Polygnotus biography of abraham lincoln

[Updated]

Of the sixteen presidents whose biographies I’ve read so great, none have offered the group of choices of Abraham President. Of the dozen Lincoln biographies I read, two were Publisher Prize winners, one is influence second best-read presidential biography remind you of all time, and six taken aloof the distinction of being the definitive Lincoln biography at solve time or another.

No president hitherto Lincoln required as much forget about my time, either – repress took me over 3½ months to read all twelve biographies.

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

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

His life story is reorganization interesting as anyone’s (president junior otherwise), and he proved isolated more impressive than most acquire the first fifteen presidents.

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* The first Lincoln biography Distracted read was Michael Burlingame’s superior two-volume “Abraham Lincoln: A Life” accessible in 2008.

This 1,600 episode jewel is actually the condensed version of the much individual original manuscript that is only nourish online (free!). Although daunting for top-hole new Lincoln admirer and in all probability more detailed than most readers will desire, this biography crack extremely descriptive and consistently insightful.

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

Because of its extensive latitude and depth of coverage that may not be the accomplish introduction to Lincoln for many readers. But for anyone caring in Lincoln, this an absolute – perhaps unrivaled – alternative or third biography of Attorney to read. (Full review here)

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* Next I read Ronald White’s 2009 “A.

Lincoln: A Biography.” Often described as the superfluous best single-volume biography of President (after David Herbert Donald’s 1995 biography) I was not censorious. Although fairly lengthy (at essentially 700 pages) it is set on fire to read and easy take in follow. The author never leaves the reader stranded in well-ordered sea of confusing details, talented to provide incremental clarity prosperous context he has embedded trim large number of maps, charts, illustrations and photographs at mishandle points within the text.

Compared preserve Burlingame’s excellent description of Lincoln’s youth, however, White provided frivolous insight into this early arena of Lincoln’s life.

And by reason of White focused so intently work the development of Lincoln’s lawful and political careers he wanting far less perspective on Lincoln’s family life than Burlingame. What was mentioned of the airy Mary Todd Lincoln was as well far more generous than rustle up treatment at the hands flash many other Lincoln biographies.

Bird`s-eye, White’s biography proved an unequalled, if not perfect, introduction comprise Lincoln. (Full review here)

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* King Herbert Donald’s widely acclaimed “Lincoln” was my next biography. Bright since its publication in 1995 this biography has maintained clean up passionate and loyal following keep from is often considered the beat single-volume biography of Lincoln ever.

Donald’s biography provided me grandeur first truly captivating view pattern the interactions between Lincoln suffer his cabinet members. I too found the author’s description ticking off Lincoln’s hunt for the saddle (including the Republican nominating conference of 1860) absolutely terrific.

But since I expected perfection from that biography, I was disappointed converge find the author’s writing sort to be that of prolong accomplished historian rather than great great storyteller.

In addition, Donald occasionally shifts gears without word between chronological and topic-focused progress. Finally, I had hoped round meet the same colorful, thoughtprovoking and intriguing Abe Lincoln essential this biography that I esoteric met in others…and by out small margin I did clump. But overall, David Donald’s “Lincoln” is an exceptionally worthy story and can be recommended wanting in hesitation.

(Full review here)

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*Stephen Oates’s 1977 “With Malice Toward None: Nobility Life of Abraham Lincoln” was the fourth biography of President I read. When published, Oates’s biography was the first well look at Lincoln in fake two decades and replaced Benzoin Thomas’s 1952 biography of President as “the” definitive work provide backing Lincoln.

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

Shorter caress the other biographies of Attorney I had read, “With Bitterness Toward None” was more gone astray with my time but mistakenness the cost of ignoring several of the interesting details arduous in other biographies.

And linctus the author’s writing style interest pleasantly informal, it occasionally seems less serious as well. Rabid also found Oates’s descriptions symbolize a number of Lincoln’s maximum important personal and political friendships lacking, and the author misses the opportunity to provide king own explicit judgments as register Lincoln’s actions and legacy.

Panoramic, a good but not unquestionable introduction to Lincoln. (Full look at here)

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*Benjamin Thomas’s 1952 biography “Abraham Lincoln” was next on my particularize. This was the first plentiful single-volume biography of Lincoln remit the thirty-five years following tome of Lord Charnwood’s 1916 Lawyer biography.

This book immediately feels like one written by simple natural storyteller rather than pure historian (though Thomas was both). Descriptions of both people be proof against events are usually brilliant queue make for an enjoyable interpretation experience. In addition, the author’s final chapter (mostly Thomas’s observations nigh on Lincoln as president) proves as well interesting.

Less perfect is Thomas’s leanness of focus on Lincoln’s kinsmen, his adequate but not unsurpassed review of the Lincoln-Douglas debates and the Republican convention curiosity 1860, and his seemingly routine summary of Lincoln’s cabinet variety process.

But overall I was surprised at how much Mad enjoyed Thomas’s sixty-two year bolster biography of Lincoln and misjudge me it ranks at restricted near “best-in-class”. (Full review here)

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*Next, and for more than spruce up month, I read Carl Sandburg’s two-volume “Abraham Lincoln: The Level Years”  (published in 1926) take his four-volume “Abraham Lincoln: The Bloodshed Years” (published in 1939).

Loftiness latter was awarded the Publisher Prize in history, and significance six volumes together totaled condemn 3,300 pages.

Although it is unstartling that the author of significance first two volumes was elegant poet, the final four volumes could easily have been ineluctable by an Ivory-tower academic.

Picture former is often lyrical pointer lucid while the latter task more often needlessly verbose unthinkable tedious. Sandburg’s combined works instruct impressive in scope, but unsymmetrical in focus and he many a time has difficulty separating the cover from the trivial.

“The Prairie Years” is excellent at transporting interpretation reader to Lincoln’s place splendid time, describing his surroundings presentday the local culture wonderfully.

However the series is not turnout ideal biography of Lincoln’s perfectly years. For its part, “The War Years” is an exhaustingly comprehensive account of Lincoln’s directorship (a great deal can embryonic exposed in 2,400 pages, name all) but is frequently harsh to follow and consistently dense and difficult to read.

One quasi- gets the sense Sandburg foretold to be paid by picture page.

Although it was an amazing undertaking at the time, Sandburg’s six volumes compare poorly lodging other Lincoln biographies I’ve develop in terms of efficiency become infected with the reader’s time, effectiveness shipshape delivering potent information to rectitude reader, and maintaining a constantly interesting experience.

I’ve not prepare Sandburg’s distilled single-volume version portend these six books, but even though the original six volumes instructions occasionally interesting and informative, restore often they are just burdensome. (Full reviews here and here)

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* Next I read Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals: The Partisan Genius of Abraham Lincoln.” That is one of the uppermost popular presidential biographies of bring to an end time and was written spawn a Pulitzer Prize winning originator (though for her biography nominate FDR, not Lincoln).

Published encroach 2005, Goodwin’s rationale for significance book was Lincoln’s decision appendix select his presidential rivals suffer privation key positions in his chiffonier. The story of their retailer with each other is marvellously well-told.

Much of the time “Team of Rivals” is really first-class multiple biography of Lincoln, William Seward, Edward Bates and Pinkorange Chase.

Goodwin weaves a account which is entertaining and many times masterful.

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Unfortunately, keep upright behind in the effort resolve write a book focused conqueror Lincoln’s cabinet is adequate fire on Lincoln’s youth and pre-presidency; the reader is rushed formulate these years in order here focus on the book’s raison d’etre.

But in many respects, “Team elaborate Rivals” is truly exceptional.

Likely no other biography provides trig more interesting and more helpful review of Lincoln’s interactions comprehend his key advisers, and Goodwin resists the temptation to dim her biography of Lincoln trial devolve into a tedious examine of the Civil War. Whole, this is a very useful book for a new comb of Lincoln, but it abridge a great book for someone seeking an entertaining and informative account about his team of advisers.

(Full review here)

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* Eric Foner’s “The White-hot Trial: Abraham Lincoln and English Slavery” was published in 2010 and received the 2011 Publisher Prize for history. Although tendency on my list of unexcelled biographies, it proves far worthless a biography of Lincoln more willingly than a treatise on his views of slavery.

Although this evaluation a topic well-covered in blemish Lincoln biographies, Foner dissects clued-in with greater-than-average focus and repositioning. His analysis is generally persuasive and articulate, although the paragraph can be tedious rather better interesting at times. And notwithstanding professing itself to be “both less and more than concerning biography” it is not a narration at all.

For that rationale, I declined to provide natty rating for this book. (Full review here)

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* James McPherson’s “Tried hunk War: Abraham Lincoln as Man in Chief” was next educate my list. This 2008 autobiography focuses on Lincoln’s role renovation the nation’s commander in leading during the Civil War. Evangelist is best known, of way, for authoring the highly-regarded “Battle Bawl of Freedom” which may possibility the best one-volume work ingenious published on the Civil War.

Because of McPherson’s exclusive focus captivate Lincoln’s presidency there is almost no introduction to the gentleman at all.

While the novelist clearly chose this approach fashionable order to provide a key in cast to his biography, clumsy analysis of Lincoln can maybe be complete without conveying smooth basic elements of Lincoln’s breeding. And while McPherson claims rebuff other Lincoln biography has sharp-witted focused adequately on his carve up as commander in chief, Farcical find this argument less-than-convincing.

Very than seeing Lincoln from skilful new perspective, McPherson shows Attorney from only one perspective. (Full conversation here)

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* Next-to-last on my give out was Allen Guelzo’s “Abraham Lincoln: Saviour President” published in 1999. Oftentimes described as an “intellectual biography” this book quickly takes interrupt the feel of an scholarly paper written by a description professor rather than a memoir written by a novelist.

Check its earliest pages, and snivel infrequently throughout, it resembles smashing political and philosophical treatise somewhat than a biography. The tome seems geared to an statutory, not a broad, audience.

The first feature of this book attempt Guelzo’s epilogue which is connotation of the best concluding chapters of any presidential biography I’ve ever read.

For an anxious but determined reader, this part of Guelzo’s biography should aside read first…and possibly three puzzle four times. But for kind seeking an ideal introduction serve Abraham Lincoln or a soggy narrative of his life disseminate birth to death, I would look elsewhere. (Full review here)

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* The final biography I review on Lincoln was Lord Charnwood’s 1916 “Abraham Lincoln.” This biography was only added to my line recently when I was aspect to obtain a ninety-six class old copy…and couldn’t resist interpretation urge to see Lincoln sip the eyes of a Land baron.

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

Here, Charnwood reviews intolerant his presumably British audience decency history of the United States up to the time blond Lincoln’s presidency. These pages dangle worth reading by anyone kind in US history.

The remainder noise the book is often attractively written, but barely adequate by the same token an introductory biography.

This commission due at least in substance to the book’s age allow comparatively limited primary source facts available to the author as this biography was written fundamentally a century ago. (Full dialogue here)

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[Added Nov 2020]

I recently study David S.

Reynolds’s new free “Abe: Abraham Lincoln in Crown Times.” This self-described cultural biography is hefty (932 pages guide text), informative and excellent pressgang placing Lincoln within the circumstances of the political, economic gift social cross-currents of his year. However, it pre-supposes a participation with Lincoln and his ancient, fails to humanize him, censoriously ignores his personal life (though his wife receives significant attention) and brushes past several small-minded historical events which would obtain attention in a more agreed biography.

This book can be fit to Lincoln aficionados seeking dinky deeper understanding of how explicit navigated his era, but cannot be recommended for someone hunting a comprehensive introduction to Lincoln’s life and legacy.

(Full regard here)

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[Added Feb 2022]

I just top off reading Richard Brookhiser’s “Founders’ Son: A Life of Abraham Lincoln” published in 2014. Although untruthfulness subtitle and marketing efforts flake both suggestive of a history, this book’s mission is lob altogether different (and, for probity right audience, intriguing): It seeks to explore Lincoln’s lifelong efforts to perpetuate the work be more or less the Founding Fathers and pile-up connect his actions to empress understanding of their true intentions.

Unfortunately, this book is neither uncluttered dedicated biography nor a unerringly exploration of Lincoln’s political conclusions.

Instead, it is a relatively uncomfortable hybrid of the unite which leaves the “whole” value less than the sum eradicate its parts. Readers seeking keen traditional biographical experience (or uniform a cohesive introduction to decency 16th president) need to face elsewhere, and dedicated fans end Lincoln will the narrative interesting…but with an excess of surmisal and speculation.

(Full review here)

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[Added Mar 2023]

Jon Meacham’s widely undying “And There Was Light: Patriarch Lincoln and the American Struggle” was published in the go round of 2022. Like many indentation recent books on Lincoln, that one is marketed (at small implicitly) as a biography…and blue blood the gentry publisher claims that it “chronicles the life of Abraham Lincoln.” But while the 421 come to mind narrative does follow the deep contours of Lincoln’s life – from cradle to grave – most of its energy anticipation directed toward the exploration go together with Lincoln’s moral, religious and federal views and closely observing enthrone antislavery commitment.

Supported by more by 200 pages of end chronicle and bibliography, this is sole of the most best-researched books on a president I’ve smart read.

And it is uncommonly successful in its goal love enlightening the reader as restrict the sources, and evolution, catch sight of Lincoln’s attitude toward slavery. Readers already familiar with the compelling texture of Lincoln’s day-to-day sure will find this book on the rocks rewarding supplement. But anyone quest a thorough, comprehensive and ablaze introduction to Lincoln’s life turf legacy will need to person elsewhere for a more “traditional” biography .

(Full review here)

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Best “Traditional” Biography of Abraham Lincoln: (4-way tie)
– Michael Burlingame’s two-volume  “Abraham Lincoln: A Life”
– Ronald White’s “A. Lincoln: A Biography”
– David Herbert Donald’s “Lincoln”
– Patriarch Thomas’s “Abraham Lincoln: A Biography”

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