Book Description

"This is the biography of Lincoln the world has been waiting for." -- Lewis Lehrman, in his February 2004 announcement awarding the Lincoln Prize

• Examines Lincoln's rise to power and his achievements as U.S. President
• Focus on relationship with evangelical Protestantism throws new light on Lincoln's presidency and power
• Topical and relevant with important parallels to be drawn to the U.S. presidency today - responsibility, rights and nationalism

Winner of the prestigious Lincoln Prize,Lincoln is the latest book in the popular Profiles in Power Series. In this book, Richard J. Carwardine examines Lincoln's rise to power and his achievements as president. He explores the wider sources of Lincoln's authority and skills in embracing a broad range of elements within the Republican Party. In particular, the book looks at Lincoln's shrewd relationship with evangelical Protestantism. His ability to harness and channel the power of the Protestant constituency was key to his winning the presidency ad rallying support behind his national and emancipatory vision.

Richard J. Carwardine is the Rhodes Professor of American History at Oxford University ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Best Book on Lincoln to Appear in Many Years
This clearly written book is by a true expert in the politics and history of the antebellum and Civil War eras. Carwardine, Rhodes Professor of American History at Oxford University, presents a balanced, thoughtful, well-informed treatment of Lincoln as a political leader, expertly placing him in the full context of his times. Carwardine is especially wise on the subject of Lincoln's religious beliefs and their influence on his words and conduct as president. This book is an outstanding work of history and interpretation, based on the best primary and secondary sources. ... Read more

Book Description

The third volume in the CREATORS OF THE AMERICAN MIND series, this text offers an approach to Lincoln and his place in American history that is as accurate as it is novel. Unlike texts that only serve to reinforce the mythology that has been built around this powerful individual, Baker's text presents him as a flesh-and-blood human being by providing primary documents authored by Lincoln himself. Complemented by works presented by Lincoln scholars who have studied him from a variety of historical perspectives, the book places Lincoln in historical context. From his rise through the ranks of nineteenth-century politicians to his posthumous elevation to a central place in American political mythology, this book explores the complete picture of Lincoln. ... Read more

Book Description

Ralph David Abernathy and Martin Luther King Jr. were inseparable and together helped to establish what would become the modern American Civil Rights Movement. They preached, marched, and were frequently jailed together. Donzaleigh Abernathy, Ralph’s youngest daughter, has written Partners to History as a testament to the courage, strength, and endurance of these men who stirred a nation with their moral fortitude. She also pays tribute to the thousands of unsung heroes—the other partners to this history—who were foot soldiers in the endless struggle for freedom, justice, and equality.This document captures in words and pictures how the dream of two visionaries changed the course of American history and inspired the world.

Partners to History is a unique look at a troubling time, and its usage of dramatic—and personal—photographs, combined with the voices of King and Abernathy, seamlessly conveys the fears, frustrations, and pain of the long days and nights spent planning the many crusades. Donzaleigh Abernathy’s recollections provide personal insight from someone who lived through the tumult and witnessed firsthand the relationship of these lifelong friends. “People didn’t know Daddy and Uncle Martin,” she writes. “They know the legends.They don’t know the fathers, the husbands, the men, the human beings. I feel obliged to tell the beautiful stories of these beautiful men I lived with and loved.”

Chronicling the crucial events of the movement, from the early strategy sessions in the homes of integrationists and the Montgomery Bus Boycott to Birmingham, the Freedom Riders, and the March on Washington, the author provides a unique insider’s perspective. With heart-wrenching precision, she lays bare the horrifying deaths of four little girls in the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church and follows the search for three murdered civil rights workers in Philadelphia, Mississippi. She goes behind the scenes to the intimate moments and reveals the determination of two families caught up in the fight for equal rights.

King and Abernathy believed in a cause and laid their lives on the line time and time again, knowing deep in their hearts that they were working not only for their people, but for the good of all humankind. When, on April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, Ralph David Abernathy vowed to persevere and continue their dream, knowing that people could not be free until the walls came tumbling down.

Inspirational and beautifully illustrated, Partners to History reveals the remarkable relationship between two great leaders and serves as a reminder and tribute to this tumultuous era. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

An incredibly BEAUTIFUL book!!!!!!!!
This is a book that every young adult and adults should have on their coffee table!!! Never before seen pictures and told through the eyes of a child through the civil rights movement this book is a refreshing, new insight that is a fast paced read!! A book to revist again and again!!!!!

Absolutely marvelous!!!!!!
Partners to History is a beautifully written and illustrated story of the Civil Rights Movement, its unsung heroes, its celebrated heroes, and the American struggle for freedom and peace. It is imperative that educational institutions with quality American history programs have this masterful work of historical literature on its shelves.

Carla Newsome McManus
Sisters and Brothers of HotLanta Book Club
http://www.sistersbrothers.com

Absolute marvelous!!!!!!!
Partners to History is a beautifully written and illustrated story of the Civil Rights Movement, its unsung heroes, its celebrated heroes, and the struggle for freedom in America. It is imperative that any school with a quality American history program have this masterful work of historic literature on its shelves.

Carla Newsome McManus
President
Sisters and Brothers of HotLanta Book Club
http://www.sistersbrothers.com

Excellent
This book is a must have. I think it should be in all public schools. The writer tells a beautiful story about the Civil Rights Movement. The pictures are fantastic while we have all seen pictures of the Movement, these pictures tell a story. Great Job !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Extremely Powerful !!!
These images are worth more than 1 million words. They speak the truth with clarity that is rarely achieved in a discourse about race in America. This is American history in its true form. A great editing job and choice of photos.

THIS IS A CLASSIC HISTORY LESSON ... Read more

Book Description

Originally published in six volumes, Sandburg's Abraham Lincoln was called "the greatest historical biography of our generation." Sandburg distilled this work into one volume that became the definitive life of Lincoln. Index; photographs.
... Read more

Reviews (6)

A Thorough and Artistic Teatment
Abraham Lincoln comes to life through the words of his devoted and talented biographer, Carl Sandburg. This edition is an excellent compromise between Sandburg's six-volume edition and the shorter, incomplete texts that abound regarding Lincoln. Take your time with this masterpiece and follow Lincoln from youth through the climax of his political career in Washington.

definitive Lincoln by one of America's best
Thousands upon thousands of Civil War books are available, as American readers seem to have a limitless appetite for that era. If you are looking for the best, read Sandburg on Lincoln. A major American poet takes on one of the best-known, best-loved, most tragic of American historical figures.

When I was a freshman in high school, our English teacher offered us a deal: Anyone who read Sandburg's biography (then in six rather daunting volumes) would not have to attend class for a semester. I took him up on that offer, and was blessed to find my way through Sandburg's gift to the American people. Here is the highly detailed, thoroughly researched, and articulately written story of Abe Lincoln's years among us.

If you have time to read only one of the Civil War books from that burgeoning genre, read this one. You will come to know, from the inside out, this prairie boy who became a towering figure in American history.

A Pulitzer Prize winner's master work.
I believe Sandburg is the only author to win the Pulitzer for both poetry and history. Originally a multi volume history taking decades to complete, this single volume work is an appetizer. I read it in the 1960's and went on with relish to the full multi volume work.

This single volume is insightful, laser like in it's detail yet painting the times of Lincoln in a broad and beautiful brush. Did you know that in 1860 tools could be honed to within one ten thousandth of an inch of accuracy? That magazines and newspapers said the world would change for-ever because of the new "instant" communication nation wide?

This is more than biography. It is a woven fabric depicting the times and life of Abraham Lincoln.

An American Classic on a Classic American
I collect old and rare books. My mother bought me a copy of Sandburg's one-volume edition published in 1954. Honestly, it was slow to start, but once it got to the 1850's, I couldn't put it down. Lincoln's deeds are so often trivialized in our history books. But Sandburg meticulously builds up the background in a way that forces his reader to appreciate the magnitude of the moment, and the importance of each decision--whether right or wrong--that President Lincoln made. It easily took three full weeks to read, but it was more than worth it. I closed the book thinking, "I can't believe it's over!" My advice: Read this book right away, and make someone else read it too. You'll need someone to talk to when you're through!

Lots of facts to chew on and not a book to be taken lightly.
This biography of lincoln is an unbiased look into the man's life. You'll find everything you would expect and much, much, more. This is not a book for the weak hearted reader. Many of the sections seem to be endless. This is not however a negative, the opposite is true. Sandburg's quest for a truly indepth redering of the Lincoln story creates these long spells and the pay off is just. Much of the humor in the book is dated and therefore will be lost on many readers. Once again, an outstanding book that gets an easy 5 stars. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Junk
This book was nothing more than an attempt to capitalize on John Lennon's death. The man who killed John Lennon wanted this book to try and further his spotlight.

I started to read this book and realized this after I realized it was telling me nothing. I suggest turning you back on this kind of gross attempt at fame and fortune.

Excellent
It was entertaining and extremely informative. I really cannot say enough good things about this book. What I love is that most text in the book is dialogue taken from interviews with MD Chapman, and you really get a chance to know him through his words. Terrific. You see an emotional, logical, artistic, and human side of him.

A Not a Nobody Book
It hurts me a bit to read that Chapman was a nice guy, appreciated for some of the things he did. A picture even shows him playing a "guitar during a meeting of his prayer group from the Chapel Woods Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Georgia." Someone who was six years old when Chapman shot John Lennon in 1980 would have been 18 in 1992, when this book was published, and decided to remain a nobody in American society, could have been 25 in 1999 and taken part in the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. A real nobody wouldn't have known that the bombs were falling on an embassy, and nobody would really be held responsible, either, because everybody wants to maintain their rights to be nobody. The frightening thing about this book is its consideration of options for anyone to be somebody in a global society which encompasses millions of people in the United States and billions in the world. There are pages in this book about drug use. Is this book the reason that so many more people in our prisons are serving time for drugs than back in 1980, when some people were surprised that John Lennon was shot?

Nothing Is Real
This book is not necessarily one for Lennon fans, and I can imagine that plenty would avoid it because they can't forgive Chapman for what he did.

However, the story that unfolds helps to explain why Chapman did what he did, and is a chilling examination of an unsound mind. It is also compelling evidence why handgun law reform is essential, and Lennon's death is a perfect example of what can happen when madmen can buy a gun and carry it around.

Don't judge the book by its subject..judge it by the fact that it is a superbly written explanation of why a tragedy happened.

Would it hurt just to have the book IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER??
I mean really. Going from Chapmen's past, the present, the past, its giving me a headache when i try to read this thing. Go read Who killeD John Lennon if your desprate for Chapmen's life, but please dont read this book. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Inspiring story of a legendary flight
In this book, Charles Lindbergh tells us the story of his flight from New York to Paris, one of the great milestone flights in aviation history. It covers the venture in its entirety, from the moment the idea of trying out for the $25,000 Orteig Prize (offered to the pilot who would complete the first successful New York-Paris flight) occurred to him, on a routine night mail flight, to the final, triumphant landing at Le Bourget. The "Lucky Lindy" moniker nonwithstanding, Lindbergh comes across as the exact opposite of the popular idea of the daredevil pilot. He was a meticulous planner who knew only too well the difference between courage and recklessness. Step by step, with determination and common sense, he got together the financial backing necessary for the venture, and achieved the goal he had set for himself in the face of stiff competition from other, more experienced pilots. Lindbergh has the teacher's gift of explaining things in simple and clear language, so that even a reader who has no knowledge of aviation learns quite a bit about the technical side of flying, especially in the part about his close collaboration with Ryan Airlines in the design of his plane, the Spirit of St. Louis. Throughout the book and especially during the long hours of the flight itself, he includes reminiscings about his father's farm and his days as a barnstorming pilot, flying cadet, flight instructor, air mail pilot, stunt flier, wing-walker, and parachutist. One really is taken back to the days when aviation was still in its experimental stages. The Spirit of St. Louis is a great choice if you have an interest in the early days of aviation or just would like to read an inspiring story about how a man set about fulfilling a dream--and succeeded.

A Compelling Autobiography
The world embraced Charles A. Lindbergh as its hero in 1927 when he piloted his single-engine Ryan Monoplane, The Spirit of St. Louis, across dark waters, completing the first nonstop flight from New York to Paris.

THE SPIRIT OF SAINT LOUIS is an extremely well written book by an American icon. It not only chronicles Lindbergh's famous flight, but also faithfully tells the story of his early life as well. The book provides insight into the early history of American aviation and does so in an entertaining yet compelling format.

A few years ago, Scott M. Berg's biography of Lindbergh chronicled the life of the famed American figure. That book delves into the entire life of the aviator, including his darker days when he was accused of being a Nazi sympathizer. THE SPIRIT OF SAINT LOUIS offers a different, more exuberant vision into the author's more youthful soul. I would recommend reading both books for a complete portrait of the man.

Inspiring
Lindbergh's flight solo New York to Paris is still hard to repeat with a small, prop driven, aircraft. It is hard to summarize or constuct a methaphor to measure the impact of Lindbergh's historic flight in today's setting, it was such a great leap forward for mankind.

The flight inspired my father, 14 years old and living on a farm in Wisconsin in 1927, to become a graduate aerospace engineer, and later to work on the design of the P-38, X-15, and the Apollo capsule, among others, many of which he could not even tell me about. It had similar effects and results for thousands of others.

This book is well written and documents not only the flight, but the life of Lindbergh, and the logistics of pulling off this incredible event. After reading this book, I came to the opinion that the planning and logistics (including fundraising and sponsorship) may have been more difficult than the actual flight. We owe much for this leap forward to a group of individuals from St. Louis, who told Lindbergh, "you worry about the design, building, and flying of the aircraft, we will take care of the money". Reading about this portion of the effort alone, provides much food for thought about current corporate management and government projects. A case study in delegation! I found this book interesting, fascinating, well written, and inspiring. The event and the book are timeless. Reading it makes you realize the difference one person can make when perseverance is applied in a large dose.

good history of Spirit's flight
This book got a little dry at times but it is a great 1-stop shop for anyone who wants to know everything about the famous flight.

An Adventure That Soars
It's no surprise that Charles Lindbergh was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1954 for the book he had labored on - perfecting, if you will, as a perfectionist does - for fourteen years.

One would expect that a soft-spoken, intellectual type such as Lindbergh would write a rather drab, scientific account of the most dangerous and thrilling flight in history (yes, even more dangerous and thrilling than the Apollo missions.)

Instead we get a book that that carries us on wings of a pulsating first person indicative, from the beginning: his days as one of the first airmail pilots when the idea for the flight originated; to the final destination: the spectacular night landing at the Le Bourget Airport in Paris where a throng of hundreds of thousands swarmed toward the little monoplane, nearly swallowing it and its exhausted pilot.

The Spirit of St. Louis is likely the most absorbing true adventure story written by an American. It's a masterwork that rates as Lucky Lindy's second great achievement. ... Read more

Book Description

An Audio Book to be treasured by all history buffs: the companion volume to the ABC TV documentary.

This remarkable biography presents Abraham Lincoln as we have never before seen him. The insightful and vibrant narrative draws extensively on diaries, letters, and other primary sources to provide a remarkably close-up view of Lincoln: the boy, the homespun politician, the president, the military leader, the man with his family. Philip B. Kunhardt Jr., Philip B. Kunhardt III and Peter W. Kunhardt give us the fascinating life -- from birth to death -- of the extraordinary man who was the 16th president of the United States.

Distinguished actor of stage and screen, Frank Langella has been the recipient of the Tony Award. His stage and film credits include: Amadeus, Dracula and Diary of a Mad Housewife. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Gorgeous
Kudos to the publisher Knopf and all involved on the quality of this book. The reproduction of the 19th century photographs is first rate. The sepia toned image of the great man inside the front cover is exceptionally gorgeous - just breathtaking.

John Updike said Knopf publishes the most physically beautiful books in America,and this book leads me to believe he's right.

This is not a comprehesive,scholarly biography of Lincoln, nor does it pretend to be. But the text reads well,and the Lincoln photographs are beautiful, all-inclusive and presented in sound written context. The large size of the book works particularly nicely here. Well done!

Brilliant narrative and photography of Abraham Lincoln
Philip B. Kunhardt is to be highly commended for this outstanding photographic history of Abraham Lincoln.Not only are the photographs captivating, but the narrative of Lincolns life and the important events during his lifetime are interesting and enhance this book. Many interesting stories go along with the photographs of Lincoln from his 40's to his last days, however the most interesting part in my opinion is the month by month account of his presidency and the important events that occured.So much about the man has been written, but until this book was published not as many photos of President Lincoln were circulated or published. Just as important, are the events and stories which swirled around Lincoln.From his habits and humor to his history changing decisions are written in clarity and interesting form. His life and his loves are given with compassion, and his impossible losses of his sons and his mentally unballanced wife Mary Todd Lincoln is given unflinchingly. The last chapter of the book is about the assassination and the controversy surrounding Lincoln's remains, a very interesting and informative chapter to close with. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in U.S. History or 19th Century U.S. History.

Sumptuous Photography
The quality of this book is what first grabs you. The paper is thick,glossy and has weight, it reproduces 19th century photographs beautifully.The text is ancillary and never intrudes upon the primary focus here, whichare the photographs of Lincoln, his family and the people who shaped hisextraordinary life. The text illuminates and expands upon the photographs,giving dates and other pertinent information.

If you're looking for afull-scale biography of Lincoln, look elsewhere, this is primarily a visualtreat and one of the better photographic compilations on any President.

draws on an incredible variety of sources...
...that deal with President Lincoln; includes some excellent photography and many good quotations.What an incredible fellow he was.

You must have this book
This is a fantastic and beautiful book--oversized, loaded with more photos than you've ever seen in a Lincoln book, and worthy of coffee-table display. But it's not just a picture book. Each page is jam-packed withtext, including an account of a dream Lincoln had about his ownassassination. You'll definitely want the hardback version. Even if you'vegot a hefty collection of Lincoln lore, you must add this book to yourshelves! ... Read more

Book Description

Winner of the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Biography and the Robert F. Kennedy Book Award, this is the most comprehensive book ever written about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Based on more than 700 interviews with all of King's surviving associates, as well as with those who opposed him, and enhanced by the author's access to King's personal papers and tens of thousands of pages of FBI documents, this is a towering portrait of a man's metamorphosis into a legend. Garrow traces King's transformation from a young, earnest pastor of a modest church into the foremost spokesperson of the black freedom struggle. The book's central unifying theme is King's growing awareness of the symbolic meaning of the cross as his sense of mission deepened, matured, and was transmuted by sometimes-reluctant degrees into acceptance of a life and a role that would end by demanding the ultimate in self-sacrifice. This is a powerful portrait of a man at the epicenter of one of the most dramatic periods in our history.

Reviews (9)

The heavy burden of being a hero
BEARING THE CROSS is a very detailed book on the life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., American hero, civil rights activist, preacher and admirer of Ghandi and his nonviolent approach to social change. King came to the forefront of the mid-century civil rights movement when Rosa Parks, a seamstress, refused to move from her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. It wasn't the first time a black woman had been tossed out of her seat in the Black section of the bus when a white customer needed a seat. Along with the removal usually went insults and threats and Ms. Parks just wasn't having it that time. The local activists asked King, a new preacher at Dexter Baptist Church, if he would take on the responsibility. Reluctantly, he agreed to do so and thus began the legend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Over the years, Dr. King has taken on an almost mythical position in the civil rights movement. Those who were present at the time find themselves wondering if the Dr. King they remember is the same man that is now raised in the American consciousness. He is frequently given a saintly aura that leads children reading about him in history books to believe there was never anyone like him before and that there can never be another like him again. David J. Garrow dispels those myths as he lets us in on the life of the man who led this country to reconsider its segregationist behavior. We see Dr. King when he is depressed and feeling unworthy of his position in the movement, when he is being a chauvinist about his wife, those moments when he smokes and drinks too much and Garrow gives credence to the rampant rumors that he had women in his life other than Coretta.

In addition to the very humanness of King, we also get to witness the foibles of the United States as it dealt with its Black citizens. We get to know the actions of three presidents of the United States, Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson, as they vacillated about the civil rights movement. None of them wanted to upset the Southern voting population so they tended to send mixed messages: on one hand they knew that Blacks were being treated unfairly but to offer help through legislation, federal troop protection for besieged nonviolent marchers or verbal support for the movement was beyond where they wanted to go. The levels to which the FBI stooped to discredit King are by themselves, phenomenal. Each of the presidents was definitely aware that King's rights as a citizen of this country were being abused as his home, his phones, his motels, hotels and friends were wiretapped. The agency also used the illegally acquired information to terrorize and blackmail Dr. King. Not one of them objected to this horrendous invasion of privacy.

BEARING THE CROSS is a definite must read for every caring citizen of the United States who has a desire to understand and appreciate the civil rights movement, the life and times of Dr. King and the role that the country has played in keeping some of its citizens in bondage. I would also recommend it as a reference book for the civil rights movement.

Reviewed by alice Holman
of the RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Very good biography on MLK
This Pulitzer Prize winning biography proves to be superbly reseached and well written (although bit dry for some) account of the great civil right leader. However, the book seem to be geared around his public life and his involvment with the Civil Rights movement of SCLC. Although this part of his life seem to be well documented and covered, the book don't tell us much about King's private life, his relationship with his family, or his sexual indiscretions and his own relationship on the personal level with so many of his fellowers, friends and rivials.

But its a superb coverage of King's Civil Rights involvement and actually tell a sad story of man who was definitely over reaching the limits of his own personal, mental and physical endurance. A good example would be how MLK's venture in the Vietnam War which definitely overextended his reach when so much still needed to be done on the Civil Rights front. This distraction also cost him friends and allies who could have helped him on that issue which should have been the main focus of MLK. I guess he lost focus in the end. I am bit surprised that the book didn't make any commentary on the legacy of MLK or anything like that. The book stopped with his death which almost sound like a blessing for MLK who seem at the end of his life, an unhappy man, totally stress out and overwhelmed by his burdens.

But as biography goes, I thought this book was honest and interesting picture of a man. And thats good in my opinion, MLK was a man with combination of greatness and flaw that the book clearly points out with a great deal of objectivity. I thought it was kind of an ironic statement when the author stated that the only people who really knew MLK were his closest friends and the FBI who wiretapped him.

I should note that this may not be an ideal chocie for first time reader of MLK since there are overwhelming amount of material in this book which may create an information overload for some people.

My paperback book didn't have any photos which I thought to be bit strange. Book like this need photos. But overall, this is the best biography I have read on MLK regarding his public life. Will there ever be one of his private life??

Marked Black History
This is the most comprehensive MLK book you can get and it helped me through the 20th century as I wrote a short-short on Black history entitled "Who is We?" available @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/singinsagg. The book spans black history and the agonizing period of slavery from 1441, all across the Americas. It brings you to the period of segregation and tell of the arts that blacks are known for and traces the life of MLK, blacks in film, musical emerges such as gospel, blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, reggae, and hip-hop (rap).

required reading
Although not completed I already have the idea that it should be required reading for Seniors in High School and/or a Freshman College requirement. After all it is a most significant event of modern day history along with the civil war and both world wars. David Garrow simultaneously celebrates and condemns human nature by revealing the courage and strength of Dr. King and his followers even as his wife and daughter are attacked with fire bombs by the hateful white mobs. A very compelling beginning story of Rosa Parks... the injustices and inhumane treatment she suffered at the hands of a hate filled people...sets the stage for a work that could begin a lesson in tolerance and unity for our next generations. I unfortunately believe we are still condemned to live our hateful existence in America and the world until works like this can get the attention they deserve.

A Thorough History
I knew very little about MLK and the civil rights movement before reading this book. It was a very detailed account of MLK's involvement in civil rights and his personal life. From the late 50's to his death the author tells you practically everything about his life. Though it would be easy for an author to be bias toward or against King, I felt that Garrow did a good job of just telling the story and leaving conclusions to the reader. ... Read more

Book Description

Designed to coincide with the release of a major motion picture on Martin Luther’s life, this book offers a compact, up-to-date, and accessible biography of the great reformer. Nestingen combines his knowledge of Luther and Reformation history with his considerable storytelling skills to present this concise and compelling story of Martin Luther’s life and times. Information boxes, visual highlights, and excerpts from Luther’s writings extend the story and provide helpful historical reference points and commentary.

Here is a Luther biography for a broad range of readers—accurate, concise, engaging—a biography that appeals as well as informs. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Bummer of a Book
It is surprising how bad this book really is. I have to echo what others have said here. I thought, "Oh, come on, can't be as bad as they said." It's worse!

Pathetic to think a publishing company that is supposed to be Lutheran would put out something this poor. But, as I look at other things that Augsburg-Fortress offers, it is not surprising. They are so into politically correct left-wing theology it is not really a mystery why they would give a book on Luther such short schrift.

Bad layout, design, printing, formatting and writing.

A real bummer of a book.

Poor Effort for a Great Subject
I have to agree with the negative reviews posted here. The book "Martin Luther: A Life" was obviously slapped together in a hurry and printed very poorly. You do have to just about break the book in half to read the text, it is printed in small hard to read type, on low quality paper, set very densely together. It almost looks to me like somebody printed this on their home printer! Pictures from the movie are slapped into the middle of the book with no rhyme or reason, and the credits are as large as the picture titles, making them irritating to view.

The text of the book is written with a "snippy" attitude of, "Oh, well, yes, Luther and all that, but today we know this that an another thing." I was expecting better when I ordered this book. I thought, "Oh, come now, the negative reviews can't be right, and I read the positive reviews and thought, this can't be too bad."

WRONG it is a very poor excuse for a book. Don't bother with this one.

Riveting - a must-have for Christians
I grudgingly went to see the Martin Luther movie with some friends, but the film piqued my curiosity. This book not only answered all my questions, but I found it a fun and easy read. There are other books out there on Martin Luther, but this one is the best. Nestingen has written a book that manages to be not only informative, but amusing. Finally, considering Luther's revolutionary role in church history, this book is a must-have for anyone who identifies themselves as a Christian.

Excellent treatment
I don't know what these other two reviewers are talking about. I was raised Lutheran until high school and studied the Reformation in college. And I think to date this is my favorite treatment of Luther. Nestingen successfully covers the life of Luther, both is personal and public life and paints him in a likeable but realistic light. He pulls together mounds of scholarly info into a very brief account drawing light on things I'd never even heard of before. As for the typeset and the format of the book itself, I work in publishing and I think its fine, even cool! This new way of putting flaps on the paperback cover is different but easily allows you to mark your place in the book. I got used to it quickly. The photos in the book from movie stills add a lot both to the cover and the feel of the book. View a copy yourself before believing these other two reviews!

Cheapo Paperback -- Not Worth It
I really love the new movie out about Martin Luther, so I've been trying to buy any book done to go along with the movie. I've found this one and the one from Concordia Publishing House called "Luther Biography of a Reformer." No comparison! The Concordia book is a hardback and is clear, to the point, easy to read and even easy on the eyes. This book seemed to be slapped together, both in terms of the writing and the way they made this book. I am surprised by this, but it sure is too bad. The print in the book is hard to read, the binding is so tight it is hard to read the book. The photos from the movies are nice, but each one is cluttered up with the same information for each picture.

The other book, from the Concordia Publisher, doesn't have all this clutter with their picture, and they have more pictures too.

If you want a good book to go along with the new movie out on Martin Luther, this isn't it. Augsburg Fortress Publisher puts out great books on Luther, but this isn't one of them!

Not worth the money, for sure. Don't bother with it. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

"I want to be one just like him."
Fantastic! What a great read from a Bishop who can recognize a man of character and faith. Unlike most Episcopal bishops today who chase after the wind, Bishop Brown has written an interesting short tome on the greatest man produced by the 19th Century. Bishop Brown's intertwining of C.S. Lewis, Dorothy Sayers, and T.S. Elliot makes it all the more interesting. This book will bless you during devotional time.

The Christian beliefs of Robert E. Lee
A well-researched book on the religious beliefs of Robert E. Lee. A most instructive study on how these beliefs developed and impacted the man. The book is detailed on just what these beliefs were and how they were at the very core of who Robert E. Lee was.

I disagree with the honorable reader from redmond
The review written in a vain attempt to slash at the character of such a paragon of virtue is ridiculous and only shows the strength of Lee's character and the weakness of any who would care to even attempt such damage to it. Lee freed all his slaves by 1863 only because that was the time period set within his father-in-law's will, he would have preferred to release them earlier since he viewed slavery as a vile and impractical institution although he was not in favor of complete and immediate abolition, preferring gradual abolition for their "education as a race"-- in other words, to fit them with abilities worthy of employment and adequate pay once freed. The comment about protocol was ridiculous and incomprehensible. Lee specificially told his younger officers, who suggested that he lead the army into what would be a devastating round of "bushwhacking"- guerrilla warfare in the countryside, that he would not because the only honorable thing was to surrender to Grant, and thus saved the country from years of devastating warfare. To say that Lee prolonged the war, then, is pointless, for it was he who surrendered when davis, his superior, would have continued to fight. The quote which suggests bigorty and prejudice of Lee shall not even be repeated here due to the fact that it was a misinterpretation of his meaning. Lee, in fact, showed by personal example the best way to unite the country. He attended an Episcopalian church in which the congregation was white, until one day a black man entered the church and proceeded to the rail to take communion. there was a oause in the church, for no man dared sit beside this "colored" man- except Lee, who immediate took his seat beside the man and showed that he was in no way prejudiced.

Religious, but not very deep.
A thought-provoking book about one of the more interesting figures in U.S. history. However one might argue that his support of slavery, the needless misery and suffering caused by his refusal to call for an end to the war after his surrender when he admitted all was lost (basically a matter of protocol, due to loyalty to Jefferson Davis), his refusal to allow prisoner exchanges because of the Union's demand that black soldiers be included ('those species of property' as he put it) tempers the urge to consider him the "embodiment of all that is noble, beautiful, and worthy of emulation in the best of the Christian tradition." One would consider the Christian tradition a bit more enlightened. I also wish the author would have included the words Lee spoke when he shook hands with Ely Parker, one of Grant's aides, after the surrender papers were signed at Appomattox Courthouse: "I am glad to see one real American here." Parker responded, "We are all Americans."

The best short insight of this American giant
To try to understand Lee apart from his faith is folly. He embodies all that is noble, beautiful, and worthy of emulation in the best of the Christian tradition. His grace, his poise, his presence are all legendary. His strategic acumen is without peer in all of American history. All are grounded in his simple, profound and unshakeable faith in the wisdom and mercy of God. He has been characterized as enimatic by some historians. I believe he is laid bare in this study. Part history and part meditation no Lee admirer should be without this one. ... Read more

Book Description

Hapgood, the initiator of muckraking journalism in America, was also a distinguished magazine editor, diplomat and politician. Written in 1899, this is his finest book. ... Read more

Book Description

A private citizen who transformed the world around him, Martin Luther King, Jr., was arguably the greatest American who ever lived. Now, after more than thirty years, few people understand how truly radical he was. In this groundbreaking examination of the man and his legacy, provocative author, lecturer, and professor Michael Eric Dyson restores King's true vitality and complexity and challenges us to embrace the very contradictions that make King relevant in today's world. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

This book is too fat
Rev. Dyson dissects the great black man of the last century and attempts to get some insight into how his image translates to modern America. I found the chapter concerning Dr. King's embrace of democratic socialism to be enlightening, but I found the Rev. Dyson handing out alibis for King's adultery disappointing. Equally mind blowing is Dyson's using overblown language to assail the King family's efforts to control their loved one's image. I wonder why there are hard feelings, since Dexter and Coretta King talked to him for this book. This is an interesting character study that does draw some modern parallels, but would have been better if it were about 3 chapters shorter.

Fascinating
I have always been fascinated with Dr. King as one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. I love the work that Dr. Dyson did in writing this book, because he is authentic in talking about Dr. King the man - strengths, weaknesses and all - while exposing the myths about him. Being African-American, I can understand why many within our community woud want to scold Dr. Dyson for exposing Dr. King's dirty laundry. I, however, consider it not only essential, but relevant that we talk about the true humanity of our leaders (espcially one as esteemed as Dr. King) to avoid the danger of us elevating them as idols. It is a great reminder that God uses people (albeit flawed people) for magnificent works in a fallen world. This is a great book that I highly recommed!!

libelous work written by pseudo-intellectual
I picked up this book expecting a fresh approach and analysis of Dr. King apart from the obligatory images we're force-fed each new year. Instead, I was disappointed to find that Eric Dyson made heavy use of speculation with the intent to scandalize more than to inform and enlighten. One such example includes Dyson conveying the idea that Dr. King may have engaged in orgies with many different women along with his right-hand man Ralph Abernathy. He then goes on to infer that there was talk of King and Abernathy engaging in sexual acts with each other! The author had no commentary to either support or dispel this "theory" making Dyson's retelling of the alleged incident totally irresponsible and even libelous. He just dropped the information, true or untrue, in the readers lap to do with as the reader pleased. To that end, it is my opinion that Dyson's intent in writing this book was in no way honorable or truth-seeking, rather it was a means to convey his baseless ideas to anyone who would listen. I'm reminded of something my grandmother and mother would always say to me, "an empty wagon makes the loudest noise." Eric Dyson makes a lot of noise in this book but totally lacks substance. This was an expensive tabloid.

be ready for analysis, not simply historical biography
This book was not what I expected, but enjoyed regardless. I particularly liked his idea of banning the 'I Have a Dream' speech from public media. The stories about his philandering were a bit shocking to me, but I have never read any biography of King before, so I wasn't prepared. The ocassional tangents might irk some, but understand Dyson has to take some risks and expand on ideas to make the book worth his time. Realize the civil right movement is not over. Dialogue needs to continue in written forms such as this book to make progress.
- logan square yuppie

whoa
Much is made of dyson's intellectual prowess; this just goes to show you that all things are relative. There are organisms shuffling down the street to whom dyson's intellect would, one assumes, seem impressive. But that don't necessarily make it so. You may, at some point, have heard the term pinhead. The term signifies that the owner of such a head has a tiny little brain, a "peabrain" if you will. This, in a nutshell, is dyson. He meanders around offering weak commentary and observation that appeals chiefly to the MTV and BET crowd. This is to say, he offers nothing of value other than allowing Penn to make their quota. Do yourself a favor and avoid at all costs. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An engaging juvenille biography of Robert E. Lee
As if often the case with any examination of the life and military career of Robert E. Lee, author Albert Marrin begins "Virginia's General" with the pivotal date of April 18, 1861, when Lee rejected taking battlefield command of the United States Army. Lee is the most revered general in American History, mainly because of the inherent nobility in fighting brilliantly for a lost cause, an effect that can be traced back to Homer's "Iliad" and Hector, breaker of horses. One of the inevitable questions in studying his life is what his reputation would have been in the American history books if he had accepted that offer instead. Would he have led the Federal forces to a quick victory thereby saving hundreds of thousands of lives? Would the abolition of slavery have gone "better" if the South had not been devastated by the war? However, as interesting as these questions are to pursue, they are just idle speculation and Marrin's task is to understand Robert E. Lee as both a person and a solider, setting him in his own time.

Marrin devotes his first chapter to Lee's life and military career through John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry, where Lee led the marines who retook the arsenal. The rest of the book divides Lee's actions during the Civil War into distinct periods defined by various tasks and battles (e.g., Savior of Richmond deals with Lee taking command of the Confederate Army after General Joseph E. Johnston was wounded and Lee's Masterpiece is about the Battle of Chancellorsville). What is revealed is the portrait of a young officer who graduated West Point without receiving a single demerit and whose loyalty to his native Virginia convinced him to serve the Confederacy. But Marrin also describes the battles in such a way that young readers can appreciate Lee as a military strategist, both in terms of his many successes and his final defeats.

"Virginia's General: Robert E. Lee and the Civil War" is illustrated with historic photographs and paintings, as well as small maps of each of the major battles of the war. Marrin provides an engaging narrative that covers a lot of information and works in a lot of quotations to maintain the effect that this is an interesting story and not just a history book. I also appreciate that Marrin covers the entire Civil War, since what was happening in the West affected Lee's decisions as commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. Consequently, this is not the first book that a young reader would turn to for an introduction to Lee, but it for a more in-depth examination of his Civil War career this is a solid choice. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Gripping read
If you want to get a true sense of Lincoln, then this book is for you. It is a well written and an incredibly detailed narrative chronological account of Lincoln's life, filled with lots of examples of stories that Lincoln expounded, and minute details of major events in his life. A book I will read again and again.

A Man of Faith

To study Abraham Lincoln is to study character. I would be hard-pressed to think of a person who lived since the time of Christ that so fully embodied the qualities and character of a Christian. He was a man who lived with humble faith and firm convictions and seemed always to direct himself by what was right.

Perhaps no other character in history other than Jesus has been written about as much as Abraham Lincoln. There are literally hundreds of books that trace his life, from its humble beginnings in the backwoods of Kentucky to its conclusion at the hands of an assassin. This book does not attempt to provide an exhaustive biography of his life. Rather, it traces the growth of Lincoln as a Christian. It traces the roots of his faith in the teachings of his mother and shows how his faith was tested and sharpened through his life. It shows how the wisdom which made him famous was godly wisdom, learned through a lifetime of humility and submission to God.

Perhaps the most striking thing about Lincoln's life is that while he lived a life of moral purity that would be the envy of man Christians, for the greater part of his life he was not a believer. It was only near the end, riding across the battlefield at Gettysburg to deliver his famous address, that he could say he fully dedicated himself to God. Though he was a good man and a moral man, he did not actually become a Christian until that time. Through his life prior to that time it was his mother's faith and her teaching that had carried him through life's trials and temptations.

The author's extensive research has led him to pivotal moments in Lincoln's faith. The most important influence was his mother, who raised Lincoln with awe for and respect of the Bible. His mother, who died when Lincoln was just a young boy, made him promise that he would live as she had taught him and to keep the Lord's commandments. This promise shaped his life as many times in life he overcame temptation by thinking of his mother's words. Other pivotal moments in his life were the death of his fiancée and the later death of his son. Both of these events shook him to the core of his being, but God sent people into his life to comfort him and minister to him during these times. In the end, we see, these events left him stronger and helped lead him to making a commitment to God.

When we trace Lincoln's life we can see how God was preparing him for the task He had appointed to him - the task of saving the nation. We see how the development of his character, his faith and his relationships all led to him becoming a great statesman. We see how these elements brought him through this time and how he stood firm in them until the time of his death. It was these elements that made him one of the most beloved men in the nation's history.

Abraham Lincoln serves as an inspiration to me. I dream of being a man of Lincoln's character and dream of being able to write and express myself as Lincoln did. I dream of having his simple, humble wisdom.

This book is well-written, well-researched and well-documented. I give it my highest recommendation.

Inspiring Integrity
This book reveals the humble faith of a man whose simple convictions guided him through the fiery trials of the U.S. Civil War. Owen documents Lincoln's passion for truth and integrity that inspired his countrymen then and now. Growing personally even as his stature and influence as a statesman spread across the seas, Lincoln's faith is evident from his mother's early influence through the end of his life as quotes throughout the text reveal.

Outstanding review of Lincoln's faith and convictions!
This book is an excellent source for information not generally discussed about Lincoln's faith and his morals. Very well researched with a detailed bibliography. A must read! ... Read more

Book Description

Despite the literary outpouring on the life of Robert E. Lee, the southern chieftain remains an enigma.The existing scholarship is so voluminous, complex, and contradictory that it is difficult to penetrate the inner Lee and appreciate him as a general. Peter S. Carmichael has assembled a formidable array of Civil War historians who rigorously return to Lee’s own words and actions in interpreting the war in Virginia.This is the first collective volumeto scrutinize specific aspects of the general’s military career.

Carmichael’s opening contribution confronts Lee’s supposed drive for a victory of annihilation and takes issue with claims that he was too aggressive.William J. Miller’s novel analysis of Lee’s leadership during the pivotal Seven Days battles reconstructs his strategic thinking and corrects old assumptions. Gordon C. Rhea overturns the common notion that Lee anticipated his adversaries with uncanny precision in the Overland campaign of 1864.Robert E. L. Krick takes aim at the oft-repeated criticism that Lee was not attuned to the demands of modern warfare because he failed to surround himself with enough subordinates to ensure the smooth operation of the army; in fact, Krick argues, Lee continually fine-tuned the performance of his support staff, striving to eliminate deficiencies.Finally, Max R. Williams’s examination of the relationship between Lee and North Carolina governor Zebulon B. Vance, and Mark L. Bradley’s portrait of Lee’s relationships with Jefferson Davis and Joseph E. Johnston, offer contrasting views of the soldier as both politically assertive and reticent, respectively.

Falling easily into neither the pro- or anti-Lee camp, Audacity Personified challenges long-standing beliefs accepted since Douglas S. Freeman’s influential biography of Lee was publishedseventy years ago.These diverse scholarly visions of the great Confederate general move beyond cliché and bring his career vividly to the printed page. ... Read more

Book Description

"If you grew up with Abraham Lincoln, what kind of house would you live in?How would you travel?What would you do for fun?" These - and 25 other questions children might ask about life in Lincoln's time - are answered in this information-packed book for young readers.

The author shows boys and girls what it would be like to live in the same places that Lincoln lived - as a boy in Kentucky and Indiana, as a young man in the prairie town of New Salem, Illinois, and later in the city of Springfield, Illinois.

A picture appendix shows what great changes occurred from the time Lincoln was a boy to the time he was President in Washington D.C. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Forget something?
If you want your children to learn about the realities of living in the 1800s, do not buy this book. It leaves out one crucial factor. SLAVERY. There is no mention of African Americans anywhere in this book, nor are they pictured anywhere in the book. There are other books that you can find for your children that actually tell you what happened in American history.

If you grew up with Abraham Lincoln by Jessie (homeschooled)
If You Grew Up With Abraham Lincoln is written by Ann McGovern. This book is about Abe Lincoln's life on the frontier, in town , and in the city of Springfield, IN. It also talks about his election to the Presidency. When Abe was a boy he slept in a loft. Later in a village called New Salem, he opened a store. Then he worked as a lawyer in Springfield. When the year 1860 came, Abe found out he had been elected President! My favorite part of this book is when McGovernmentions that Abe slept on the counter in his store in New Salem. I give this book five stupendous stars!

If You Grew Up With Abraham Lincoln
I really enjoyed reading this book with my 7 year old son. The perspective that it gives, that is looking at what the past was like in real everyday terms, helped him to get a grasp of what kinds of advances there have been in 200 years.The language was appropriate for the age and the illustrations supported the text.This book could be used in many ways in a classroom or homeschool situation. I recommend it for anyone trying to convey the difference between past and present to a child. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

M.T.L. -- eccentric or ill?
This book does not definitively answer the question whether the involuntary commitment of Mary Todd Lincoln subsequent to the assassination of her husband was just. It does portray Robert Todd Lincoln, the only surviving son of MTL, who initiated the proceedings, in a light more favorable than any previous biography to analyize the event.

As a person who works in the area of mental health law in the State of Illinois, I have found this book to be an invaluable resource in understanding the history of mental health law as it has evolved in this state. That said, there are instances in which legal terms are misused or misinterpreted by the authors, which leaves some question as to the authoriativeness of the opinions they express.

This is largely a work of history. As such, it animates the colorful characters involved in the insanity trial and the developments in the years prior. This is far more interesting any fiction I have read, and its historical basis makes it helpful in considering how we treat family members and the mentally ill today.

A REAL EYE-OPENER
With patience, and believe me it's worth it, you will discover the basic truths regarding Mary Todd (her supposed insanity) and her relationship with her eldest and only surviving son Robert (who had her institutionalized). This is a fantastic story of not only the legal mindset of the day regarding medicine, pyschology and women, but a story of a family that deeply cared for each other yet found it nearly impossible to express that love. Based on a large packet of notes and letters hidden away by Robert Todd Lincoln in his Manchester, Vermont home and subsequently discovered by his grandson Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith in 1980, this is hands-down the most factual account you will find anywhere, well documented with footnotes and references galore. Alas, Beckwith (the last of the Lincolns) is dead, but his decision to allow publication of this very private material was based on the fact that if Robert had not want it to be known he would have burned the packet rather than hiding it away for future discovery. If you want more gossip about the Lincolns, this is not the book for you. If you want a clearer understanding of who this great lady Mary Todd and her son Robert Todd Lincoln were, this is the only place you'll find it. ... Read more