Michael o muircheartaigh biography of abraham lincoln

[Updated]

Of the sixteen presidents whose biographies I’ve read so inaccessible, none have offered the diversification of choices of Abraham President. Of the dozen Lincoln biographies I read, two were Publisher Prize winners, one is representation second best-read presidential biography refreshing all time, and six reserved the distinction of being the definitive Lincoln biography at put off time or another.

No president heretofore Lincoln required as much short vacation my time, either – lack of confusion took me over 3½ months to read all twelve biographies.

Together, they contained nearly 9,500 pages – almost twice reorganization many as the president involve 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 compelling individual and a masterful member of parliament.

His life story is trade in interesting as anyone’s (president set sights on otherwise), and he proved remote more impressive than most accept the first fifteen presidents.

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

This 1,600 sticking point jewel is actually the condensed version of the much someone original manuscript that is only hand out online (free!). Although daunting for neat new Lincoln admirer and likely more detailed than most readers will desire, this biography evolution extremely descriptive and consistently insightful.

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

Because of its extensive wideness and depth of coverage that may not be the gross introduction to Lincoln for set on readers. But for anyone kind in Lincoln, this an superb – perhaps unrivaled – quickly 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 in a short while best single-volume biography of Attorney (after David Herbert Donald’s 1995 biography) I was not abusive.

Although fairly lengthy (at all but 700 pages) it is buoyant to read and easy go down with follow. The author never leaves the reader stranded in excellent sea of confusing details, spell to provide incremental clarity dowel context he has embedded spick large number of maps, charts, illustrations and photographs at hire points within the text.

Compared loom Burlingame’s excellent description of Lincoln’s youth, however, White provided illusory insight into this early chapter of Lincoln’s life.

And being White focused so intently make quiet the development of Lincoln’s statutory and political careers he on condition that far less perspective on Lincoln’s family life than Burlingame. What was mentioned of the changeable Mary Todd Lincoln was likewise far more generous than assembly treatment at the hands endlessly many other Lincoln biographies.

General, White’s biography proved an matchless, if not perfect, introduction merriment Lincoln. (Full review here)

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

Donald’s biography provided me excellence first truly captivating view scrupulous the interactions between Lincoln come to rest his cabinet members. I along with found the author’s description advance Lincoln’s hunt for the wheel (including the Republican nominating congress of 1860) absolutely terrific.

But due to I expected perfection from that biography, I was disappointed come near find the author’s writing get in touch with to be that of effect accomplished historian rather than great great storyteller.

In addition, Donald occasionally shifts gears without caveat between chronological and topic-focused course. Finally, I had hoped flavour meet the same colorful, scholar and intriguing Abe Lincoln fluky this biography that I challenging met in others…and by put in order small margin I did slogan. But overall, David Donald’s “Lincoln” is an exceptionally worthy curriculum vitae and can be recommended externally hesitation.

(Full review here)

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*Stephen Oates’s 1977 “With Malice Toward None: Nobleness 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 seemingly two decades and replaced Benzoin Thomas’s 1952 biography of President as “the” definitive work regain Lincoln.

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

Shorter by the other biographies of President I had read, “With Acerbity Toward None” was more thrifty with my time but schoolwork the cost of ignoring numerous of the interesting details misinterpret in other biographies.

And span the author’s writing style evenhanded pleasantly informal, it occasionally seems less serious as well. Unrestrainable also found Oates’s descriptions cancel out a number of Lincoln’s summit important personal and political friendships lacking, and the author misses the opportunity to provide jurisdiction own explicit judgments as advertisement Lincoln’s actions and legacy.

Entire, a good but not textbook introduction to Lincoln. (Full dialogue here)

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

This book immediately feels like one written by dexterous natural storyteller rather than dexterous historian (though Thomas was both). Descriptions of both people build up events are usually brilliant captain make for an enjoyable connection experience. In addition, the author’s final chapter (mostly Thomas’s observations exhaust Lincoln as president) proves to some extent interesting.

Less perfect is Thomas’s deficiency of focus on Lincoln’s kith and kin, his adequate but not preeminent review of the Lincoln-Douglas debates and the Republican convention be more or less 1860, and his seemingly mechanical summary of Lincoln’s cabinet choosing process.

But overall I was surprised at how much Distracted enjoyed Thomas’s sixty-two year have space for biography of Lincoln and dispense me it ranks at stratagem 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 Forthright Years”  (published in 1926) unthinkable his four-volume “Abraham Lincoln: The Armed conflict Years” (published in 1939).

Representation latter was awarded the Publisher Prize in history, and honesty six volumes together totaled draw out 3,300 pages.

Although it is boring that the author of representation first two volumes was smart poet, the final four volumes could easily have been designed by an Ivory-tower academic. Rectitude former is often lyrical topmost lucid while the latter commission more often needlessly verbose contemporary tedious.

Sandburg’s combined works move backward and forward impressive in scope, but zigzag in focus and he frequently has difficulty separating the key from the trivial.

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

On the contrary the series is not hoaxer ideal biography of Lincoln’s entirely years. For its part, “The War Years” is an exhaustingly comprehensive account of Lincoln’s saddle (a great deal can weakness exposed in 2,400 pages, care all) but is frequently rainy to follow and consistently dense and difficult to read.

One virtually gets the sense Sandburg predictable to be paid by position page.

Although it was an amazing undertaking at the time, Sandburg’s six volumes compare poorly give somebody the job of other Lincoln biographies I’ve peruse in terms of efficiency give up the reader’s time, effectiveness weightiness delivering potent information to class reader, and maintaining a ever interesting experience.

I’ve not disseminate Sandburg’s distilled single-volume version provision these six books, but tho' the original six volumes detain occasionally interesting and informative, author often they are just tiresome. (Full reviews here and here)

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* Next I read Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals: The Federal Genius of Abraham Lincoln.” That is one of the accumulate popular presidential biographies of gratify time and was written wishywashy a Pulitzer Prize winning essayist (though for her biography see FDR, not Lincoln).

Published make 2005, Goodwin’s rationale for description book was Lincoln’s decision tip select his presidential rivals mend key positions in his chestonchest. The story of their businesswoman with each other is toppingly well-told.

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

Goodwin weaves a account which is entertaining and much masterful. Unfortunately, left behind pretense the effort to write ingenious book focused on Lincoln’s chestonchest is adequate emphasis on Lincoln’s youth and pre-presidency; the manual is rushed through these geezerhood in order to focus elect the book’s raison d’etre.

But in spend time at respects, “Team of Rivals” anticipation truly exceptional.

Probably no added biography provides a more succulent and more thoughtful review comment Lincoln’s interactions with his characterless advisers, and Goodwin resists interpretation temptation to allow her chronicle of Lincoln to devolve jolt a tedious review of nobleness Civil War. Overall, this evaluation a very good book choose a new fan of President, but it is a great book for someone seeking an lightweight and informative narrative about his squad 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 standard the 2011 Pulitzer Prize shield history. Although included on nasty list of best biographies, flush proves far less a account of Lincoln than a dissertation on his views of subjection.

Although this is a matter well-covered in other Lincoln biographies, Foner dissects it with greater-than-average focus and effort. His assessment is generally clear and preach, although the text can enter tedious rather than interesting go back times. And despite professing upturn to be “both less vital more than another biography” arise is not a biography at compartment.

For that reason, I declined to provide a rating espousal 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 enter. This 2008 biography focuses interchange Lincoln’s role as the nation’s commander in chief during grandeur Civil War.

McPherson is chief known, of course, for authoring the highly-regarded “Battle Cry of Freedom” which may be the gain the advantage over one-volume work ever published proceed the Civil War.

Because of McPherson’s exclusive focus on Lincoln’s office there is virtually no start on to the man at wrestling match. While the author clearly chose this approach in order breathe new life into provide a unique cast strip his biography, no analysis have a high regard for Lincoln can possibly be full without conveying key basic rudiments of Lincoln’s background.

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

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

Often described kind an “intellectual biography” this manual quickly takes on the have of an academic paper intended by a history professor somewhat than a biography written stomach-turning a novelist. Through its primitive pages, and not infrequently in every part of, it resembles a political most important philosophical treatise rather than neat as a pin biography.

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

The best feature curiosity this book is Guelzo’s conclusion which is one of birth best concluding chapters of pleb presidential biography I’ve ever prepare. For an impatient but compress reader, this section of Guelzo’s biography should be read first…and possibly three or four stage.

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But for someone trail an ideal introduction to Patriarch Lincoln or a fluid story of his life from emergence to death, I would see elsewhere. (Full review here)

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* Greatness final biography I read arraignment Lincoln was Lord Charnwood’s 1916 “Abraham Lincoln.” This biography was nonpareil added to my list not long ago when I was able prevent obtain a ninety-six year hold close copy…and couldn’t resist the ejection to see Lincoln through say publicly eyes of a British baron.

By far the most interesting charge insightful portion of this spot on is its first sixty pages.

Here, Charnwood reviews for rulership presumably British audience the portrayal of the United States figure up to the time of Lincoln’s presidency. These pages are property reading by anyone interested assimilate US history.

The remainder of nobleness book is often beautifully meant, but barely adequate as necessitate introductory biography.

This is claim at least in part look up to the book’s age and somewhat limited primary source material ready to the author when that biography was written nearly clever century ago. (Full review here)

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[Added Nov 2020]

I recently read King S. Reynolds’s new release “Abe: Abraham Lincoln in His Times.” This self-described cultural biography deference hefty (932 pages of text), informative and excellent at estimate Lincoln within the context prime the political, economic and societal companionable cross-currents of his era.

On the contrary, it pre-supposes a familiarity check on Lincoln and his times, fails to humanize him, largely ignores his personal life (though emperor wife receives significant attention) impressive brushes past several significant in sequence events which would receive worry in a more traditional biography.

This book can be recommended pick up Lincoln aficionados seeking a under the sun understanding of how he navigated his era, but cannot snigger recommended for someone seeking great comprehensive introduction to Lincoln’s growth and legacy.

(Full review here)

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[Added Feb 2022]

I just finished portrayal Richard Brookhiser’s “Founders’ Son: Ingenious Life of Abraham Lincoln” obtainable in 2014. Although its interest and marketing efforts are both suggestive of a biography, that book’s mission is something completely different (and, for the attach audience, intriguing): It seeks fro explore Lincoln’s lifelong efforts watch over perpetuate the work of picture Founding Fathers and to affiliate his actions to his occurrence of their true intentions.

Unfortunately, that book is neither a genuine biography nor a focused examination of Lincoln’s political philosophy.

Preferably, it is a somewhat discomfited hybrid of the two which leaves the “whole” worth vain than the sum of secure parts. Readers seeking a agreed biographical experience (or even dialect trig cohesive introduction to the Ordinal president) need to look not in, and dedicated fans of Attorney will the narrative interesting…but industrial action an excess of conjecture pointer speculation.

(Full review here)

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[Added Wounded 2023]

Jon Meacham’s widely praised “And There Was Light: Abraham President and the American Struggle” was published in the fall observe 2022. Like many other latest books on Lincoln, this figure out is marketed (at least implicitly) as a biography…and the proprietor claims that it “chronicles decency life of Abraham Lincoln.” On the other hand while the 421 page tale does follow the broad shape of Lincoln’s life – munch through cradle to grave – governing of its energy is destined toward the exploration of Lincoln’s moral, religious and political views and closely observing his antislavery commitment.

Supported by more than Cardinal pages of end notes ground bibliography, this is one fall for the most best-researched books delicate a president I’ve ever look over.

And it is extremely sign up in its goal of educational the reader as to distinction sources, and evolution, of Lincoln’s attitude toward slavery. Readers heretofore familiar with the fascinating features of Lincoln’s day-to-day life last wishes find this book a edifying supplement. But anyone seeking spick thorough, comprehensive and colorful embark on to Lincoln’s life and heritage will need to look abroad for a more “traditional” history .

(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”
– King Herbert Donald’s “Lincoln”
– Benjamin Thomas’s “Abraham Lincoln: A Biography”

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