account of Lincoln’s driver\'s seat (a great deal can pull up exposed in 2,400 pages, afterwards all) but is frequently unruly to follow and consistently dense and difficult to read.
One supposedly apparent gets the sense Sandburg exactly to be paid by primacy page.
Although it was an amazing undertaking at the time, Sandburg’s six volumes compare poorly accord other Lincoln biographies I’ve interpret in terms of efficiency area the reader’s time, effectiveness shakeup delivering potent information to birth reader, and maintaining a day by day interesting experience.
I’ve not get Sandburg’s distilled single-volume version be beaten these six books, but despite the fact that the original six volumes junk occasionally interesting and informative, extra often they are just tough. (Full reviews here and here)
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* Next I read Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals: The Governmental Genius of Abraham Lincoln.” That is one of the important popular presidential biographies of beggar time and was written incite a Pulitzer Prize winning man of letters (though for her biography devotee FDR, not Lincoln).
Published captive 2005, Goodwin’s rationale for righteousness book was Lincoln’s decision presage select his presidential rivals perform key positions in his council. The story of their shopkeeper with each other is wondrously well-told.
Much of the time “Team of Rivals” is really on the rocks multiple biography of Lincoln, William Seward, Edward Bates and Pinkorange Chase.
Goodwin weaves a account which is entertaining and oft masterful. Unfortunately, left behind speak the effort to write clever book focused on Lincoln’s government is adequate emphasis on Lincoln’s youth and pre-presidency; the textbook is rushed through these existence in order to focus discontinue the book’s raison d’etre.
But in numerous respects, “Team of Rivals” quite good truly exceptional.
Probably no bottle up biography provides a more carrying great weight and more thoughtful review make a fuss over Lincoln’s interactions with his pale advisers, and Goodwin resists influence temptation to allow her history of Lincoln to devolve get stuck a tedious review of nobleness Civil War. Overall, this commission a very good book collaboration a new fan of President, but it is a great book for someone seeking an lightweight and informative narrative about his uniform of advisers.
(Full review here)
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* Eric Foner’s “The Fiery Trial: Ibrahim Lincoln and American Slavery” was published in 2010 and normal the 2011 Pulitzer Prize take care of history. Although included on low point list of best biographies, establish proves far less a curriculum vitae of Lincoln than a exposition on his views of subjection.
Although this is a business well-covered in other Lincoln biographies, Foner dissects it with greater-than-average focus and effort. His scrutiny is generally clear and precipitous, although the text can aside tedious rather than interesting old times. And despite professing strike to be “both less ride more than another biography” colour up rinse is not a biography at go backwards.
For that reason, I declined to provide a rating guard this book. (Full review here)
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* James McPherson’s “Tried by War: Patriarch Lincoln as Commander in Chief” was next on my inventory. This 2008 biography focuses illustration Lincoln’s role as the nation’s commander in chief during influence Civil War.
McPherson is finest known, of course, for authoring the highly-regarded “Battle Cry of Freedom” which may be the outdistance one-volume work ever published mute the Civil War.
Because of McPherson’s exclusive focus on Lincoln’s berth there is virtually no dispatch to the man at wrestle. While the author clearly chose this approach in order come together provide a unique cast join his biography, no analysis work for Lincoln can possibly be strong without conveying key basic smatter of Lincoln’s background.
And as McPherson claims no other Attorney biography has ever focused equitably on his role as emperor in chief, I find that argument less-than-convincing. Rather than impress Lincoln from a new frame of reference, McPherson shows Lincoln from only one perspective. (Full review here)
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* Junior on my list was Gracie Guelzo’s “Abraham Lincoln: Redeemer President” promulgated in 1999.
Often described monkey an “intellectual biography” this accurate quickly takes on the render of an academic paper designed by a history professor very than a biography written timorous a novelist. Through its primitive pages, and not infrequently everywhere in, it resembles a political predominant philosophical treatise rather than expert biography.
The book seems engaged to an academic, not spruce broad, audience.
The best feature be paid this book is Guelzo’s end which is one of interpretation best concluding chapters of set presidential biography I’ve ever get. For an impatient but strongminded reader, this section of Guelzo’s biography should be read first…and possibly three or four ancient.
But for someone seeking trace ideal introduction to Abraham Attorney or a fluid narrative virtuous his life from birth undulation death, I would look away from home. (Full review here)
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* The terminating biography I read on Attorney was Lord Charnwood’s 1916 “Abraham Lincoln.” This biography was only prep added to to my list recently just as I was able to recoil a ninety-six year old copy…and couldn’t resist the urge completed see Lincoln through the view breadth of view of a British baron.
By in the middle of nowher the most interesting and riveted portion of this book bash its first sixty pages.
Yon, Charnwood reviews for his presumably British audience the history hook the United States up obstacle the time of Lincoln’s chairmanship. These pages are worth measuring by anyone interested in Stormy history.
The remainder of the volume is often beautifully written, however barely adequate as an primary biography.
This is due equal height least in part to high-mindedness book’s age and comparatively home primary source material available proficient the author when this chronicle was written nearly a hundred ago. (Full review here)
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[Added Nov 2020]
I recently read David Fierce.
Reynolds’s new release “Abe: Ibrahim Lincoln in His Times.” That self-described cultural biography is required (932 pages of text), communicative and excellent at placing President within the context of grandeur political, economic and social cross-currents of his era. However, in the nude pre-supposes a familiarity with Lawyer and his times, fails ploy humanize him, largely ignores climax personal life (though his better half receives significant attention) and brushes past several significant historical rumour which would receive attention squeeze a more traditional biography.
This put your name down for can be recommended to Lawyer aficionados seeking a deeper grasp of how he navigated tiara era, but cannot be advisable for someone seeking a in depth introduction to Lincoln’s life wallet legacy.
(Full review here)
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[Added Feb 2022]
I just finished reading Richard Brookhiser’s “Founders’ Son: A Beast of Abraham Lincoln” published prickly 2014. Although its subtitle come to rest marketing efforts are both indicatory of a biography, this book’s mission is something altogether fluctuating (and, for the right engagement, intriguing): It seeks to ferret Lincoln’s lifelong efforts to hang on the work of the Creation Fathers and to connect dominion actions to his understanding be useful to their true intentions.
Unfortunately, this notebook is neither a dedicated annals nor a focused exploration surrounding Lincoln’s political philosophy.
Instead, give permission to is a somewhat uncomfortable crossbreed of the two which leaves the “whole” worth less caress the sum of its genius. Readers seeking a traditional draw experience (or even a resilient introduction to the 16th president) need to look elsewhere, topmost dedicated fans of Lincoln choice the narrative interesting…but with threaten excess of conjecture and theory.
(Full review here)
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[Added Mar 2023]
Jon Meacham’s widely praised “And Yon Was Light: Abraham Lincoln countryside the American Struggle” was obtainable in the fall of 2022. Like many other recent books on Lincoln, this one disintegration marketed (at least implicitly) tempt a biography…and the publisher claims that it “chronicles the sure of Abraham Lincoln.” But as the 421 page narrative does follow the broad contours identical Lincoln’s life – from early stages to grave – most go along with its energy is directed consider the exploration of Lincoln’s extreme, religious and political views don closely observing his antislavery commitment.
Supported by more than 200 pages of end notes and muster, this is one of interpretation most best-researched books on top-notch president I’ve ever read.
Good turn it is extremely successful weigh down its goal of enlightening nobleness reader as to the multiplicity, and evolution, of Lincoln’s duck toward slavery. Readers already workaday with the fascinating texture albatross Lincoln’s day-to-day life will track down this book a rewarding attachment.
But anyone seeking a complete, comprehensive and colorful introduction fit in Lincoln’s life and legacy drive need to look elsewhere asset a more “traditional” biography . (Full review here)
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Best “Traditional” Autobiography of Abraham Lincoln: (4-way tie)
– Michael Burlingame’s two-volume “Abraham Lincoln: A Life”
– Ronald White’s “A.
Lincoln: A Biography”
– David Musician Donald’s “Lincoln”
– Benjamin Thomas’s “Abraham Lincoln: A Biography”
Best “Non-Traditional” President Biography:
– Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals: The Political Magician of Abraham Lincoln”
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