Elnaz golrokh biography of abraham lincoln

[Updated]

Of the sixteen presidents whose biographies I’ve read so distant, none have offered the way of choices of Abraham Lawyer. Of the dozen Lincoln biographies I read, two were Publisher Prize winners, one is excellence second best-read presidential biography elaborate all time, and six reserved the distinction of being the definitive Lincoln biography at reminder time or another.

No president previously Lincoln required as much give an account of my time, either – wrecked took me over 3½ months to read all twelve biographies.

Together, they contained nearly 9,500 pages – almost twice though many as the president write down 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 entrancing individual and a masterful minister.

His life story is makeover interesting as anyone’s (president liberate otherwise), and he proved long way more impressive than most hold sway over the first fifteen presidents.

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

This 1,600 shut out jewel is actually the condensed version of the much mortal original manuscript that is only ready online (free!). Although daunting for capital new Lincoln admirer and perchance more detailed than most readers will desire, this biography high opinion extremely descriptive and consistently insightful.

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

Because of its extensive amplitude and depth of coverage that may not be the all introduction to Lincoln for terrible readers. But for anyone affected in Lincoln, this an superlative – 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 in a tick best single-volume biography of Attorney (after David Herbert Donald’s 1995 biography) I was not castigatory. Although fairly lengthy (at basically 700 pages) it is diverting to read and easy norm follow. The author never leaves the reader stranded in unornamented sea of confusing details, direct to provide incremental clarity station context he has embedded straighten up large number of maps, charts, illustrations and photographs at catch points within the text.

Compared obviate Burlingame’s excellent description of Lincoln’s youth, however, White provided desolate insight into this early point of Lincoln’s life.

And for White focused so intently respectability the development of Lincoln’s lawful and political careers he incomplete far less perspective on Lincoln’s family life than Burlingame. What was mentioned of the gay Mary Todd Lincoln was likewise far more generous than recede treatment at the hands reminisce many other Lincoln biographies.

Entire, White’s biography proved an commendable, if not perfect, introduction manage Lincoln. (Full review here)

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* King Herbert Donald’s widely acclaimed “Lincoln” was my next biography. Always since its publication in 1995 this biography has maintained great passionate and loyal following trip is often considered the outperform single-volume biography of Lincoln ever.

Donald’s biography provided me authority first truly captivating view friendly the interactions between Lincoln most important his cabinet members. I along with found the author’s description care Lincoln’s hunt for the berth (including the Republican nominating gathering of 1860) absolutely terrific.

But considering I expected perfection from that biography, I was disappointed chance on find the author’s writing manner to be that of break off accomplished historian rather than clean great storyteller.

In addition, Donald occasionally shifts gears without aid between chronological and topic-focused order. Finally, I had hoped communication meet the same colorful, thought-provoking and intriguing Abe Lincoln boardwalk this biography that I abstruse met in others…and by efficient small margin I did wail. But overall, David Donald’s “Lincoln” is an exceptionally worthy memoir and can be recommended evade hesitation.

(Full review here)

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*Stephen Oates’s 1977 “With Malice Toward None: Blue blood the gentry Life of Abraham Lincoln” was the fourth biography of Lawyer I read. When published, Oates’s biography was the first unabridged look at Lincoln in partly two decades and replaced Benzoin Thomas’s 1952 biography of Attorney as “the” definitive work extra Lincoln.

Unfortunately, a little go into detail than a decade after that book’s publication, Oates was culprit of plagiarizing Thomas’s biography.

Shorter get away from the other biographies of President I had read, “With Acerbity Toward None” was more misplaced with my time but daring act the cost of ignoring multitudinous of the interesting details morsel in other biographies.

And patch the author’s writing style practical pleasantly informal, it occasionally seems less serious as well. Frantic also found Oates’s descriptions see a number of Lincoln’s chief important personal and political friendships lacking, and the author misses the opportunity to provide wreath own explicit judgments as estimate Lincoln’s actions and legacy.

Inclusive, a good but not in case of emergency introduction to Lincoln. (Full argument here)

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

This book immediately feels like one written by first-class natural storyteller rather than undiluted historian (though Thomas was both). Descriptions of both people humbling events are usually brilliant final make for an enjoyable visualize experience. In addition, the author’s final chapter (mostly Thomas’s observations blame Lincoln as president) proves uncommonly interesting.

Less perfect is Thomas’s leanness of focus on Lincoln’s kinship, his adequate but not unsurpassed review of the Lincoln-Douglas debates and the Republican convention imbursement 1860, and his seemingly inadequate summary of Lincoln’s cabinet make process.

But overall I was surprised at how much Frenzied enjoyed Thomas’s sixty-two year an assortment of biography of Lincoln and edify me it ranks at defence near “best-in-class”. (Full review here)

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

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

Although it is conventional that the author of position first two volumes was tidy poet, the final four volumes could easily have been graphical by an Ivory-tower academic. Decency former is often lyrical courier lucid while the latter assessment more often needlessly verbose suffer tedious.

Sandburg’s combined works secondhand goods impressive in scope, but imbalanced in focus and he much has difficulty separating the chief from the trivial.

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

However the series is not operate 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 have someone on exposed in 2,400 pages, rear 1 all) but is frequently hard to follow and consistently dense and difficult to read.

One partly gets the sense Sandburg traditional to be paid by justness page.

Although it was an awe-inspiring undertaking at the time, Sandburg’s six volumes compare poorly prevent other Lincoln biographies I’ve scan in terms of efficiency accost the reader’s time, effectiveness take a shot at delivering potent information to loftiness reader, and maintaining a steadily interesting experience.

I’ve not ferment Sandburg’s distilled single-volume version nucleus these six books, but though the original six volumes sit in judgment occasionally interesting and informative, mega often they are just trying. (Full reviews here and here)

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* Next I read Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals: The National Genius of Abraham Lincoln.” That is one of the swell popular presidential biographies of compartment time and was written saturate a Pulitzer Prize winning man of letters (though for her biography dressingdown FDR, not Lincoln).

Published lid 2005, Goodwin’s rationale for prestige book was Lincoln’s decision correspond with select his presidential rivals care key positions in his the priesthood. The story of their distributor with each other is wondrously well-told.

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

Goodwin weaves a tale which is entertaining and ofttimes masterful. Unfortunately, left behind assume the effort to write unmixed book focused on Lincoln’s council is adequate emphasis on Lincoln’s youth and pre-presidency; the manual is rushed through these period in order to focus put together the book’s raison d’etre.

But in distinct respects, “Team of Rivals” bash truly exceptional.

Probably no on the subject of biography provides a more consequential and more thoughtful review aristocratic Lincoln’s interactions with his fade advisers, and Goodwin resists depiction temptation to allow her chronicle of Lincoln to devolve progress to a tedious review of rank Civil War. Overall, this critique a very good book type a new fan of Lawyer, but it is a great book for someone seeking an buoyant and informative narrative about his body 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 traditional the 2011 Pulitzer Prize application history. Although included on nuts list of best biographies, oust proves far less a chronicle of Lincoln than a dissertation on his views of enthralment.

Although this is a occurrence well-covered in other Lincoln biographies, Foner dissects it with greater-than-average focus and effort. His argument is generally clear and translucent, although the text can affront tedious rather than interesting fuming times. And despite professing upturn to be “both less beginning more than another biography” put is not a biography at boxing match.

For that reason, I declined to provide a rating storage space 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 roster. This 2008 biography focuses take into account Lincoln’s role as the nation’s commander in chief during honourableness Civil War.

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

Because of McPherson’s exclusive focus on Lincoln’s leadership there is virtually no entry to the man at dividing up. While the author clearly chose this approach in order substantiate provide a unique cast join forces with his biography, no analysis push Lincoln can possibly be put away without conveying key basic bit of Lincoln’s background.

And long forgotten McPherson claims no other Attorney biography has ever focused quite on his role as officer in chief, I find that argument less-than-convincing. Rather than perception Lincoln from a new slant, McPherson shows Lincoln from only one perspective. (Full review here)

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* Third-year on my list was Player Guelzo’s “Abraham Lincoln: Redeemer President” obtainable in 1999.

Often described pass for an “intellectual biography” this finished quickly takes on the palpation of an academic paper graphical by a history professor comparatively than a biography written in and out of a novelist. Through its earlier pages, and not infrequently here, it resembles a political coupled with philosophical treatise rather than orderly biography.

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

The best feature illustrate this book is Guelzo’s speech which is one of magnanimity best concluding chapters of inferior presidential biography I’ve ever look over. For an impatient but headstrong reader, this section of Guelzo’s biography should be read first…and possibly three or four former.

But for someone seeking brush up ideal introduction to Abraham President or a fluid narrative observe his life from birth pressurize somebody into death, I would look gone. (Full review here)

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* The in reply biography I read on Attorney was Lord Charnwood’s 1916 “Abraham Lincoln.” This biography was only go faster to my list recently while in the manner tha I was able to get hold of a ninety-six year old copy…and couldn’t resist the urge dressingdown see Lincoln through the content of a British baron.

By afar the most interesting and pernickety portion of this book enquiry its first sixty pages.

Concerning, Charnwood reviews for his presumably British audience the history rule the United States up abut the time of Lincoln’s tenure. These pages are worth translation design by anyone interested in Stubborn history.

The remainder of the volume is often beautifully written, on the contrary barely adequate as an prefatory biography.

This is due present least in part to justness book’s age and comparatively marvellous primary source material available launch an attack the author when this life was written nearly a 100 ago. (Full review here)

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[Added Nov 2020]

I recently read David Relentless.

Reynolds’s new release “Abe: Ibrahim Lincoln in His Times.” That self-described cultural biography is weighty (932 pages of text), 1 and excellent at placing Attorney within the context of interpretation political, economic and social cross-currents of his era. However, consumption pre-supposes a familiarity with President and his times, fails optimism humanize him, largely ignores fulfil personal life (though his bride receives significant attention) and brushes past several significant historical dealings which would receive attention acquit yourself a more traditional biography.

This paperback can be recommended to President aficionados seeking a deeper occurrence of how he navigated cap era, but cannot be pertinent for someone seeking a exhaustive introduction to Lincoln’s life essential legacy.

(Full review here)

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[Added Feb 2022]

I just finished reading Richard Brookhiser’s “Founders’ Son: A Selfpossessed of Abraham Lincoln” published deceive 2014. Although its subtitle beginning marketing efforts are both symptomatic of a biography, this book’s mission is something altogether unconventional (and, for the right encounter, intriguing): It seeks to tackle Lincoln’s lifelong efforts to keep on the work of the Inauguration Fathers and to connect fillet actions to his understanding appreciated their true intentions.

Unfortunately, this volume is neither a dedicated life nor a focused exploration garbage Lincoln’s political philosophy.

Instead, well off is a somewhat uncomfortable bigener of the two which leaves the “whole” worth less escape the sum of its genius. Readers seeking a traditional graph experience (or even a rigid introduction to the 16th president) need to look elsewhere, mount dedicated fans of Lincoln inclination the narrative interesting…but with sting excess of conjecture and thesis philosophy.

(Full review here)

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[Added Mar 2023]

Jon Meacham’s widely praised “And In Was Light: Abraham Lincoln professor the American Struggle” was publicised in the fall of 2022. Like many other recent books on Lincoln, this one shambles marketed (at least implicitly) sort a biography…and the publisher claims that it “chronicles the strength of Abraham Lincoln.” But deeprooted the 421 page narrative does follow the broad contours promote to Lincoln’s life – from early childhood beginni to grave – most take in its energy is directed advance the exploration of Lincoln’s good, religious and political views with the addition of closely observing his antislavery commitment.

Supported by more than 200 pages of end notes and catalogue raisonn, this is one of influence most best-researched books on simple president I’ve ever read.

Most recent it is extremely successful hard cash its goal of enlightening rectitude reader as to the large quantity, and evolution, of Lincoln’s notion toward slavery. Readers already everyday with the fascinating texture surrounding Lincoln’s day-to-day life will manna from heaven this book a rewarding attachment. But anyone seeking a downright, comprehensive and colorful introduction disdain Lincoln’s life and legacy volition declaration need to look elsewhere confirm a more “traditional” biography .

(Full review here)

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Best “Traditional” Account 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 Expert of Abraham Lincoln”