Book Description

Part slave narrative, part memoir, and part sentimental fiction, Behind the Scenes depicts Elizabeth Keckley's years as a slave and subsequent four years in Abraham Lincoln's White House during the Civil War (1861-1865).As public drama privately experienced, Keckley's work presents Jefferson Davis and his wife, Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln, and even Stephen Douglas and "Mrs. Senator Douglas" in the foreground, with the war, and slavery as the issue that precipitated it, in the background.Through the eyes of this black woman--an ex-slave, seamstress, and dressmaker--we see a wide range of historical figures and events of the antebellum South, the Washington of the Civil War years, and the final stages of the war. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Elozabeth Keckley's Diary
I really had a hard time reading this. It's one of the worst diary writings I have ever read. I can understand why a publisher would think this book would be important.
However, even if a book is someone as interesting as Mary Todd. Some things quiet honestly should never be published.
There were a few interesting moments about Mary and Abraham Lincoln in the diary. That is really the only reason why I gave it two stars.
The person who published this book. Makes it seems like there is more info on the Lincoln's then there acutely is.
It's more about the hard times of slavery. I don't have a problem reading about such things. However, there are a lot better books out there written about the subject.
If your really new to learning about the Civil War, slavery, and the Lincoln family. Then this book would be relatively of help to you.
But for any long time Civil War book. skip this.

Beautifully Written!
I got a copy of this book from a book fair not on purpose. As a non-native English learner, what strikes me is the ability of Keckley to express rich emotions in very simple words and sentences. I always like reading first person narratives, fictions or true stories, but seldom find one as captivating as this. A five-star from me and it's a pity she didn't seem
to have written other books.

LOUSY !!!!!!!!!!!
This book was VERY,VERY DISAPPOINTING!It had only 2 chapters on 30yrs.of being a SLAVE(if you can believe that!) and 13 CHAPTERS
on 4 yrs. in the White House!!
GO FIGURE!!!!! I am SO SORRY I had my daughter get this book for me for Mother's DAY!

Intersting...
The story/diary it self I found wasn't written very good.However I found Ms.Keckley's relationship with Mrs.Mary Todd Lincoln and her family intersting.
She gave some insightfll thoughts about Mary and Abraham that was quite a treat to read.

Stepping back in time
I was enthralled by every page of this book. I couldn't put it down and was disappointed when it ended. As I was reading the book, I felt like I was stepping back in time witnessing the ordinary, human, day-to-day life behind the historical events we studied in school.

The story was simple and yet it presented a very intimate glimpse into the genuine personalities of Abraham and Mary and the life the author shared with them. Elizabeth Keckley was not writing to impress anyone with her "insider" position in the White House, she was just sharing her story.

The stories about her life as a slave also offered the reader an opportunity to experience slavery through the eyes and heart of a slave.

How lucky we are that she wrote this book. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Civil War with anew angle
I have read numerous Lincoln books and they basically tell the same stories I've read before. This book is very different. The author is able to weave Lincoln's and Whitman's lives together even though they never met. Some of the comparisons between Lincoln's speeches and Whitman's writings are uncanny. The author also provides a refreshing, intimate view of Washington life during this period - the politics, famous people, events, day to day life, not to mention how to get a government job. Obviously you can see that I am not a book reviewer, but I have to recommend this book. The fusion of history and poetry duirng this difficult time is fasinating. I just wish these two great men (with their flaws) could have sat down at one point and actually talked. Oh what a story that would have been! Also thanks for helping me better understand Whitman.

what more to say
Can't add much to these reviews except to say that this book brought tears to my eyes.

Lincoln and Whitman : Parallel lives in Civil War Washington
Beginning with Abraham Lincoln's fascination with Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, the author uses Lincoln's activities in the nation's capital as a backdrop for the story of Whitman's life there during the Civil War. Working as a copy clerk, Whitman spent most of his free time comforting wounded Union soldiers. A dedicated Lincoln admirer, he also planned his walks around the city to coincide with the President's carriage rides, often waving to Lincoln as he watched him pass. The closest the poet came to the President was to see him from an adjoining room in the White House. As Whitman published his book of poetry Drum-Taps, Lincoln was assassinated. Whitman's grief led to his poems "When Lilacs Last in the Door-Yard Bloom'd" and "O Captain, My Captain." Both are included here, along with brief interpretations. The author's premise that there is value in juxtaposing the lives of a famous president and a poet is not supported. There is not enough evidence of a strong connection between the two men to warrant a book on the subject. Epstein (author of biographies of Aimee Semple McPherson, Nat King Cole, and Edna St. Vincent Millay, as well as a number of books of poetry) emphasizes literary aspects rather than historical ones. A marginal purchase that only libraries with Whitman collections need consider.

Historical Poetry
Anyone who loves either Lincoln or Whitman will find themselves in their world. Epstein commands an amazing knowledge of place and time, transporting the reader back to Civil War America. He does so with great humanity and depth. This book was an experience I will never forget.

The Spirit of the Times
With such wonderful reviews from other readers and reviewers, what more to say? Mr. Epstein has explored the life of the most literary of our Presidents. He found a man of deep political sensitivity who longed to express his and the nation's personal grief during a long, frustrating war. And he has explored the life of the most personal of American poets. Here he found a man who longed to express the national longing in poems drawn from the blood and sweat of of the seemingly interminable casualties of that war. What strikes one most is how keenly they both knew their limitations and how very carefully they each chose their moments to speak. By describing these two lives in parallel, a compelling portrait emerges of the spirit of those terrible times. This book is a page turner at many levels. Buy it and read it and tell others. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Mary Todd Lincoln
This is a very well written book on the life of the sixteenth President of the United States.
Mary Todd Lincoln has been one of the most missed represented women in history. Her reputation has been tarnished due to William H Herdan. Herdan and Mrs. Lincoln hated each other, and this why she has often been misunderstood in history.
Mary Todd had a lot of emotional problems that were not understood at the time and Lincoln himself had a degree of mental, and emotional problems. I've always personally believed that his own problems have been foreshadowed because of his wife.
Mary had lost two children during her life, and she witnessed first hand the assignation of her husband.
I don't think that any of us, can fully understand. The pain that she went through the last few years of her life.
I think it was even worse for her because her own son Robert Lincoln put her in a mental institution. Again I blame this because of the time she lived in. If she had a court jury here in the 21st century, I believe that things would have turned out very different for her.
Mary Todd Lincoln was an amazing women who live during the wrong time. She was more intelligent then a lot of the men she know and this is why I believe that she and Abraham Lincoln made such a great pair.
I really hope that when people read this book, they will have a better understanding of her.
I also can only hope that more people will try to do more research and have more impute about her in future novels on Lincoln himself.

A fascinating portrait of a much-maligned woman
Mary Todd Lincoln is commonly dismissed as the "crazy" First Lady, un unpleasant burden on an outstanding president already burdened by a country at war with itself. I admit that I held this conception before reading Baker's biography of Mary Todd Lincoln. Baker, however, successfully convinced me that Mary was simply misunderstood, victimized by the press of the day, and manipulated mercilessly by her oldest son, Robert, following Lincoln's assassination. Though Baker has little to work with concerning details of Mary's early life in Kentucky and then Springfield, she makes up for it with fascinating accounts of what life was like for women of Mary's station in the early- to mid-1800s. Baker also offers a fascinating portrait of the much-maligned Mary who fled later in life to Europe and a quieter life. We see Mary's faults, but we also see the abuse she suffered in public as a result of those faults being exaggerated by her enemies. Ultimately, Baker offers an account of the perils of being a confident, outspoken woman in the 19th century.

Mary Todd Lincoln
This is my most favorite biography in the world. It's about the wife of the 16th President of the United States.
The writer really lets you know more about Mary and she doesn't write just trash about her.

MRS LINCOLN
This is the story of a women named Mary Todd, who grew up to be the wife of the sixteenth president of the United States, one of our most beloved leaders.
Unlike her husband who's named is absorbed in legend, Marry Todd Lincoln has been unfairly betrayed in history.
During a time when men still held most power in our country. Mary was often looked down upon and her own son even help establishing her living in a mental institution, ( I really don't think would happen in this day of age.)
Mary was infract very intelligent and very influence in her husband's career.
I honestly just don't think people could really understand what the poor women most have gone through during the last few years of her life.
I mean she must have replayed the scene of her husband being assented in her mind over and over again, and the fact that the way she handled her grief, and stress differently put her in the insane category.
If you ever want to learn something on Abraham Lincoln's wife, then I suggest this book.
You will probably learn information on the Lincoln family that you never learned in high school, let alone any were else.
I think this would be a good start for any one who wants to really learn about Marry Todd Lincoln, and why so many historians, have continued to berate, and bash her in history through out the years.

Mary Todd Lincoln as a real person
Jean Baker succeeds in presenting Mary Todd Lincoln as a troubled, but real human being, which is an accomplishment given her reputation. (I mean Mary's reputation, not Ms. Baker's ;))With the loss of her mother and the subsequent losses through out her life, Mary comes across as a person who expected and worst and whose expectations were frequently met. In another time she could have been a CEO or an attorney. It is easy to see what Lincoln was attracted to and how Mary was likely to resond to a man interested in her thoughts and political insights, not just her family background and prospects as a mother. Lincoln, at least, had a caring stepmother which is more than Mary had. She was a complex woman with many strengths and serious emotional problems. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Biography, Abraham Lincoln
Most Americans know the major details of the life of our sixteenth president: his pioneer family and humble upbringing; his self - education, his rise through native wit and intelligence from lawyer to state legislator to presidential candidate; his necessarily rapid growth as a statesman to become the virtual conscience of his nation during the bloodiest rift in it's history and spirit; his vilification in the South; his assassination; and his glorification in the Northern states. What many of us may not know are the particular incidents, decisions, and qualities which created the most extraordinary figure in out political history. In this one - volume biography of Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin P. Thomas presents all the significant events and achievements in the life of one of the greatest presidents, and greatest men, in American history. These achievements, Thomas maintains, are a matter of record. There is none of the easy myth - making and hero worship that often mar both longer and shorter biographical treatments. In Abraham Lincoln readers will find little of the lyrical and romanticized Lincoln, nor will they encounter the historically possible but imagined situations which sometimes adorn Carl Sandburg's narrative. What they will find is a full account of the rise to power of a skillful politician and complicated man, who took on an enourmous amount of personal and public responsibility during the greatest crisis in our nation's history. Clearly an admirer of our sixteenth president, Thomas allows the story of Lincoln's successes and failures, and his priviate tragedies, to take its natural course to a regrettable and unnatural end. He permits both the character of the man and the weighty, worrisome decisions of the president to speak eloquently for themeselves. In summing up the Lincoln legacy, Thomas achieves an eloquence of his own: Lincoln saw his countrymen as inheritors of a trust. To them it had been given to make democracy succeed, to cleanse it of the hypocrisies that deprive it of its just example in the world. For in democracy, made genuine, he saw our last, best hope of frustrating any tyrant who seeks to regiment or debase or mislead any people, anywhere and of achieving peace on earth and good will among men and woman through the universal liberty of mankind.

LINCOLN 101, AN OVERVIEW
AS IN ANY 101 INTRODUCTORY COURSE, HIGHLY RELEVENT OTHER INFORMATION IS MISSING. YET, THIS IS AN EXCELLENT ONE-VOLUME BOOK ABOUT LINCOLN. OTHER BOOKS THAT WOULD FLESH IT OUT DEAL WITH STEPHEN A DOUGLAS, CAPTAIN SAM GRANT (THE FIRST IN A TRILOGY, ALL OF WHICH ARE RELEVENT), (2)GRANT MOVES SOUTH, AND (3)GRANT TAKES COMMAND. IN ADDITION READ OTHER WORKS ABOUT LINCLON WRITTEN BY LUDWIG AND SANDBURG, ALSO THE LINCOLN READER, AND LETTERS AND SPEECHES BY LINCLON, AND THE READER WILL HAVE JUST BEGUN TO APPRECIATE THE GREATNESS OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHO BECAME LINCOLN THE MAN, AND A GREAT PRESIDENT. MY 5-STAR RATING IS BASED ON THE 101 HYPOTHESIS IN THE HOPE IT WILL LEAD READERS TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER THE LIFE OF THIS NATION'S SIXTEENTH PRESIDENT THE BETTER TO APPRECIATE WHY LINCOLN IS SO RESPECTED AND HONORED, AS INDEED HE SHOULD BE. ... Read more

Book Description

Gripping, minute-by-minute account of the day President Lincoln was struck down by an assassin's bullet in Ford's Theatre.Parallels of the activities of the President with those of his assassin in an unforgettable, suspense- filled chronicle.320 pages. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Among the best Civil War era history books ever written.
Jim Bishop was a terrific newpaper columnist of the 50's and 60's who wrote the prize winning book, "The Day Christ Died" and followed it with this one during the Civil War Centennial. It is well worth this re-print edition. An absolutely relentless march of the men, women and events of the last 24 hours in the life of Lincoln. The detail here does not slow the history. Indeed it is the life blood of this enthralling book. Meticulous research brings the story to full color. You will feel the heartbeat of Booth as he approaches the President's box. You will suffer the shock of Mrs. Lincoln when she realizes her husband has been wounded. You will weep for Abraham Lincoln. Seldom is history as truely revealing as this. You do not read this book really. You breath it. Scott Brundage

Entertaining "biography" of an event
The Day Lincoln Was Shot is an old book. It was available when I was in grade school, but although I entertained an interest in history at the time, I was not yet into US history. A friend recently reintroduced me to the book, since he knew I had developed an interest in the period. I must say, I am glad he did. The book is strikingly well written and very well researched. Jim Bishop was not a professionally trained historian, but he was a writer with an interest in history and a methodical manner of approaching his subject. According to the introduction, the author kept notebooks on each of the major participants of the drama of Lincoln's last days, adding to them whenever scraps of information came his way. When he finally put pen to paper he had such voluminous data in anecdotal form, that he was able to untangle events in a way that no one before him had been able to do. Although he puts speeches into the mouths of his subjects, this dialogue is reconstructed from information from diaries, printed speeches, trail transcripts, and other documents from the time, that give credence to the author's construction.

The book is written on an hour by hour basis, departing from this format only to add a chapter on events that immediately preceded the fateful day. The author follows the activities of each of the major participants, describing their behavior, interactions, and words, creating a drama every bit as riveting as a novel or play.

I had read a biography of John Wilkes Booth that had raised the possibility of a conspiracy by Northerners to remove Lincoln and his more conciliatory approach to reconstruction by using a misguided Booth as a pawn in their political designs. At that time, I felt that there was a distinct possibility that this might have been the case. Bishop's book, however, made it apparent that this theory is not new but has been around since the events themselves. The author discusses the theory that the Secretary of War Stanton may have been behind such a scheme, but dismisses it as misguided, though I'm not entirely sure that his reasons for doing so are any more valid than the previous author's were.

One of the things I enjoyed most about the book is that Bishop doesn't leave one hanging at the end. Lincoln isn't just dead as the finale. The author details some of the fates of those who participated in the events. We are not only told what happened to the perpetrators of the murder, but what became of individuals like Secretary of War Stanton, Vice President Johnson, Surgeon General Barnes, Ulysses S. Grant, among others. We are even told of the fate of the Ford Theater and its owner. The wrap up is very good.

The book is a delight to read. It's full of information and colorful detail. It's clearly and understandably written, and would make entertaining reading for anyone from 5th or 6th grade reading level to the adult.

A classic book
This is a classic book on the Lincoln assassination. Anyone contemplating a serious study of that fateful night of April 14, 1865 should start with this book. Even though it was published over twenty years ago, Bishop's book has stood the test of time.
What is so appalling is the gross neglect and incompetence by the government after the shooting.

The Lonely Hearts Assassin
This is a colorless telling of the Lincoln assassination but, to those suffering from inflated verbiage and "recreated" personal accounts of historical events, the absence of editorial opinion may be one of the strengths of this book. Author Jim Bishop gives us an hour by hour account of events leading up to Lincoln's murder. 9:00 a.m.; 10:00 a.m....etc...written as one would write a newspaper story. The effect is occasionally dull as everyday life, but my purpose in reading the book was to garner the unembellished facts of the Lincoln tragedy and to learn some things I had omitted from my education. This book did that very well for me. It also gave me insight into contemporary feelings and thought during the last days of the American Civil War.

Much of what I learned from reading this book is well known by more astute readers of history, but I was surprised to find out the larger dimensions of the conspiracy to murder Lincoln. I didn't know, for example, that Booth and his fellow conspirators tried to kill William Stanton, Secretary of Defense; and vice-president Andrew Johnson, and others on the same evening that John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln with a single-shot derringer at Ford's theatre. I didn't realize that the president's wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, was such a hard pill to swallow and I was completely mystified by the cast of characters who gravitated to and were lead astray by the egoistic and self-absorbed actor who saw himself as the saviour of the doomed Confederacy.

I feel now, after reading this book, a great deal of the gloom that settled down on the nation's capital, much like America felt the pall that fell upon the nation after the Kennedy assassination. It is gratifying to know that most of these miscreants and bumblers who changed history were hanged. Nonetheless, the tragedy always looms larger than whatever satisfaction may be derived from the execution of justice. That heroic men and women can be laid low by the idiot's bullet, that history can be altered by the serendipitous juxtaposition of events, that the best energies of our universe can be thwarted by back-shooting cowards...are facts that haunt us especially much today as we struggle to make sense of political terror and assassinations of large dimension.

Fascinating - You will live that day by reading this book
I truly enjoyed this book. A masterpiece in the sense that it reconstructs the day Lincoln was shot. You will live that day in the 21st century by reading this book. Hour by hour all the actions and conversations of all key personalities have been dissected and presented. This is a great historical forensics book. ... Read more

Book Description

After the heartbreaking death of his son Willie, Abraham Lincoln and his family fled the gloom that hung over the White House, moving into a small cottage outside Washington, on the grounds of the Soldiers' Home, a residence for disabled military veterans. In Lincoln's Sanctuary, historian Matthew Pinsker offers a fascinating portrait of Lincoln's stay in this cottage and tells the story of the president's remarkable growth as a national leader and a private man. Lincoln lived at the Soldiers' Home for a quarter of his presidency, and for nearly half of the critical year of 1862, but most Americans (including many scholars) have not heard of the place. Indeed, this is the first volume to specifically connect this early ""summer White House"" to key wartime developments, including the Emancipation Proclamation, the firing of McClellan, the evolution of Lincoln's ""Father Abraham"" image, the election of 1864, and the assassination conspiracy. Through a series of striking vignettes, the reader discovers a more accessible Lincoln, demonstrating what one visitor to the Soldiers' Home described as his remarkable ""elasticity of spirits."" At his secluded cottage, the president complained to his closest aides, recited poetry to his friends, reconnected with his wife and family, conducted secret meetings with his political enemies, and narrowly avoided assassination attempts. Perhaps most important, he forged key friendships that helped renew his flagging spirits. The cottage became a refuge from the pressures of the White House, a place of tranquility where Lincoln could refresh his mind. Based on research in rarely tapped sources, especially the letters and memoirs of people who lived or worked at the Soldiers' Home, Lincoln's Sanctuary offers the unexpected--a completely fresh view of Abraham Lincoln--through the window of a place that helped shape his presidency. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Something new about Lincoln
This book provides new information about Lincoln and his family, which is highly unusual for someone as researched as Lincoln. Based on letters and recollections of the people who saw him there, this book gives a picture of Lincoln in robe and slippers away from the chaos of the war time White House. A definate addition to what is known about Lincoln.

excellent and timely
This is a well written book and very timely as action is being taken to renovate the Lincoln Cottage. I reside on the grounds of the Soldiers' Home where the cottage is located and know the value of the cottage in our history. The facility is now known as the Armed Forces Retirement Home-Washington. The cottage has always been known as the Anderson Cottage. ... Read more

Book Description

A redesigned issue of the beautifully told story of young Abe Lincoln, drawn from the early chapters of Carl Sandburg's original biography, Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years.
... Read more

Reviews (1)

A home-style, family book for everyone
If you enjoy history and want a clean read that will keep you hooked cover to cover than this is the book for you! I found this children's book a fun read that would be great for adults and kids alike if they are trying to rekindle their innocent, free-spirit days as a child! It takes you from Abe's youth to his adolescent and the history of his aduldhood. What a great read! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

It Tells About...
This book tells all about Abraham Lincoln and his adventures in the Civil War. This was a great book and I hope you enjoy it.

Good Intro for Preschoolers
My four year olds really liked this book and Adler's book on George Washington. We have looked at some of the other books in the series, and the subject matter in some others seems too old for preschoolers. My preschoolers were interested in the Lincoln and Washington books because they liked hearing about presidents and (because they are boys!) wars. But one caution about the Lincoln book: be prepared to talk about Lincoln getting shot (there's an illustration of this happening). Also, the book discusses slavery and depicts a slave auction. The pictures are as innocuous as possible, and my children were not upset, but you should plan in advance for how you are going to introduce this piece of history in an age appropriate way.

Don't waste your money on this book!
Don't bother to buy this book. David Adler merely collectsfacts about the life of Abraham Lincoln and connects them together. Alist of facts do not a story make! Lincoln was a fascinating man, with a sense of humor and a strong will and an honest character who seems to have truly cared for others. None of this comes out in Adler's books. Not even listed as facts in his boring way. I gave the book one star because the artist shouldn't be punished for illustrating the wrong book. But the people in the pictures are barely identifiable. Buy another biography, like Abraham Lincoln, which won a Caldicot award and has been around for decades. I doubt Adler's book will last that long.

Great beginner biography
Perfect biography for first through fourth graders. Adorablecartoon pictures and packed with information. ... Read more

Book Description

Abraham Lincoln: the Great Emancipator, savior of the Union, and revered national hero. Jefferson Davis: defender of slavery, leader of a lost cause, and forlorn object of scorn. Both Lincoln and Davis remain locked in the American psyche as iconic symbols of victory and defeat. They presided over a terrible war that decided the fate of slavery and severely tested each man's resolve and potential for greatness. But, as Brian Dirck shows, such images tend to obscure the larger visions that compelled both men to pursue policies and actions that resulted in such a devastating national tragedy.

Going well beyond most conventional accounts, Dirck examines Lincoln's and Davis's respective ideas concerning national identity, highlighting the strengths and shortcomings of each leader's worldview. By focusing on issues that have often been overlooked in previous studies of Lincoln and Davis--and of the war in general--he reveals the ways in which these two leaders viewed that imagined community called the American nation.

The first comprehensive and detailed study to compare the two men's national imaginations, Dirck's study provides a provocative analysis of how their everyday lives--the influence of fathers and friends, jobs and homes--worked in complex ways to shape Lincoln's and Davis's perceptions of what the American nation was supposed to be and could become and how those images could reject or accommodate the institution of slavery.

Dirck contends that Lincoln subscribed to the notion of a "nation of strangers" in which people never really knew one another's hearts, reflecting his wariness of sentimental attachment, while Davis held to a "community of sentiment" based on honor and comradeship that depended a great deal on emotional bonding. As Dirck shows, these two ideals are very much a part of the current national conversation--among citizens, scholars, and politicians--that has brought Davis back into the fold of great Americans while challenging many of the clichés that surround the Lincoln myth.

Ultimately, Dirck argues, the imagined communities of these two remarkable men transcend the experience of war to illuminate the ongoing debates over what it means to be an American. Through this engaging and original work, he urges a restoration of balance to our understanding--not only of Lincoln and Davis, but also of the contributions made by North and South alike to those debates.

This book is part of the American Political Thought series. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Continuity from 1787-1865.
Brian Dirck's new book on the U.S. and C.S. presidents establishes a surprising amount of continuity in American political thinking between the ratification contest of the late 1780s and the sectional conflict of the 1850s and 1860s.In doing so, it goes a long way to tie together the American Revolution and the Civil War.

In 1787, advocates of ratification of the federal constitution argued that without it, they Union would dissolve.Their vision of American Union was, as Dirck puts it (I paraphrase here), one of impersonal association, a community of strangers.Their opponents, the Antifederalists/Republicans, doubted that the Federalists' apocalyptic rhetoric accurately described reality, because the Antifederalists could not imagine that mere breakdown of the Articles of Confederation would destroy the America they knew in their hearts.They were at times downright blase' about the problems the Federalists perceived in the 1780s because of their sanguine faith in American nationality.

As Dirck shows, Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis had essentially the same understandings of America:Lincoln, the Federalist, and Davis, the Antifederalist.It makes for a very engaging argument, and one that will be of great use for undergraduate teaching.

The only shortcomings of the book come at the very end, where Dirck says that Davis laid the ground for the idea that blacks were depraved and inferior by depicting the Yankees (that is, northern whites) that way. (p. 239) I for one find it unconvincing that anti-black sentiment had its origins in anti-white propaganda.Secondly, he says that Davis' statement that the United States had set upon a policy in which "no quarter is to be given and no sex to be spared" had an innovative "sexual" undertone. (pp. 238-39) Yet, Davis' claim certainly was not innovative, but was a paraphrase of a claim Thomas Jefferson had made about the British king in the Declaration of Independence (Jefferson claimed that George had sicced the Indians, whose rule of war knew no discrimination of age or sex, upon the Americans).These are minor objections, however, and the book certainly repays a careful perusal. ... Read more

Book Description

The quintessential biography of one of America's greatest presidents. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

One of the greatest studies of Lincoln
Though it is dated in some of its facts and assessments,Lord Charnwoods classic study of Lincoln remains one of the dozen or so greatest books ever written about our greatest President.What sets it apart from most other studies of the sixteenth President is the attention it gives the intellectual and spiritual underpinnings of Lincoln's life and actions. It is, in short a work of philosophical history, not a dry recitation of facts. Charnwood is interested in the moral meaning of democracy and the scope and limits of democratic leadership. He performs his task beautifully. I , for one , found his old-fashioned Victorian prose a joy to read, and a relief from the cliche' ridden jargon that too often passes for literate prose today. A great book by a foriegn observer of America, fully worthy of being placed beside Tocqueville and Bryce.

Good, but not a great introduction to Lincoln
This was an excellent historical record of probably the greatest American that ever lived. However, it has long, complex, diffcult to read wording that makes it somewhat labor-intensive reading. The content is great, but there are far easier to read (and understand) books about Lincoln.

excellent and concise. had some uncertian facts though.
interesting in that it was written from a british perspective. i have read several biographies on lincoln and would recommend this book as an introductory volume for those who want to study lincoln, but, as an important volume for those who study general presidential history, civil war, and general american history. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A lot better than I thought it would be!
My mom was always encouraging me to read biograhies. One day, my mom sat me on a chair and forced me to read at least one chapter. I didn't think I would like it, but I loved it! Tons of info on Abe Lincoln! Some conversations were added to make it more interesting, but most of it was true. I am reading tons of bios from the same series (the Childhood of Famous Americans series). I would encouage everyone to read this book and other books of the series!

Interesting.
This has been one of the more interesting biographys I read. This book focoses in more on his childhood than more on his life in polotics. ... Read more

Book Description

This warmly told biography of our sixteenth president is enriched by many authentic but seldom told anecdotes and complemented by bold color illustrations that capture the spirit of Lincoln and his era. ... Read more

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

At the end of the twentieth century, as moral standards decline (especially among public figures), our nation is in need of men and women of character.

In Character Counts, renowned thinker and cultural critic Os Guinness has gathered together short biographical and reflective chapters about four remarkable world figures who not only withstood the extreme adversities of their offices and situations but flourished and grew under pressure. How did they do it?

When did George Washington acquire the courage and tolerance to become the president of a fledgling new democracy?
What enabled William Wilberforce to forge the way for the abolition of slavery and reformation of morals in England?

How did Abraham Lincoln change from an awkward, undereducated country boy into the eloquent and determined leader of a war-torn America?

What inner strength sustained Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn during long years of imprisonment and exile in the Gulag Archipelago?

Concerned citizens and all who are eager to raise the level of character in this generation and the next will draw inspiration from these brief, readable biographies. The four insightful chapters reveal that adversity, apart from its power to overwhelm, has the potential to spotlight true moral character and produce life-changing leaders. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

As this book shows, Lincoln was a great man (get over it!).
I'm dismayed to see the severely outdated political agenda of the Allens of North Carolina overshadow their opinions and reviews of Dr. Guinness' excellent book. I really doubt that the Oxford-educated Dr. Guinness should be "ashamed" of himself for his "lack of scholarship" in any area he chooses to write. Nor do I believe he is simply parroting the "Yankee propaganda," (referred to in another Allen "review") which is an entirely laughable concept.

As for the book:
A person's actions stem from their beliefs, which form their character. We have all seen examples -- at the corporate, political, and personal levels -- of those in leadership exhibiting less-than-ideal character, which corrupted their actions. This wonderful book provides a pleasant contrast to some of our contemporary leaders by examining the lives, actions, and beliefs of some truly amazing people; especially and including Abraham Lincoln, a wartime president who took extraordinary strides and went through unbelievable hardships to preserve our country.

I'm currently reading my 4th book by Dr. Guinness, and have come to admire the author as a very strong Christian thinker and writer. As others have noted, he writes in the tradition of C.S. Lewis, and it is not hard to imagine him speaking to you personally as he guides you through his observations and reasoning.

I also recommend "Fit Bodies, Fat Minds" and "Prophetic Untimeliness," as well as "The Call."

The Dust of Lincoln
In a time when our nation (United States) no longer produces true statesmen with character such as Washington, Mason, Henry, Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, I'm saddened that Abraham Lincoln is seen by the editor as a man of character. It would seem, if one is to be a thinking evangelical, that the horrors that Lincoln permitted in the South would un-nerve the most honest of scholars. Here, Os Guines has done a serious disservice to the orthodox Christian community. Abraham Lincoln rejected the Virginia Peace (which included former president John Tyler) accord and Sen. Critendem's compromise for peace. Surely had Lincoln accepted these plans for peace, thousands of lives could have been saved. But most of all, the total war theory Lincoln allowed is the most offensive and repugnate to any thinking Christian. Women and children were implemented in Lincoln's so called war to save the Union. He jailed opponents of his position, threatened the Supreme Court justice Roger Taney with arrest for writing against his war plan. Lincoln usurped the Constitution of the United States by declaring War against seceded states in violation of Article I sec. 8 (this is solely congress's domain). A nation birthed in secession hardly has the right to chastise those who operated from the same principle i.e. the right to govern themselves and self-determination. Os, you should be ashamed of yourself for lack of scholarship in this arena. Particularly over such a sensitive subject as the American War Between the States (Civil War). A man (Lincoln) who waged an offensive war against those who defended their rights and family against an unjust invasion has no place in a book where character matters. Maybe Robert E. Lee or Joshua Chamberlain could have saved you the embarassment. And no, Lincoln's war was not over slavery. Men do not take bullets so 10 % can own slaves. Character counts, so does scholarship.

Very Fine Little Study
Did the reviewer who found this "dull" read the same book as I did??? This is a very well-crafted, nicely written, penetrating look at some important topics. I greatly enjoyed it.

Required reading?
My school, George Fox University, recommends ("hint": requires) that all students read this book upon enrollment. This book might have been a valuable contribution to the public's outlook on character in public figures, but is incredibly dry and dull in presentation. These historical figures were real people who deserve a bit...well...a life. This book was written for a great purpose, but will never achieve a lasting impact on many people due to the poor judgment of the author in his choice of style of presentation.

by a discouraged Freshman

good biographies
This is a good starting point for the people studied. I found Wilberforce the most interesting, but that was because he was the least known to me.

The force of character in shaping events is an interesting point of reference for a biography.

I can't help but notice that stubbornness was a common trait. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Facts?We don't need no stinking facts!
About 20% of this book is worthwhile reading.The other 80% remains historically inaccurate, mythological, or downright offensive.But I get ahead of myself.

In 1940 Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire won the Caldecott medal for their picture book, "Abraham Lincoln".Like many idealized versions of Mr. Lincoln, this book relied on a couple old standbys.Lincoln was born in a log cabin.Lincoln wore a stovepipe hat.Then it adds a couple new myths to the brew.Lincoln apparently was friends with furry woodland creatures.He fought pirates and carried a scar from a fight with them over his left eyebrow.Finally, the book disintegrates into absolute fabrications.Lincoln, according to this text, was rivals with Stephen A. Douglas for the hand of Mary Todd.Not true.He went to war without provocation specifically to free the slaves.Not true.But how much can you blame a story that was written in 1939?It's possible that back then children's non-fiction books weren't held to the high standards they are today.

Entirely aside from the inaccuracy of the text, the story is deeply offensive to African Americans and Native Americans.Here's a bit of what I mean.As justification for the destruction of the Sauk and Fox tribes (who merely wanted to raise corn on land that had been taken from the Native Americans thirty years earlier) the book says:

"His tribe had sold the land to the 'paleface,' but Black Hawk said: 'Man-ee-do, the great spirit, gave us the land, it couldn't be sold'."

Needless to say, the tribes aren't actually named in this book.They're simply referred to as "Indians".

And the African-Americans?Ecoute:

"The next day President Lincoln walked into the town, holding little Tad by the hand.An old Negro recognized the long, thin man with the tall stove-pipe hat."Here is our saviour," he cried, and threw himself at Lincoln's feet.And suddenly Lincoln was surrounded by Negroes, weeping and rejoicing as they cried: 'Glory, glory hallelujah'."

Totally aside from whether or not that actually happened, it's the accompanying pictures that really drill this image home.The stereotypical African-American with the wide white eyes and big lips is everywhere in this book.From a slave auction, where a mammy-like woman stands on a podium to the vision of a group of happy former slaves praising their "saviour", there are repeated visions of stereotypical blacks not usually found in children's literature.In fact, many of the illustrations in this book suffer from a variety of ills.Some are offensive (don't even start me on the pictures of the Native Americans).Some are silly.There's a shot of Abraham and his sister standing in the woods, stylized tears stuck to their faces.The picture reminds you of nothing so much as one of those 1960s paintings on velvet of big-eyed children, once so popular.Some pictures are poorly constructed.The last shot of Lincoln suffers from such a lack of proper composition and perspective that you could spend hours trying to make it line up.

And what 20% of this book is worth reading?Well, it's hard to get around the fact that there are shockingly few worthwhile books about Abraham Lincoln written with little kids in mind.If you want a fabulous book for older children then run, don't walk, to your nearest independent bookstore and buy "Lincoln: A Photobiography" by Russell Freedman.But for the little ones?As far as I can determine, this is the best you're going to be able to do.It does get kids interested in the life of Lincoln.And it makes him an understandable human being, with hopes and fears of his own.If you don't mind inaccuracies, the occasional poor illustration, and a tendency towards offensive images then this really is your best bet.

Absolutely Wonderful!
This book is in a word, charming. This book is a true story of the life of Abraham Lincoln, from his birth to his presidency.This book is educational and informative, without being dry and boring as many history books tend to be. Children as young as 4 will be interested, as well as kids through the teen years. Simply worded, but not babyish, brilliantly illustrated, but not unreal. Youngsters will learn and retain much about the life of one of our most admired, courageous and beloved presidents. D'Aulaire at his usual shining best! A Caldecott medal/honor book.

A biography of Lincoln for young children.
This is a children's book about the life of Abraham Lincoln. First written and illustrated in 1939, it was expanded in 1957. Most of the book focuses on Lincoln's early life. The illustrations resulted in the book beingawarded the 1940 Caldecott Medal for best illustrations in a children'sbook. It is a book that helps children learn more about U.S. history and agreat president. It is also a book that should be on the shelf of anyserious student of children literature.

Fresh, beautifully illustrated, and lively: a classic
This famous book on Abraham Lincoln (emphasizing his growing up) by the great children's book authors, the d'Aulaires, is as fresh as ever. A sparkling cover. Fascinating and charming illustrations, based on their ownvisit to the locations. Clear, absorbing text. Deserves it's fame. Awonderful introduction. Great fun. ... 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

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