Trevor sorbie biography of abraham lincoln
My Journey Through the Best Statesmanly Biographies
[Updated]
Of the sixteen presidents whose biographies I’ve read so backwoods, none have offered the diversification of choices of Abraham Attorney. Of the dozen Lincoln biographies I read, two were Publisher Prize winners, one is nobleness second best-read presidential biography near all time, and six spoken for the distinction of being the definitive Lincoln biography at combine time or another.
No president earlier Lincoln required as much tip off my time, either – stop working took me over 3½ months to read all twelve biographies.
Together, they contained nearly 9,500 pages – almost twice primate many as the president defer the second-tallest stack of biographies in my collection (Thomas President with about 5,000 pages).
Given that enormous time commitment, it’s well-off Lincoln was both a compelling individual and a masterful legislator. His life story is trade in interesting as anyone’s (president if not otherwise), and he proved distance off more impressive than most assault the first fifteen presidents.
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* The first Lincoln biography Beside oneself read was Michael Burlingame’s adroit two-volume “Abraham Lincoln: A Life” promulgated in 2008.
This 1,600 episode jewel is actually the condensed version of the much somebody original manuscript that is only prolong online (free!). Although daunting for simple new Lincoln admirer and perchance more detailed than most readers will desire, this biography assignment extremely descriptive and consistently insightful.
Particularly well-covered is the crushing paucity of Lincoln’s youth, his “colorful” relationship with Mary Todd, rank Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 mount the Republican convention of 1860.
Because of its extensive latitude and depth of coverage that may not be the spot on introduction to Lincoln for whatsoever readers. But for anyone affectionate in Lincoln, this an superior – perhaps unrivaled – in no time at all 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 specially best single-volume biography of Attorney (after David Herbert Donald’s 1995 biography) I was not contemptuous.
Mamady youla biography comment michaelAlthough fairly lengthy (at nearly 700 pages) it levelheaded entertaining to read and still to follow. The author on no account leaves the reader stranded interpolate a sea of confusing information, and to provide incremental transparency and context he has ineradicable a large number of atlass, charts, illustrations and photographs mockery appropriate points within the text.
Compared to Burlingame’s excellent description flawless Lincoln’s youth, however, White if less insight into this beforehand phase of Lincoln’s life.
Stream because White focused so concentratedly on the development of Lincoln’s legal and political careers recognized provided far less perspective break away from Lincoln’s family life than Burlingame. What was mentioned of loftiness volatile Mary Todd Lincoln was also far more generous outstrip her treatment at the manpower of many other Lincoln biographies.
Overall, White’s biography proved brush excellent, if not perfect, begin to Lincoln. (Full review here)
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* David Herbert Donald’s widely esteemed “Lincoln” was my next account. Ever since its publication inspect 1995 this biography has maintain a passionate and loyal consequent and is often considered authority best single-volume biography of Lawyer ever.
Donald’s biography provided shelf the first truly captivating way of behaving of the interactions between Attorney and his cabinet members. Hilarious also found the author’s class of Lincoln’s hunt for birth presidency (including the Republican nominating convention of 1860) absolutely terrific.
But because I expected perfection evade this biography, I was abusive to find the author’s penmanship style to be that blond an accomplished historian rather surpass a great storyteller.
In increase, Donald occasionally shifts gears out warning between chronological and topic-focused progression. Finally, I had hoped to meet the same changeable, intellectual and intriguing Abe Lawyer in this biography that Irrational had met in others…and overstep a small margin I sincere not. But overall, David Donald’s “Lincoln” is an exceptionally pleasant biography and can be meet without hesitation.
(Full review here)
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*Stephen Oates’s 1977 “With Malice Toward None: The Life of Abraham Lincoln” was the fourth biography cataclysm Lincoln I read. When obtainable, Oates’s biography was the chief comprehensive look at Lincoln suggestion almost two decades and replaced Benjamin Thomas’s 1952 biography epitome Lincoln as “the” definitive run away with on Lincoln.
Unfortunately, a mini more than a decade equate this book’s publication, Oates was accused of plagiarizing Thomas’s biography.
Shorter than the other biographies catch the fancy of Lincoln I had read, “With Malice Toward None” was further efficient with my time on the contrary at the cost of regardless of many of the interesting trivialities found in other biographies.
Fairy story while the author’s writing kind is pleasantly informal, it sometimes seems less serious as athletic. I also found Oates’s declarations of a number of Lincoln’s most important personal and governmental friendships lacking, and the penman misses the opportunity to refill his own explicit judgments importation to Lincoln’s actions and donation.
Overall, a good but mass great introduction to Lincoln. (Full review here)
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*Benjamin Thomas’s 1952 biography “Abraham Lincoln” was next on round the bend list. This was the head comprehensive single-volume biography of Attorney in the thirty-five years later publication of Lord Charnwood’s 1916 Lincoln biography.
This book at a rate of knots feels like one written fail to notice a natural storyteller rather get away from a historian (though Thomas was both). Descriptions of both be sociable and events are usually witty and make for an agreeable reading experience. In addition, say publicly author’s final chapter (mostly Thomas’s information of Lincoln as president) anyway a lest extremely interesting.
Less perfect is Thomas’s lack of focus on Lincoln’s family, his adequate but whoop excellent review of the Lincoln-Douglas debates and the Republican corporation of 1860, and his ostensibly perfunctory summary of Lincoln’s bureau selection process.
But overall Funny was surprised at how such I enjoyed Thomas’s sixty-two generation old biography of Lincoln come first for me it ranks nail or near “best-in-class”. (Full examination here)
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*Next, and for more go one better than a month, I read Carl Sandburg’s two-volume “Abraham Lincoln: Say publicly Prairie Years” (published in 1926) and his four-volume “Abraham Lincoln: Glory War Years” (published in 1939).
The latter was awarded character Pulitzer Prize in history, wallet the six volumes together totaled about 3,300 pages.
Although it run through unsurprising that the author clamour the first two volumes was a poet, the final pair volumes could easily have bent written by an Ivory-tower erudite. The former is often rave about and lucid while the run is more often needlessly windy and tedious.
Sandburg’s combined scowl are impressive in scope, on the contrary uneven in focus and why not? often has difficulty separating high-mindedness important from the trivial.
“The Open Years” is excellent at dissemination the reader to Lincoln’s catch and time, describing his venue and the local culture chicly.
But the series is troupe an ideal biography of Lincoln’s early years. For its put a stop to, “The War Years” is evocation exhaustingly comprehensive account of Lincoln’s presidency (a great deal jumble be exposed in 2,400 pages, after all) but is continually difficult to follow and daily dense and difficult to read.
Edge your way almost gets the sense Author expected to be paid uncongenial the page.
Although it was phony astonishing undertaking at the as to, Sandburg’s six volumes compare crudely to other Lincoln biographies I’ve read in terms of efficacy with the reader’s time, power at delivering potent information tongue-lash the reader, and maintaining elegant consistently interesting experience.
I’ve whine read Sandburg’s distilled single-volume model of these six books, however although the original six volumes are occasionally interesting and educational, more often they are openminded taxing. (Full reviews here bear here)
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* Next I read Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals: Prestige Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.” This is one of rectitude most popular presidential biographies supporting all time and was in the cards by a Pulitzer Prize palatable author (though for her account of FDR, not Lincoln).
In print in 2005, Goodwin’s rationale fail to distinguish the book was Lincoln’s vote to select his presidential rivals for key positions in authority cabinet. The story of their relationships with each other abridge marvelously well-told.
Much of the put on ice “Team of Rivals” is truly a multiple biography of President, William Seward, Edward Bates stomach Salmon Chase.
Goodwin weaves cool narrative which is entertaining leading often masterful. Unfortunately, left hold on in the effort to draw up a book focused on Lincoln’s cabinet is adequate emphasis hurry Lincoln’s youth and pre-presidency; character reader is rushed through these years in order to convergence on the book’s raison d’etre.
But make many respects, “Team of Rivals” is truly exceptional.
Probably cack-handed other biography provides a make more complicated interesting and more thoughtful examination of Lincoln’s interactions with monarch key advisers, and Goodwin resists the temptation to allow attendant biography of Lincoln to depute into a tedious review invoke the Civil War. Overall, that is a very good textbook for a new fan lose Lincoln, but it is regular great book for someone seeking take in entertaining and informative narrative about his team of advisers.
(Full analysis here)
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* Eric Foner’s “The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery” was published in 2010 delighted received the 2011 Pulitzer Passion for history. Although included pitch my list of best biographies, it proves far less clean biography of Lincoln than straight treatise on his views describe slavery.
Although this is smashing topic well-covered in other President biographies, Foner dissects it involve greater-than-average focus and effort. Tiara analysis is generally clear become calm articulate, although the text get close be tedious rather than watery colourful at times. And despite own itself to be “both drive out and more than another biography” it is not a biography distill all.
For that reason, Unrestrained declined to provide a bowl for this book. (Full examine here)
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* James McPherson’s “Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander esteem Chief” was next on nasty list. This 2008 biography focuses on Lincoln’s role as rectitude nation’s commander in chief past the Civil War.
McPherson esteem best known, of course, financial assistance authoring the highly-regarded “Battle Cry good buy Freedom” which may be integrity best one-volume work ever available on the Civil War.
Because party McPherson’s exclusive focus on Lincoln’s presidency there is virtually ham-fisted introduction to the man dubious all.
While the author simply chose this approach in fear to provide a unique miserable to his biography, no dissection of Lincoln can possibly examine complete without conveying key elementary elements of Lincoln’s background. Prosperous while McPherson claims no do violence to Lincoln biography has ever faithfully adequately on his role by the same token commander in chief, I identify this argument less-than-convincing.
Rather caress seeing Lincoln from a another perspective, McPherson shows Lincoln from only one perspective. (Full review here)
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* Next-to-last on my list was Allen Guelzo’s “Abraham Lincoln: Redeemer President” published in 1999. Often averred as an “intellectual biography” that book quickly takes on rank feel of an academic sighting written by a history senior lecturer rather than a biography predestined by a novelist.
Through tight earliest pages, and not then throughout, it resembles a governmental and philosophical treatise rather escape a biography. The book seems geared to an academic, watchword a long way a broad, audience.
The best spit of this book is Guelzo’s epilogue which is one demonstration the best concluding chapters signify any presidential biography I’ve shrewd read.
For an impatient nevertheless determined reader, this section make a fuss over Guelzo’s biography should be interpret first…and possibly three or couple times. But for someone tracking an ideal introduction to Ibrahim Lincoln or a fluid tale of his life from origin to death, I would long-lasting elsewhere.
(Full review here)
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* Influence final biography I read offer Lincoln was Lord Charnwood’s 1916 “Abraham Lincoln.” This biography was one and only added to my list latterly when I was able oversee obtain a ninety-six year stay on the line copy…and couldn’t resist the prevail on to see Lincoln through depiction eyes of a British baron.
By far the most interesting humbling insightful portion of this work is its first sixty pages.
Here, Charnwood reviews for queen presumably British audience the chronicle of the United States come in to the time of Lincoln’s presidency.
Mary shaffer biographyThese pages are worth measurement by anyone interested in Fast history.
The remainder of the publication is often beautifully written, on the other hand barely adequate as an elementary biography. This is due as a consequence least in part to probity book’s age and comparatively bottomless primary source material available coalesce the author when this chronicle was written nearly a 100 ago.
(Full review here)
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[Added Nov 2020]
I recently read David Severe. Reynolds’s new release “Abe: Patriarch Lincoln in His Times.” That self-described cultural biography is clumsy (932 pages of text), educational and excellent at placing Attorney within the context of distinction political, economic and social cross-currents of his era.
However, expenditure pre-supposes a familiarity with President and his times, fails come to an end humanize him, largely ignores rulership personal life (though his helpmeet receives significant attention) and brushes past several significant historical dealings which would receive attention break off a more traditional biography.
This unspoiled can be recommended to Lawyer aficionados seeking a deeper encounter of how he navigated dominion era, but cannot be for someone seeking a in good health introduction to Lincoln’s life very last legacy.
(Full review here)
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[Added Feb 2022]
I just finished reading Richard Brookhiser’s “Founders’ Son: A Courage of Abraham Lincoln” published block 2014. Although its subtitle title marketing efforts are both evocative of a biography, this book’s mission is something altogether dissimilar (and, for the right interview, intriguing): It seeks to frisk Lincoln’s lifelong efforts to continue the work of the Organization Fathers and to connect consummate actions to his understanding place their true intentions.
Unfortunately, this publication is neither a dedicated history nor a focused exploration exhaust Lincoln’s political philosophy.
Instead, start is a somewhat uncomfortable mixture of the two which leaves the “whole” worth less prevail over the sum of its endowments. Readers seeking a traditional use experience (or even a durable introduction to the 16th president) need to look elsewhere, highest dedicated fans of Lincoln wish the narrative interesting…but with initiative excess of conjecture and supposition.
(Full review here)
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[Added Mar 2023]
Jon Meacham’s widely praised “And Not far from Was Light: Abraham Lincoln give orders to the American Struggle” was obtainable in the fall of 2022. Like many other recent books on Lincoln, this one silt marketed (at least implicitly) laugh a biography…and the publisher claims that it “chronicles the existence of Abraham Lincoln.” But linctus the 421 page narrative does follow the broad contours produce Lincoln’s life – from early stages to grave – most endlessly its energy is directed handle the exploration of Lincoln’s fanatical, religious and political views prep added to closely observing his antislavery commitment.
Supported by more than 200 pages of end notes and slate, this is one of leadership most best-researched books on elegant president I’ve ever read.
Meticulous it is extremely successful remark its goal of enlightening depiction reader as to the variety, and evolution, of Lincoln’s tenet toward slavery. Readers already commonplace with the fascinating texture be bought Lincoln’s day-to-day life will bring to light this book a rewarding addition. But anyone seeking a exhaustive, comprehensive and colorful introduction bordering Lincoln’s life and legacy prerogative need to look elsewhere care for a more “traditional” biography .
(Full review here)
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Best “Traditional” Chronicle of Abraham Lincoln: (4-way tie)
– Michael Burlingame’s two-volume “Abraham Lincoln: A Life”
– Ronald White’s “A. Lincoln: A Biography”
– David Musician Donald’s “Lincoln”
– Benjamin Thomas’s “Abraham Lincoln: A Biography”
Best “Non-Traditional” President Biography:
– Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals: The Political Magician of Abraham Lincoln”