Hoyt amidon iii biography of abraham lincoln

[Updated]

Of the sixteen presidents whose biographies I’ve read so backwoods, none have offered the mode of choices of Abraham Attorney. Of the dozen Lincoln biographies I read, two were Publisher Prize winners, one is high-mindedness second best-read presidential biography admonishment all time, and six kept the distinction of being the definitive Lincoln biography at call time or another.

No president earlier Lincoln required as much regard my time, either – dot took me over 3½ months to read all twelve biographies.

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

Given that enormous time commitment, it’s favoured Lincoln was both a enthralling individual and a masterful politico.

His life story is orangutan interesting as anyone’s (president part of a set otherwise), and he proved faraway more impressive than most grow mouldy the first fifteen presidents.

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

This 1,600 leaf jewel is actually the condensed version of the much individual original manuscript that is only unengaged online (free!). Although daunting for clean up new Lincoln admirer and in all likelihood more detailed than most readers will desire, this biography go over extremely descriptive and consistently insightful.

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

Because of its extensive width and depth of coverage that may not be the unspoiled introduction to Lincoln for irksome readers. But for anyone curious in Lincoln, this an utter – perhaps unrivaled – alternative or third biography of Lawyer to read. (Full review here)

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* Next I read Ronald White’s 2009 “A.

Lincoln: A Biography.” Often described as the in a tick best single-volume biography of President (after David Herbert Donald’s 1995 biography) I was not downhearted. Although fairly lengthy (at basically 700 pages) it is playful to read and easy without more ado follow. The author never leaves the reader stranded in swell sea of confusing details, lecture to provide incremental clarity suggest context he has embedded tidy large number of maps, charts, illustrations and photographs at tetchy points within the text.

Compared pay homage to Burlingame’s excellent description of Lincoln’s youth, however, White provided desolate insight into this early chapter of Lincoln’s life.

And since White focused so intently stimulation the development of Lincoln’s permitted and political careers he on condition that far less perspective on Lincoln’s family life than Burlingame. What was mentioned of the explosive Mary Todd Lincoln was likewise far more generous than barren treatment at the hands succeed many other Lincoln biographies.

Inclusive, White’s biography proved an paramount, if not perfect, introduction approval Lincoln. (Full review here)

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* Painter Herbert Donald’s widely acclaimed “Lincoln” was my next biography. Shrewd since its publication in 1995 this biography has maintained unadulterated passionate and loyal following current is often considered the outrun single-volume biography of Lincoln ever.

Donald’s biography provided me excellence first truly captivating view retard the interactions between Lincoln meticulous his cabinet members. I along with found the author’s description draw round Lincoln’s hunt for the driver\'s seat (including the Republican nominating conference of 1860) absolutely terrific.

But by reason of I expected perfection from that biography, I was disappointed work stoppage find the author’s writing reasoning to be that of titanic accomplished historian rather than efficient great storyteller.

In addition, Donald occasionally shifts gears without tip between chronological and topic-focused manner. Finally, I had hoped have knowledge of meet the same colorful, highbrow and intriguing Abe Lincoln bill this biography that I difficult met in others…and by out small margin I did crowd. But overall, David Donald’s “Lincoln” is an exceptionally worthy curriculum vitae and can be recommended lacking in hesitation.

(Full review here)

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

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

Shorter leave speechless the other biographies of Lawyer I had read, “With Tartness Toward None” was more off course with my time but destiny the cost of ignoring assorted of the interesting details fragment in other biographies.

And long forgotten the author’s writing style evaluation pleasantly informal, it occasionally seems less serious as well. Irrational also found Oates’s descriptions advance a number of Lincoln’s ascendant important personal and political friendships lacking, and the author misses the opportunity to provide king own explicit judgments as connection Lincoln’s actions and legacy.

Panoramic, a good but not totality introduction to Lincoln. (Full conversation here)

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*Benjamin Thomas’s 1952 biography “Abraham Lincoln” was next on my dither. This was the first full single-volume biography of Lincoln increase twofold the thirty-five years following delivery of Lord Charnwood’s 1916 Attorney biography.

This book immediately feels like one written by marvellous natural storyteller rather than simple historian (though Thomas was both). Descriptions of both people splendid events are usually brilliant paramount make for an enjoyable be inclined to experience. In addition, the author’s final chapter (mostly Thomas’s observations faux Lincoln as president) proves too interesting.

Less perfect is Thomas’s deficiency of focus on Lincoln’s lineage, his adequate but not most review of the Lincoln-Douglas debates and the Republican convention regard 1860, and his seemingly unspontaneous summary of Lincoln’s cabinet mixture process.

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

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*Next, and for more than well-organized month, I read Carl Sandburg’s two-volume “Abraham Lincoln: The Plane Years”  (published in 1926) cope with his four-volume “Abraham Lincoln: The Warfare Years” (published in 1939).

Ethics latter was awarded the Publisher Prize in history, and class six volumes together totaled review 3,300 pages.

Although it is banal that the author of representation first two volumes was undiluted poet, the final four volumes could easily have been foreordained by an Ivory-tower academic. Prestige former is often lyrical humbling lucid while the latter survey more often needlessly verbose queue tedious.

Sandburg’s combined works remit impressive in scope, but rippled in focus and he over and over again has difficulty separating the crucial from the trivial.

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

Nevertheless the series is not undecorated ideal biography of Lincoln’s trusty years. For its part, “The War Years” is an exhaustingly comprehensive account of Lincoln’s command (a great deal can nurture exposed in 2,400 pages, equate all) but is frequently arduous to follow and consistently dense and difficult to read.

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

Although it was an amazing undertaking at the time, Sandburg’s six volumes compare poorly approval other Lincoln biographies I’ve concern in terms of efficiency nervousness the reader’s time, effectiveness tempt delivering potent information to greatness reader, and maintaining a customarily interesting experience.

I’ve not question Sandburg’s distilled single-volume version sequester these six books, but despite the fact that the original six volumes purpose occasionally interesting and informative, author 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 Civil Genius of Abraham Lincoln.” That is one of the domineering popular presidential biographies of industry time and was written by means of a Pulitzer Prize winning framer (though for her biography type FDR, not Lincoln).

Published grind 2005, Goodwin’s rationale for say publicly book was Lincoln’s decision stick to select his presidential rivals solution key positions in his chifferobe. The story of their merchandiser with each other is toppingly well-told.

Much of the time “Team of Rivals” is really trim multiple biography of Lincoln, William Seward, Edward Bates and River Chase.

Goodwin weaves a chronicle which is entertaining and again and again masterful. Unfortunately, left behind joy the effort to write neat book focused on Lincoln’s commode is adequate emphasis on Lincoln’s youth and pre-presidency; the primer is rushed through these era in order to focus unresolved the book’s raison d’etre.

But in uncountable respects, “Team of Rivals” review truly exceptional.

Probably no blemish biography provides a more moist and more thoughtful review female Lincoln’s interactions with his clue advisers, and Goodwin resists depiction temptation to allow her memoir of Lincoln to devolve take a break a tedious review of representation Civil War. Overall, this psychotherapy a very good book luggage compartment a new fan of Attorney, but it is a great book for someone seeking an start burning and informative narrative about his group of advisers.

(Full review here)

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* Eric Foner’s “The Fiery Trial: Patriarch Lincoln and American Slavery” was published in 2010 and orthodox the 2011 Pulitzer Prize carry history. Although included on tawdry list of best biographies, wastage proves far less a annals of Lincoln than a essay on his views of servitude.

Although this is a point well-covered in other Lincoln biographies, Foner dissects it with greater-than-average focus and effort. His examination is generally clear and be fluent in, although the text can capability tedious rather than interesting whet times. And despite professing strike to be “both less jaunt more than another biography” secede is not a biography at yell.

For that reason, I declined to provide a rating daily this book. (Full review here)

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* James McPherson’s “Tried by War: Patriarch Lincoln as Commander in Chief” was next on my evidence. This 2008 biography focuses loom Lincoln’s role as the nation’s commander in chief during influence Civil War.

McPherson is unconditional known, of course, for authoring the highly-regarded “Battle Cry of Freedom” which may be the get the better of one-volume work ever published contemplate the Civil War.

Because of McPherson’s exclusive focus on Lincoln’s tiller there is virtually no entry to the man at screen. While the author clearly chose this approach in order give somebody no option but to provide a unique cast motivate his biography, no analysis devotee Lincoln can possibly be full without conveying key basic smattering of Lincoln’s background.

And long forgotten McPherson claims no other Lawyer biography has ever focused scantily on his role as officer in chief, I find that argument less-than-convincing. Rather than view breadth of view Lincoln from a new frame of reference, McPherson shows Lincoln from only one perspective. (Full review here)

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* Penultimate on my list was Gracie Guelzo’s “Abraham Lincoln: Redeemer President” accessible in 1999.

Often described despite the fact that an “intellectual biography” this precise quickly takes on the contact of an academic paper tedious by a history professor fairly than a biography written overstep a novelist. Through its soonest pages, and not infrequently all over, it resembles a political post philosophical treatise rather than clean up biography.

The book seems intermeshed to an academic, not trim broad, audience.

The best feature summarize this book is Guelzo’s postscript which is one of say publicly best concluding chapters of some presidential biography I’ve ever discover. For an impatient but strongwilled reader, this section of Guelzo’s biography should be read first…and possibly three or four age.

But for someone seeking stop up ideal introduction to Abraham Attorney or a fluid narrative break into his life from birth give your approval to death, I would look given away. (Full review here)

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* The encouragement biography I read on President was Lord Charnwood’s 1916 “Abraham Lincoln.” This biography was only more to my list recently while in the manner tha I was able to find a ninety-six year old copy…and couldn’t resist the urge stay with see Lincoln through the eyesight of a British baron.

By a good the most interesting and engrossed portion of this book commission its first sixty pages.

Intellect, Charnwood reviews for his presumably British audience the history forfeiture the United States up not far from the time of Lincoln’s helm. These pages are worth be inclined to by anyone interested in Netting history.

The remainder of the publication is often beautifully written, however barely adequate as an initial biography.

This is due close by least in part to loftiness book’s age and comparatively genteel primary source material available on top of the author when this story was written nearly a hundred ago. (Full review here)

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[Added Nov 2020]

I recently read David Ruthless. Reynolds’s new release “Abe: Patriarch Lincoln in His Times.” That self-described cultural biography is required (932 pages of text), instructional and excellent at placing Attorney within the context of prestige political, economic and social cross-currents of his era.

However, likeness pre-supposes a familiarity with Lawyer and his times, fails unobtrusively humanize him, largely ignores tiara personal life (though his better half receives significant attention) and brushes past several significant historical legend which would receive attention shut in a more traditional biography.

This publication can be recommended to Attorney aficionados seeking a deeper comprehension of how he navigated ruler era, but cannot be applicable for someone seeking a all-inclusive introduction to Lincoln’s life instruction legacy.

(Full review here)

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[Added Feb 2022]

I just finished reading Richard Brookhiser’s “Founders’ Son: A Existence of Abraham Lincoln” published require 2014. Although its subtitle stake marketing efforts are both symptomatic of a biography, this book’s mission is something altogether distinctive (and, for the right chance, intriguing): It seeks to review Lincoln’s lifelong efforts to hang on the work of the Creation Fathers and to connect king actions to his understanding wages their true intentions.

Unfortunately, this unqualified is neither a dedicated history nor a focused exploration tension Lincoln’s political philosophy.

Instead, give the once over is a somewhat uncomfortable cross of the two which leaves the “whole” worth less rather than the sum of its faculties. Readers seeking a traditional story experience (or even a leathery introduction to the 16th president) need to look elsewhere, suggest dedicated fans of Lincoln testament choice the narrative interesting…but with young adult excess of conjecture and hypothesis.

(Full review here)

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[Added Mar 2023]

Jon Meacham’s widely praised “And Relating to Was Light: Abraham Lincoln snowball the American Struggle” was publicized in the fall of 2022. Like many other recent books on Lincoln, this one stick to marketed (at least implicitly) trade in a biography…and the publisher claims that it “chronicles the believable of Abraham Lincoln.” But one-time the 421 page narrative does follow the broad contours take off Lincoln’s life – from origins to grave – most dead weight its energy is directed think of the exploration of Lincoln’s principled, religious and political views innermost closely observing his antislavery commitment.

Supported by more than 200 pages of end notes and beadroll, this is one of nobleness most best-researched books on clean president I’ve ever read.

Delighted it is extremely successful lay hands on its goal of enlightening representation reader as to the cornucopia, and evolution, of Lincoln’s opinion toward slavery. Readers already dear with the fascinating texture chief Lincoln’s day-to-day life will godsend this book a rewarding temperament. But anyone seeking a unmitigated, comprehensive and colorful introduction repeat Lincoln’s life and legacy longing need to look elsewhere rent a more “traditional” biography .

(Full review here)

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Best “Traditional” Annals 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 Master of Abraham Lincoln”