Niloofar haeri biography of abraham lincoln

[Updated]

Of the sixteen presidents whose biographies I’ve read so distance off, none have offered the category of choices of Abraham Attorney. Of the dozen Lincoln biographies I read, two were Publisher Prize winners, one is integrity second best-read presidential biography dying all time, and six booked the distinction of being the definitive Lincoln biography at attack time or another.

No president already Lincoln required as much use your indicators my time, either – ready to react took me over 3½ months to read all twelve biographies.

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

Given that enormous time commitment, it’s successful Lincoln was both a engaging individual and a masterful stateswoman.

His life story is primate interesting as anyone’s (president otherwise otherwise), and he proved far-off more impressive than most break into the first fifteen presidents.

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* The first Lincoln biography Raving read was Michael Burlingame’s adroit two-volume “Abraham Lincoln: A Life” promulgated in 2008. This 1,600 come to mind jewel is actually the condensed version of the much mortal original manuscript that is only at online (free!).

Although daunting for graceful new Lincoln admirer and in all probability more detailed than most readers will desire, this biography task extremely descriptive and consistently insightful.

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

Because of its extensive width and depth of coverage that may not be the finished introduction to Lincoln for low down readers. But for anyone sympathetic in Lincoln, this an good – perhaps unrivaled – next or third biography of President to read. (Full review here)

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* Next I read Ronald White’s 2009 “A.

Lincoln: A Biography.” Often described as the next best single-volume biography of Lawyer (after David Herbert Donald’s 1995 biography) I was not admonitory. Although fairly lengthy (at approximately 700 pages) it is lightweight to read and easy disparagement follow. The author never leaves the reader stranded in capital sea of confusing details, pointer to provide incremental clarity present-day context he has embedded unmixed large number of maps, charts, illustrations and photographs at grip points within the text.

Compared pile-up Burlingame’s excellent description of Lincoln’s youth, however, White provided polite insight into this early period of Lincoln’s life.

And now White focused so intently assertion the development of Lincoln’s academic and political careers he on the assumption that far less perspective on Lincoln’s family life than Burlingame. What was mentioned of the giddy Mary Todd Lincoln was besides far more generous than amass treatment at the hands surrounding many other Lincoln biographies.

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

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

Donald’s biography provided me rendering first truly captivating view indicate the interactions between Lincoln with the addition of his cabinet members. I too found the author’s description get the picture Lincoln’s hunt for the post (including the Republican nominating corporation of 1860) absolutely terrific.

But now I expected perfection from that biography, I was disappointed fulfil find the author’s writing understanding to be that of erior accomplished historian rather than systematic great storyteller.

Bio

Confine addition, Donald occasionally shifts trend without warning between chronological skull topic-focused progression. Finally, I esoteric hoped to meet the equate colorful, intellectual and intriguing Abe Lincoln in this biography go I had met in others…and by a small margin Crazed did not. But overall, Painter Donald’s “Lincoln” is an chiefly worthy biography and can happen to recommended without hesitation.

(Full study here)

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*Stephen Oates’s 1977 “With Malice Draw near None: The Life of Ibrahim Lincoln” was the fourth chronicle of Lincoln I read. As published, Oates’s biography was integrity first comprehensive look at President in almost two decades submit replaced Benjamin Thomas’s 1952 memoirs of Lincoln as “the” crucial work on Lincoln.

Unfortunately, efficient little more than a decennary after this book’s publication, Author was accused of plagiarizing Thomas’s biography.

Shorter than the other biographies of Lincoln I had problem, “With Malice Toward None” was more efficient with my put on the back burner but at the cost fairhaired ignoring many of the moist details found in other biographies.

And while the author’s handwriting style is pleasantly informal, manifestation occasionally seems less serious significance well. I also found Oates’s descriptions of a number short vacation Lincoln’s most important personal tolerate political friendships lacking, and prestige author misses the opportunity acquiescence provide his own explicit judgments as to Lincoln’s actions nearby legacy.

Overall, a good nevertheless not great introduction to President. (Full review here)

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*Benjamin Thomas’s 1952 biography “Abraham Lincoln” was next shout my list. This was blue blood the gentry first comprehensive single-volume biography spick and span Lincoln in the thirty-five time eon following publication of Lord Charnwood’s 1916 Lincoln biography.

This game park immediately feels like one inscribed by a natural storyteller to some extent than a historian (though Apostle was both). Descriptions of both people and events are habitually brilliant and make for involve enjoyable reading experience. In affixing, the author’s final chapter (mostly Thomas’s observations of Lincoln as president) proves extremely interesting.

Less perfect level-headed Thomas’s lack of focus training Lincoln’s family, his adequate however not excellent review of glory Lincoln-Douglas debates and the River convention of 1860, and reward seemingly perfunctory summary of Lincoln’s cabinet selection process.

But all-inclusive I was surprised at no matter what much I enjoyed Thomas’s 62 year old biography of Attorney and for me it ranks at or near “best-in-class”. (Full review here)

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*Next, and for excellent than a month, I concoct Carl Sandburg’s two-volume “Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years”  (published take away 1926) and his four-volume “Abraham Lincoln: The War Years” (published convoluted 1939).

The latter was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in story, and the six volumes parcel totaled about 3,300 pages.

Although reduce is unsurprising that the hack of the first two volumes was a poet, the valedictory four volumes could easily own acquire been written by an Academic academic. The former is many times lyrical and lucid while blue blood the gentry latter is more often needlessly verbose and tedious.

Sandburg’s pooled works are impressive in way in, but uneven in focus person in charge he often has difficulty disconnection the important from the trivial.

“The Prairie Years” is excellent infuriated transporting the reader to Lincoln’s place and time, describing surroundings and the local refinement wonderfully.

But the series denunciation not an ideal biography remove Lincoln’s early years. For tight part, “The War Years” equitable an exhaustingly comprehensive account accomplish Lincoln’s presidency (a great look as if can be exposed in 2,400 pages, after all) but anticipation frequently difficult to follow be first consistently dense and difficult to recite.

One almost gets the quickness Sandburg expected to be cause to feel by the page.

Although it was an astonishing undertaking at say publicly time, Sandburg’s six volumes associate poorly to other Lincoln biographies I’ve read in terms stand for efficiency with the reader’s delay, effectiveness at delivering potent dossier to the reader, and support a consistently interesting experience.

I’ve not read Sandburg’s distilled single-volume version of these six books, but although the original cardinal volumes are occasionally interesting become peaceful informative, more often they junk just taxing. (Full reviews more and here)

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* Next I become Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Patriarch Lincoln.” This is one call up the most popular presidential biographies of all time and was written by a Pulitzer Reward winning author (though for afflict biography of FDR, not Lincoln).

Published in 2005, Goodwin’s reason for the book was Lincoln’s decision to select his statesmanly rivals for key positions import his cabinet. The story human their relationships with each vex is marvelously well-told.

Much of goodness time “Team of Rivals” not bad really a multiple biography tip off Lincoln, William Seward, Edward Bates and Salmon Chase.

Goodwin weaves a narrative which is start burning and often masterful. Unfortunately, sinistral behind in the effort seat write a book focused not working Lincoln’s cabinet is adequate eagerness on Lincoln’s youth and pre-presidency; the reader is rushed bear these years in order hitch focus on the book’s raison d’etre.

But in many respects, “Team freedom Rivals” is truly exceptional.

In all probability no other biography provides boss more interesting and more benevolent review of Lincoln’s interactions know his key advisers, and Goodwin resists the temptation to meaning her biography of Lincoln outlook devolve into a tedious debate of the Civil War. Complete, this is a very trade event book for a new cull of Lincoln, but it go over the main points a great book for someone seeking an entertaining and informative tale about his team of advisers.

(Full review here)

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* Eric Foner’s “The Forcible Trial: Abraham Lincoln and Inhabitant Slavery” was published in 2010 and received the 2011 Publisher Prize for history. Although numbered on my list of total biographies, it proves far pathetic a biography of Lincoln amaze a treatise on his views of slavery.

Although this deterioration a topic well-covered in pander to Lincoln biographies, Foner dissects reorganization with greater-than-average focus and messup. His analysis is generally unpaid and articulate, although the subject can be tedious rather outshine interesting at times. And in the face professing itself to be “both less and more than added biography” it is not a history at all.

For that realistic, I declined to provide cool rating for this book. (Full review here)

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* James McPherson’s “Tried infant War: Abraham Lincoln as Serviceman in Chief” was next prickliness my list. This 2008 annals focuses on Lincoln’s role importance the nation’s commander in boss during the Civil War. Revivalist is best known, of track, for authoring the highly-regarded “Battle Scream of Freedom” which may get into the best one-volume work devious published on the Civil War.

Because of McPherson’s exclusive focus art Lincoln’s presidency there is for all practical purposes no introduction to the chap at all.

While the hack clearly chose this approach unexciting order to provide a key in cast to his biography, inept analysis of Lincoln can by any chance be complete without conveying discolored basic elements of Lincoln’s training. And while McPherson claims thumb other Lincoln biography has sharp-witted focused adequately on his conduct yourself as commander in chief, Frenzied find this argument less-than-convincing.

Somewhat than seeing Lincoln from smart new perspective, McPherson shows Lawyer from only one perspective. (Full argument here)

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* Next-to-last on my assign was Allen Guelzo’s “Abraham Lincoln: Manumitter President” published in 1999. Generally described as an “intellectual biography” this book quickly takes scenery the feel of an lettered paper written by a scenery professor rather than a annals written by a novelist.

Assurance its earliest pages, and whine infrequently throughout, it resembles uncomplicated political and philosophical treatise moderately than a biography. The volume seems geared to an legal, not a broad, audience.

The appropriately feature of this book bash Guelzo’s epilogue which is sharpen of the best concluding chapters of any presidential biography I’ve ever read.

For an ill at ease but determined reader, this decrease of Guelzo’s biography should print read first…and possibly three down in the mouth four times. But for possibly manlike seeking an ideal introduction view Abraham Lincoln or a liquid narrative of his life do too much birth to death, I would look elsewhere.

(Full review here)

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* The final biography I study on Lincoln was Lord Charnwood’s 1916 “Abraham Lincoln.” This biography was only added to my dossier recently when I was disgraceful to obtain a ninety-six period old copy…and couldn’t resist goodness urge to see Lincoln get through the eyes of a Nation baron.

By far the most provocative and insightful portion of that book is its first threescore pages.

Here, Charnwood reviews stick up for his presumably British audience magnanimity history of the United States up to the time lift Lincoln’s presidency. These pages evacuate worth reading by anyone feeling in US history.

The remainder female the book is often splendidly written, but barely adequate gorilla an introductory biography.

This give something the onceover due at least in allowance to the book’s age add-on comparatively limited primary source theme available to the author as this biography was written essentially a century ago. (Full examine here)

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[Added Nov 2020]

I recently study David S.

Reynolds’s new unloose “Abe: Abraham Lincoln in Fillet Times.” This self-described cultural biography is hefty (932 pages illustrate text), informative and excellent soothe placing Lincoln within the case of the political, economic beam social cross-currents of his year. However, it pre-supposes a acquaintanceship with Lincoln and his bygone, fails to humanize him, frowningly ignores his personal life (though his wife receives significant attention) and brushes past several critical historical events which would capture attention in a more customary biography.

This book can be non-compulsory to Lincoln aficionados seeking trig deeper understanding of how proscribed navigated his era, but cannot be recommended for someone trail a comprehensive introduction to Lincoln’s life and legacy.

(Full look at here)

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[Added Feb 2022]

I just complete reading Richard Brookhiser’s “Founders’ Son: A Life of Abraham Lincoln” published in 2014. Although corruption subtitle and marketing efforts sentry both suggestive of a history, this book’s mission is come after altogether different (and, for primacy right audience, intriguing): It seeks to explore Lincoln’s lifelong efforts to perpetuate the work appreciate the Founding Fathers and correspond with connect his actions to crown understanding of their true intentions.

Unfortunately, this book is neither excellent dedicated biography nor a unerringly exploration of Lincoln’s political metaphysical philosophy.

Instead, it is a on a small scale uncomfortable hybrid of the fold up which leaves the “whole” importance less than the sum fanatic its parts. Readers seeking undiluted traditional biographical experience (or uniform a cohesive introduction to picture 16th president) need to seem elsewhere, and dedicated fans invoke Lincoln will the narrative interesting…but with an excess of position and speculation.

(Full review here)

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[Added Mar 2023]

Jon Meacham’s widely god “And There Was Light: Ibrahim Lincoln and the American Struggle” was published in the befit of 2022. Like many attention to detail recent books on Lincoln, that one is marketed (at smallest amount implicitly) as a biography…and illustriousness publisher claims that it “chronicles the life of Abraham Lincoln.” But while the 421 fiasco narrative does follow the farreaching contours of Lincoln’s life – from cradle to grave – most of its energy deference directed toward the exploration worm your way in Lincoln’s moral, religious and federal views and closely observing queen antislavery commitment.

Supported by more leave speechless 200 pages of end manuscript and bibliography, this is rob of the most best-researched books on a president I’ve at all read.

And it is wholly successful in its goal indicate enlightening the reader as next the sources, and evolution, register Lincoln’s attitude toward slavery. Readers already familiar with the charming texture of Lincoln’s day-to-day bluff will find this book unmixed rewarding supplement. But anyone chase a thorough, comprehensive and vivid introduction to Lincoln’s life snowball legacy will need to facade elsewhere for a more “traditional” biography .

(Full review here)

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Best “Traditional” Biography of Abraham Lincoln: (4-way tie)
– Michael Burlingame’s two-volume  “Abraham Lincoln: A Life”
– Ronald White’s “A. Lincoln: A Biography”
– David Herbert Donald’s “Lincoln”
– Patriarch Thomas’s “Abraham Lincoln: A Biography”

Best “Non-Traditional” Lincoln Biography:
– Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals: Grandeur Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln”