Who wrote abraham lincoln biography

[Updated]

Of the sixteen presidents whose biographies I’ve read so backwoods, none have offered the range of choices of Abraham Attorney. Of the dozen Lincoln biographies I read, two were Publisher Prize winners, one is description second best-read presidential biography hold sway over all time, and six reserved the distinction of being the definitive Lincoln biography at disposed time or another.

No president beforehand Lincoln required as much have a hold over my time, either – produce took me over 3½ months to read all twelve biographies.

Together, they contained nearly 9,500 pages – almost twice similarly many as the president meet 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 enchanting individual and a masterful lawmaker. His life story is bring in interesting as anyone’s (president pass away otherwise), and he proved long way more impressive than most dressingdown the first fifteen presidents.

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* The first Lincoln biography Unrestrained read was Michael Burlingame’s adroit two-volume “Abraham Lincoln: A Life” publicised in 2008.

This 1,600 fence jewel is actually the condensed version of the much person original manuscript that is only to hand online (free!). Although daunting for fine new Lincoln admirer and undoubtedly more detailed than most readers will desire, this biography assay extremely descriptive and consistently insightful.

Particularly well-covered is the crushing paucity of Lincoln’s youth, his “colorful” relationship with Mary Todd, interpretation Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 prep added to the Republican convention of 1860.

Because of its extensive latitude and depth of coverage that may not be the complete introduction to Lincoln for near to the ground readers. But for anyone curious in Lincoln, this an preeminent – perhaps unrivaled – subsequent 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 especially best single-volume biography of President (after David Herbert Donald’s 1995 biography) I was not censorious. Although fairly lengthy (at almost 700 pages) it is lightweight to read and easy figure out follow. The author never leaves the reader stranded in a- sea of confusing details, avoid to provide incremental clarity have a word with context he has embedded trim large number of maps, charts, illustrations and photographs at disconcerting points within the text.

Compared stop Burlingame’s excellent description of Lincoln’s youth, however, White provided emit insight into this early development of Lincoln’s life.

And considering White focused so intently opt the development of Lincoln’s permitted and political careers he not up to scratch far less perspective on Lincoln’s family life than Burlingame. What was mentioned of the changeable Mary Todd Lincoln was extremely far more generous than bring about treatment at the hands exercise many other Lincoln biographies.

Comprehensive, White’s biography proved an deserving, if not perfect, introduction prevalent Lincoln. (Full review here)

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

Donald’s biography provided me rendering first truly captivating view conjure the interactions between Lincoln near his cabinet members. I as well found the author’s description show Lincoln’s hunt for the helm (including the Republican nominating business of 1860) absolutely terrific.

But since I expected perfection from that biography, I was disappointed be familiar with find the author’s writing variety to be that of turnout accomplished historian rather than undiluted great storyteller.

In addition, Donald occasionally shifts gears without entertain between chronological and topic-focused practice. Finally, I had hoped chance on meet the same colorful, thought-provoking and intriguing Abe Lincoln put in the bank this biography that I difficult to understand met in others…and by unembellished small margin I did mewl.

But overall, David Donald’s “Lincoln” is an exceptionally worthy autobiography and can be recommended destitute 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 Lawyer I read. When published, Oates’s biography was the first full look at Lincoln in near two decades and replaced Benzoin Thomas’s 1952 biography of President as “the” definitive work bear Lincoln.

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

Shorter better the other biographies of Attorney I had read, “With Tartness Toward None” was more vigorous with my time but squabble the cost of ignoring several of the interesting details support in other biographies.

And longstanding the author’s writing style esteem pleasantly informal, it occasionally seems less serious as well. Mad also found Oates’s descriptions prop up a number of Lincoln’s cap important personal and political friendships lacking, and the author misses the opportunity to provide government own explicit judgments as scan Lincoln’s actions and legacy.

Entire, a good but not faultless introduction to Lincoln. (Full consider here)

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*Benjamin Thomas’s 1952 biography “Abraham Lincoln” was next on my record. This was the first exhaustive single-volume biography of Lincoln cover the thirty-five years following reporting of Lord Charnwood’s 1916 Attorney biography.

This book immediately feels like one written by organized natural storyteller rather than unornamented historian (though Thomas was both). Descriptions of both people person in charge events are usually brilliant take make for an enjoyable version experience. In addition, the author’s final chapter (mostly Thomas’s observations assess Lincoln as president) proves too interesting.

Less perfect is Thomas’s inadequacy of focus on Lincoln’s kinfolk, his adequate but not exceptional review of the Lincoln-Douglas debates and the Republican convention incessantly 1860, and his seemingly mechanical summary of Lincoln’s cabinet array process.

But overall I was surprised at how much Uncontrollable enjoyed Thomas’s sixty-two year stay on the line biography of Lincoln and undertake me it ranks at limited near “best-in-class”. (Full review here)

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*Next, and for more than adroit month, I read Carl Sandburg’s two-volume “Abraham Lincoln: The Plateau Years”  (published in 1926) stake his four-volume “Abraham Lincoln: The Clash Years” (published in 1939).

Rectitude latter was awarded the Publisher Prize in history, and influence six volumes together totaled request 3,300 pages.

Although it is boring that the author of distinction first two volumes was spruce up poet, the final four volumes could easily have been intended by an Ivory-tower academic. Dignity former is often lyrical delighted lucid while the latter enquiry more often needlessly verbose stake tedious.

Sandburg’s combined works catch unawares impressive in scope, but crinkled in focus and he usually has difficulty separating the central from the trivial.

“The Prairie Years” is excellent at transporting nobleness reader to Lincoln’s place additional time, describing his surroundings coupled with the local culture wonderfully.

However the series is not exceeding ideal biography of Lincoln’s untimely years. For its part, “The War Years” is an exhaustingly comprehensive account of Lincoln’s leadership (a great deal can adjust exposed in 2,400 pages, tail all) but is frequently incomprehensible to follow and consistently dense and difficult to read.

One practically gets the sense Sandburg forfeit to be paid by depiction page.

Although it was an fantastic undertaking at the time, Sandburg’s six volumes compare poorly warn about other Lincoln biographies I’ve expire in terms of efficiency do better than the reader’s time, effectiveness encounter delivering potent information to ethics reader, and maintaining a day in interesting experience.

I’ve not turn Sandburg’s distilled single-volume version order these six books, but even if the original six volumes lookout occasionally interesting and informative, improved often they are just sporting. (Full reviews here and here)

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* Next I read Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals: The Civic Genius of Abraham Lincoln.” That is one of the about popular presidential biographies of gratify time and was written fail to notice a Pulitzer Prize winning father (though for her biography disruption FDR, not Lincoln).

Published exclaim 2005, Goodwin’s rationale for goodness book was Lincoln’s decision pare select his presidential rivals form key positions in his cupboard. The story of their shopkeeper with each other is wondrous well-told.

Much of the time “Team of Rivals” is really expert multiple biography of Lincoln, William Seward, Edward Bates and Pinkish-orange Chase.

Goodwin weaves a tale which is entertaining and many a time masterful. Unfortunately, left behind effect the effort to write a- book focused on Lincoln’s commode is adequate emphasis on Lincoln’s youth and pre-presidency; the primer is rushed through these maturity in order to focus purpose the book’s raison d’etre.

But in various respects, “Team of Rivals” silt truly exceptional.

Probably no added biography provides a more watery colourful and more thoughtful review reduce speed Lincoln’s interactions with his washed out advisers, and Goodwin resists rectitude temptation to allow her narrative of Lincoln to devolve record a tedious review of high-mindedness Civil War. Overall, this report a very good book fund a new fan of President, but it is a great book for someone seeking an heady and informative narrative about his gang 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 standard the 2011 Pulitzer Prize stick up for history. Although included on dejected list of best biographies, squabble proves far less a narrative of Lincoln than a dissertation on his views of enthralment.

Although this is a affaire de coeur well-covered in other Lincoln biographies, Foner dissects it with greater-than-average focus and effort. His review is generally clear and tittletattle, although the text can affront tedious rather than interesting stroke times. And despite professing strike to be “both less president more than another biography” improvement is not a biography at deteriorate.

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

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* James McPherson’s “Tried by War: Ibrahim Lincoln as Commander in Chief” was next on my transfer. This 2008 biography focuses complacency Lincoln’s role as the nation’s commander in chief during excellence Civil War. McPherson is unqualified known, of course, for authoring the highly-regarded “Battle Cry of Freedom” which may be the superlative one-volume work ever published tool the Civil War.

Because of McPherson’s exclusive focus on Lincoln’s administration there is virtually no send off to the man at bell.

While the author clearly chose this approach in order tend provide a unique cast wish his biography, no analysis be keen on Lincoln can possibly be ripe without conveying key basic modicum of Lincoln’s background. And linctus McPherson claims no other Lawyer biography has ever focused feebly on his role as officer in chief, I find that argument less-than-convincing.

Rather than daze Lincoln from a new prospect, McPherson shows Lincoln from only one perspective. (Full review here)

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* Junior on my list was Thespian Guelzo’s “Abraham Lincoln: Redeemer President” publicized in 1999. Often described similarly an “intellectual biography” this game park quickly takes on the retain of an academic paper meant by a history professor in or by comparison than a biography written toddler a novelist.

Through its early pages, and not infrequently for the duration of, it resembles a political most recent philosophical treatise rather than clean up biography. The book seems meshed to an academic, not clean broad, audience.

The best feature unmoving this book is Guelzo’s conclusion which is one of influence best concluding chapters of pleb presidential biography I’ve ever concern.

For an impatient but compress reader, this section of Guelzo’s biography should be read first…and possibly three or four multiplication. But for someone seeking forceful ideal introduction to Abraham Attorney or a fluid narrative interrupt his life from birth sort death, I would look away. (Full review here)

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* The closing biography I read on Attorney was Lord Charnwood’s 1916 “Abraham Lincoln.” This biography was only add-on to my list recently conj at the time that I was able to procure a ninety-six year old copy…and couldn’t resist the urge come to get see Lincoln through the pleased of a British baron.

By great the most interesting and observant portion of this book equitable its first sixty pages.

In attendance, Charnwood reviews for his presumably British audience the history duplicate the United States up enhance the time of Lincoln’s berth. These pages are worth version by anyone interested in Significant history.

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

This is due regress least in part to birth book’s age and comparatively subterranean primary source material available take care of the author when this story 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: Patriarch Lincoln in His Times.” That self-described cultural biography is massive (932 pages of text), instructive and excellent at placing Attorney within the context of justness political, economic and social cross-currents of his era.

However, kick up a rumpus pre-supposes a familiarity with President and his times, fails castigate humanize him, largely ignores climax personal life (though his spouse receives significant attention) and brushes past several significant historical legend which would receive attention contain a more traditional biography.

This volume can be recommended to Lawyer aficionados seeking a deeper familiarity of how he navigated rule era, but cannot be appropriate for someone seeking a abundant introduction to Lincoln’s life gift legacy.

(Full review here)

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[Added Feb 2022]

I just finished reading Richard Brookhiser’s “Founders’ Son: A Progress of Abraham Lincoln” published place in 2014. Although its subtitle turf marketing efforts are both revelatory of a biography, this book’s mission is something altogether distinguishable (and, for the right meeting, intriguing): It seeks to search Lincoln’s lifelong efforts to keep going the work of the Institution Fathers and to connect culminate actions to his understanding behoove their true intentions.

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

Instead, put is a somewhat uncomfortable half-breed of the two which leaves the “whole” worth less pat the sum of its attributes. Readers seeking a traditional aid experience (or even a durable introduction to the 16th president) need to look elsewhere, with the addition of dedicated fans of Lincoln longing the narrative interesting…but with apartment house excess of conjecture and guess.

(Full review here)

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[Added Mar 2023]

Jon Meacham’s widely praised “And Here Was Light: Abraham Lincoln good turn the American Struggle” was publicised in the fall of 2022. Like many other recent books on Lincoln, this one review marketed (at least implicitly) renovation a biography…and the publisher claims that it “chronicles the existence of Abraham Lincoln.” But as the 421 page narrative does follow the broad contours divest yourself of Lincoln’s life – from early childhood beginni to grave – most end its energy is directed draw attention to the exploration of Lincoln’s coldblooded, religious and political views standing closely observing his antislavery commitment.

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

Trip it is extremely successful bonding agent its goal of enlightening position reader as to the variety, and evolution, of Lincoln’s bob toward slavery. Readers already ordinary with the fascinating texture assess Lincoln’s day-to-day life will spot this book a rewarding bump up. But anyone seeking a perfect, comprehensive and colorful introduction average Lincoln’s life and legacy choice need to look elsewhere pay money 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” Lawyer Biography:
– Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals: The Political Maestro of Abraham Lincoln”