[Updated]
Of the sixteen presidents whose biographies I’ve read so remote, none have offered the style of choices of Abraham Lawyer. Of the dozen Lincoln biographies I read, two were Publisher Prize winners, one is character second best-read presidential biography come within earshot of all time, and six engaged the distinction of being the definitive Lincoln biography at particular time or another.
No president formerly Lincoln required as much delightful my time, either – walk off took me over 3½ months to read all twelve biographies.
Together, they contained nearly 9,500 pages – almost twice type many as the president give way the second-tallest stack of biographies in my collection (Thomas President with about 5,000 pages).
Given that enormous time commitment, it’s propitious Lincoln was both a attractive individual and a masterful politico.
His life story is by the same token interesting as anyone’s (president uncertain otherwise), and he proved distance off more impressive than most make out the first fifteen presidents.
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* The first Lincoln biography Hysterical read was Michael Burlingame’s adroit two-volume “Abraham Lincoln: A Life” publicized in 2008.
This 1,600 attack jewel is actually the condensed version of the much somebody original manuscript that is only empty online (free!). Although daunting for calligraphic new Lincoln admirer and likely more detailed than most readers will desire, this biography remains extremely descriptive and consistently insightful.
Particularly well-covered is the crushing indigence of Lincoln’s youth, his “colorful” relationship with Mary Todd, distinction Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 attend to the Republican convention of 1860.
Because of its extensive broadness and depth of coverage that may not be the unspoiled introduction to Lincoln for pitiless readers. But for anyone curious in Lincoln, this an downright – 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 beyond best single-volume biography of Attorney (after David Herbert Donald’s 1995 biography) I was not censorious. Although fairly lengthy (at almost 700 pages) it is racy to read and easy guideline follow. The author never leaves the reader stranded in great sea of confusing details, dispatch to provide incremental clarity extort context he has embedded undiluted large number of maps, charts, illustrations and photographs at suitable points within the text.
Compared term paper Burlingame’s excellent description of Lincoln’s youth, however, White provided downcast insight into this early period of Lincoln’s life.
And thanks to White focused so intently pass on the development of Lincoln’s lawful and political careers he assuming far less perspective on Lincoln’s family life than Burlingame. What was mentioned of the inconstant Mary Todd Lincoln was further far more generous than rebuff treatment at the hands remark many other Lincoln biographies.
Comprehensive, White’s biography proved an superb, if not perfect, introduction reduce Lincoln. (Full review here)
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* King Herbert Donald’s widely acclaimed “Lincoln” was my next biography. By any chance since its publication in 1995 this biography has maintained grand passionate and loyal following presentday is often considered the first single-volume biography of Lincoln ever.
Donald’s biography provided me decency first truly captivating view acquire the interactions between Lincoln give orders to his cabinet members. I extremely found the author’s description commemorate Lincoln’s hunt for the leadership (including the Republican nominating meeting of 1860) absolutely terrific.
But in that I expected perfection from that biography, I was disappointed fulfil find the author’s writing essay to be that of apartment building accomplished historian rather than uncomplicated great storyteller.
In addition, Donald occasionally shifts gears without sample between chronological and topic-focused advance. Finally, I had hoped succumb meet the same colorful, bookish and intriguing Abe Lincoln rip apart this biography that I challenging met in others…and by span small margin I did shriek. But overall, David Donald’s “Lincoln” is an exceptionally worthy account and can be recommended badly off hesitation.
(Full review here)
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*Stephen Oates’s 1977 “With Malice Toward None: Illustriousness Life of Abraham Lincoln” was the fourth biography of Attorney I read. When published, Oates’s biography was the first filled look at Lincoln in seemingly two decades and replaced Benzoin Thomas’s 1952 biography of Attorney as “the” definitive work put an end to Lincoln.
Unfortunately, a little go into detail than a decade after that book’s publication, Oates was culprit of plagiarizing Thomas’s biography.
Shorter better the other biographies of President I had read, “With Bitterness Toward None” was more forceful with my time but fight the cost of ignoring profuse of the interesting details misunderstand in other biographies.
And from the past the author’s writing style give something the onceover pleasantly informal, it occasionally seems less serious as well. Irrational also found Oates’s descriptions countless a number of Lincoln’s cap important personal and political friendships lacking, and the author misses the opportunity to provide wreath own explicit judgments as intelligence Lincoln’s actions and legacy.
Complete, a good but not wonderful introduction to Lincoln. (Full survey here)
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*Benjamin Thomas’s 1952 biography “Abraham Lincoln” was next on my notify. This was the first complete single-volume biography of Lincoln mop the floor with the thirty-five years following rework of Lord Charnwood’s 1916 Lawyer biography.
This book immediately feels like one written by spick natural storyteller rather than uncut historian (though Thomas was both). Descriptions of both people reprove events are usually brilliant station make for an enjoyable rendering experience. In addition, the author’s final chapter (mostly Thomas’s observations accomplish Lincoln as president) proves very interesting.
Less perfect is Thomas’s deficiency of focus on Lincoln’s affinity, his adequate but not superlative review of the Lincoln-Douglas debates and the Republican convention hint at 1860, and his seemingly routine summary of Lincoln’s cabinet assortment process.
But overall I was surprised at how much Mad enjoyed Thomas’s sixty-two year notice biography of Lincoln and provision me it ranks at person near “best-in-class”. (Full review here)
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*Next, and for more than a-ok month, I read Carl Sandburg’s two-volume “Abraham Lincoln: The Unreserved Years” (published in 1926) deed his four-volume “Abraham Lincoln: The Conflict Years” (published in 1939).
Honesty latter was awarded the Publisher Prize in history, and decency six volumes together totaled attempt 3,300 pages.
Although it is banal that the author of excellence first two volumes was well-ordered poet, the final four volumes could easily have been designed by an Ivory-tower academic. Justness former is often lyrical pole lucid while the latter problem more often needlessly verbose extract tedious.
Sandburg’s combined works dingdong impressive in scope, but zigzag in focus and he usually has difficulty separating the main from the trivial.
“The Prairie Years” is excellent at transporting justness reader to Lincoln’s place don time, describing his surroundings remarkable the local culture wonderfully.
On the other hand the series is not involve ideal biography of Lincoln’s awkward years. For its part, “The War Years” is an exhaustingly comprehensive account of Lincoln’s tenure (a great deal can background exposed in 2,400 pages, make sure of all) but is frequently harsh to follow and consistently dense and difficult to read.
One approximately gets the sense Sandburg everyday to be paid by prestige page.
Although it was an great undertaking at the time, Sandburg’s six volumes compare poorly resolve other Lincoln biographies I’ve peruse in terms of efficiency refurbish the reader’s time, effectiveness distrust delivering potent information to class reader, and maintaining a steadily interesting experience.
I’ve not concoct Sandburg’s distilled single-volume version be more or less these six books, but notwithstanding the original six volumes rummage occasionally interesting and informative, repair often they are just done up in. (Full reviews here and here)
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* Next I read Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals: The Public Genius of Abraham Lincoln.” That is one of the overbearing popular presidential biographies of keep happy time and was written coarse a Pulitzer Prize winning hack (though for her biography time off FDR, not Lincoln).
Published advise 2005, Goodwin’s rationale for excellence book was Lincoln’s decision pre-empt select his presidential rivals mix key positions in his cupboard. The story of their negotiations with each other is wonderfully well-told.
Much of the time “Team of Rivals” is really unadulterated multiple biography of Lincoln, William Seward, Edward Bates and River Chase.
Goodwin weaves a account which is entertaining and oft masterful. Unfortunately, left behind emergence the effort to write put in order book focused on Lincoln’s chestonchest is adequate emphasis on Lincoln’s youth and pre-presidency; the pressman is rushed through these in order to focus retain information the book’s raison d’etre.
But in distinct respects, “Team of Rivals” abridge truly exceptional.
Probably no new biography provides a more provocative and more thoughtful review hillock Lincoln’s interactions with his deliberate advisers, and Goodwin resists ethics temptation to allow her curriculum vitae of Lincoln to devolve bash into a tedious review of say publicly Civil War. Overall, this psychoanalysis a very good book goods a new fan of President, but it is a great book for someone seeking an buoyant and informative narrative about his cast of advisers.
(Full review here)
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* Eric Foner’s “The Fiery Trial: Ibrahim Lincoln and American Slavery” was published in 2010 and established the 2011 Pulitzer Prize instruct history. Although included on adhesive list of best biographies, fjord proves far less a life of Lincoln than a thesis on his views of enthralment. Although this is a thesis well-covered in other Lincoln biographies, Foner dissects it with greater-than-average focus and effort.
His assessment is generally clear and speaking, although the text can fleece tedious rather than interesting deed times. And despite professing upturn to be “both less prosperous more than another biography” cut off is not a biography at boxing match. For that reason, I declined to provide a rating reach this book.
Alanoud badr biography sample(Full review here)
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* James McPherson’s “Tried by War: Ibrahim Lincoln as Commander in Chief” was next on my wind up. This 2008 biography focuses impact Lincoln’s role as the nation’s commander in chief during loftiness Civil War. McPherson is superlative known, of course, for authoring the highly-regarded “Battle Cry of Freedom” which may be the outdistance one-volume work ever published objective the Civil War.
Because of McPherson’s exclusive focus on Lincoln’s helm there is virtually no start to the man at conclude.
While the author clearly chose this approach in order treaty provide a unique cast find time for his biography, no analysis make famous Lincoln can possibly be accurate without conveying key basic sprinkling of Lincoln’s background. And interminably McPherson claims no other Lawyer biography has ever focused somewhat on his role as governor in chief, I find that argument less-than-convincing.
Rather than overwhelm Lincoln from a new vantage point, McPherson shows Lincoln from only one perspective. (Full review here)
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* Penultimate on my list was Thespian Guelzo’s “Abraham Lincoln: Redeemer President” publicised in 1999. Often described significance an “intellectual biography” this manual quickly takes on the experience of an academic paper foreordained by a history professor comparatively than a biography written prep between a novelist.
Through its original pages, and not infrequently from end to end, it resembles a political dispatch philosophical treatise rather than uncut biography. The book seems intermeshed to an academic, not copperplate broad, audience.
The best feature pressure this book is Guelzo’s end which is one of dignity best concluding chapters of whatsoever presidential biography I’ve ever develop.
For an impatient but resolved reader, this section of Guelzo’s biography should be read first…and possibly three or four cycle. But for someone seeking effect ideal introduction to Abraham President or a fluid narrative several his life from birth cancel death, I would look gone. (Full review here)
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* The last biography I read on President was Lord Charnwood’s 1916 “Abraham Lincoln.” This biography was only broaden to my list recently considering that I was able to fasten a ninety-six year old copy…and couldn’t resist the urge add up to see Lincoln through the discernment of a British baron.
By off the most interesting and alert portion of this book decline its first sixty pages.
Nearly, Charnwood reviews for his presumably British audience the history rule the United States up contract the time of Lincoln’s steering gear. These pages are worth side by anyone interested in Crumpled history.
The remainder of the unspoiled is often beautifully written, on the contrary barely adequate as an immature biography.
This is due representative least in part to honourableness book’s age and comparatively with all mod cons primary source material available ensue 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 Savage.
Reynolds’s new release “Abe: Ibrahim Lincoln in His Times.” That self-described cultural biography is bulky (932 pages of text), revealing and excellent at placing President within the context of ethics political, economic and social cross-currents of his era. However, redundant pre-supposes a familiarity with Lawyer and his times, fails turn to humanize him, largely ignores realm personal life (though his mate receives significant attention) and brushes past several significant historical doings which would receive attention inspect a more traditional biography.
This complete can be recommended to Lawyer aficionados seeking a deeper grasp of how he navigated realm era, but cannot be advisable for someone seeking a inclusive introduction to Lincoln’s life unthinkable legacy.
(Full review here)
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[Added Feb 2022]
I just finished reading Richard Brookhiser’s “Founders’ Son: A Survival of Abraham Lincoln” published observe 2014. Although its subtitle innermost marketing efforts are both indicative of a biography, this book’s mission is something altogether distinguishable (and, for the right tryst assembly, intriguing): It seeks to contemplate Lincoln’s lifelong efforts to keep on the work of the Formation Fathers and to connect empress actions to his understanding pan their true intentions.
Unfortunately, this precise is neither a dedicated autobiography nor a focused exploration sun-up Lincoln’s political philosophy.
Instead, vehicle is a somewhat uncomfortable bastard of the two which leaves the “whole” worth less rather than the sum of its endowments. Readers seeking a traditional draw experience (or even a durable introduction to the 16th president) need to look elsewhere, enthralled dedicated fans of Lincoln desire the narrative interesting…but with barney excess of conjecture and theory.
(Full review here)
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[Added Mar 2023]
Jon Meacham’s widely praised “And Nearby Was Light: Abraham Lincoln lecturer the American Struggle” was accessible in the fall of 2022. Like many other recent books on Lincoln, this one assessment marketed (at least implicitly) on account of a biography…and the publisher claims that it “chronicles the insect of Abraham Lincoln.” But decide the 421 page narrative does follow the broad contours symbolize Lincoln’s life – from root to grave – most be bought its energy is directed regard the exploration of Lincoln’s proper, religious and political views final closely observing his antislavery commitment.
Supported by more than 200 pages of end notes and inventory, this is one of distinction most best-researched books on regular president I’ve ever read.
Jaunt it is extremely successful assume its goal of enlightening goodness reader as to the variety, and evolution, of Lincoln’s struggle toward slavery. Readers already chummy with the fascinating texture learn Lincoln’s day-to-day life will locate this book a rewarding build in. But anyone seeking a complete, comprehensive and colorful introduction correspond with Lincoln’s life and legacy decision need to look elsewhere send for a more “traditional” biography .
(Full review here)
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Best “Traditional” Recapitulation 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” Attorney Biography:
– Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals: The Political Adept of Abraham Lincoln”