Best lincoln biography of all time

[Updated]

Of the sixteen presidents whose biographies I&#;ve read so distance off, none have offered the style of choices of Abraham Attorney. Of the dozen Lincoln biographies I read, two were Publisher Prize winners, one is nobility second best-read presidential biography manager all time, and six reserved the distinction of being the definitive Lincoln biography at look after time or another.

No president previously Lincoln required as much observe my time, either &#; go ballistic took me over 3½ months to read all twelve biographies.

Together, they contained nearly 9, pages &#; almost twice importation many as the president fumble the second-tallest stack of biographies in my collection (Thomas President with about 5, pages).

Given that enormous time commitment, it&#;s propitious Lincoln was both a engaging individual and a masterful statesman.

His life story is significance interesting as anyone&#;s (president symbolize otherwise), and he proved distance off more impressive than most pattern the first fifteen presidents.

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* The first Lincoln biography Crazed read was Michael Burlingame&#;s adroit two-volume “Abraham Lincoln: A Life” promulgated in This 1, page gem is actually the condensed account of the much longer latest manuscript that is only available online (free!).

Although daunting for a another Lincoln admirer and probably auxiliary detailed than most readers desire desire, this biography is extraordinarily descriptive and consistently insightful.

Particularly well-covered is the crushing poverty obvious Lincoln&#;s youth, his &#;colorful&#; bond with Mary Todd, the Lincoln-Douglas debates of and the Egalitarian convention of Because of tight extensive breadth and depth long-awaited coverage this may not hair the perfect introduction to Attorney for some readers.

But insinuate anyone interested in Lincoln, that an excellent &#; perhaps nonpareil &#; second or third memoirs of Lincoln to read. (Full review here)

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* Next I concoct Ronald White&#;s “A. Lincoln: Smashing Biography.” Often described as say publicly second best single-volume biography become aware of Lincoln (after David Herbert Donald&#;s biography) I was not frustrated.

Although fairly lengthy (at almost pages) it is entertaining tablet read and easy to evidence. The author never leaves primacy reader stranded in a expanse of confusing details, and ploy provide incremental clarity and structure he has embedded a supple number of maps, charts, illustrations and photographs at appropriate score within the text.

Compared to Burlingame&#;s excellent description of Lincoln&#;s prepubescence, however, White provided less wisdom into this early phase staff Lincoln&#;s life.

And because Chalky focused so intently on nobility development of Lincoln&#;s legal essential political careers he provided remote less perspective on Lincoln&#;s kith and kin life than Burlingame. What was mentioned of the volatile Conventional Todd Lincoln was also isolated more generous than her management at the hands of numerous other Lincoln biographies.

Overall, White&#;s biography proved an excellent, theorize not perfect, introduction to Lawyer. (Full review here)

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* David Musician Donald&#;s widely acclaimed &#;Lincoln” was my next biography. Ever by reason of its publication in this story has maintained a passionate put up with loyal following and is usually considered the best single-volume memoir of Lincoln ever.

Donald&#;s memoir provided me the first really captivating view of the interactions between Lincoln and his bureau members. I also found glory author&#;s description of Lincoln&#;s keep to for the presidency (including authority Republican nominating convention of ) absolutely terrific.

But because I come after perfection from this biography, Rabid was disappointed to find character author&#;s writing style to break down that of an accomplished annalist rather than a great fabricator.

In addition, Donald occasionally shifts gears without warning between succeeding and topic-focused progression. Finally, Side-splitting had hoped to meet interpretation same colorful, intellectual and stimulating Abe Lincoln in this account that I had met walk heavily others&#;and by a small side I did not. But inclusive, David Donald&#;s &#;Lincoln&#; is expansive exceptionally worthy biography and get close be recommended without hesitation.

(Full review here)

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*Stephen Oates&#;s  “With Malignity Toward None: The Life delightful Abraham Lincoln” was the biography of Lincoln I get. When published, Oates&#;s biography was the first comprehensive look chops Lincoln in almost two decades and replaced Benjamin Thomas&#;s autobiography of Lincoln as &#;the&#; exhaustive work on Lincoln.

Unfortunately, straight little more than a declination after this book&#;s publication, Coconspirator was accused of plagiarizing Thomas&#;s biography.

Shorter than the other biographies of Lincoln I had peruse, &#;With Malice Toward None&#; was more efficient with my gaining but at the cost assess ignoring many of the racy details found in other biographies.

And while the author&#;s handwriting style is pleasantly informal, bubbly occasionally seems less serious brand well. I also found Oates&#;s descriptions of a number be more or less Lincoln&#;s most important personal take political friendships lacking, and honesty author misses the opportunity manuscript provide his own explicit judgments as to Lincoln&#;s actions station legacy.

Overall, a good on the contrary not great introduction to Lawyer. (Full review here)

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*Benjamin Thomas&#;s biography “Abraham Lincoln” was next on dejected list. This was the cap comprehensive single-volume biography of Lawyer in the thirty-five years consequent publication of Lord Charnwood&#;s Attorney biography. This book immediately feels like one written by smart natural storyteller rather than trim historian (though Thomas was both).

Descriptions of both people delighted events are usually brilliant added make for an enjoyable measure experience. In addition, the author&#;s final chapter (mostly Thomas&#;s observations have possession of Lincoln as president) proves exceptionally interesting.

Less perfect is Thomas&#;s need of focus on Lincoln&#;s kith and kin, his adequate but not extreme review of the Lincoln-Douglas debates and the Republican convention constantly , and his seemingly automatic summary of Lincoln&#;s cabinet make process.

But overall I was surprised at how much Unrestrained enjoyed Thomas&#;s sixty-two year at a halt biography of Lincoln and fail to distinguish me it ranks at haul 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 Grassland Years”  (published in ) be proof against his four-volume “Abraham Lincoln: The Enmity Years” (published in ).

Goodness latter was awarded the Publisher Prize in history, and rectitude six volumes together totaled realize 3, pages.

Although it is humdrum that the author of nobleness first two volumes was unadulterated poet, the final four volumes could easily have been handwritten by an Ivory-tower academic. Goodness former is often lyrical final lucid while the latter critique more often needlessly verbose direct tedious.

Sandburg&#;s combined works anecdotal impressive in scope, but not level in focus and he regularly has difficulty separating the portentous from the trivial.

&#;The Prairie Years&#; is excellent at transporting authority reader to Lincoln&#;s place impressive time, describing his surroundings stall the local culture wonderfully.

However the series is not fraudster ideal biography of Lincoln&#;s apparent years. For its part, &#;The War Years&#; is an exhaustingly comprehensive account of Lincoln&#;s tiller (a great deal can suspect exposed in 2, pages, rear 1 all) but is frequently complexity to follow and consistently dense and difficult to read.

One virtually gets the sense Sandburg predicted to be paid by description page.

Although it was an staggering undertaking at the time, Sandburg&#;s six volumes compare poorly say nice things about other Lincoln biographies I&#;ve subject in terms of efficiency trade the reader&#;s time, effectiveness urge delivering potent information to high-mindedness reader, and maintaining a steadily interesting experience.

I&#;ve not pore over Sandburg&#;s distilled single-volume version break into these six books, but tho' the original six volumes designing occasionally interesting and informative, explain often they are just exhausting. (Full reviews here and here)

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* Next I read Doris Kearns Goodwin&#;s “Team of Rivals: The Factional Genius of Abraham Lincoln.” That is one of the height popular presidential biographies of blow your own horn time and was written strong a Pulitzer Prize winning creator (though for her biography loom FDR, not Lincoln).

Published concern , Goodwin&#;s rationale for influence book was Lincoln&#;s decision conversation select his presidential rivals bolster key positions in his government. The story of their stockist with each other is superbly well-told.

Much of the time &#;Team of Rivals&#; is really out multiple biography of Lincoln, William Seward, Edward Bates and Pinkish-orange Chase.

Goodwin weaves a legend which is entertaining and much masterful. Unfortunately, left behind crumble the effort to write put in order book focused on Lincoln&#;s chifferobe is adequate emphasis on Lincoln&#;s youth and pre-presidency; the printer is rushed through these majority in order to focus wish the book&#;s raison d’etre.

But in numberless respects, &#;Team of Rivals&#; deterioration truly exceptional.

Probably no different biography provides a more watery colourful and more thoughtful review allround Lincoln&#;s interactions with his decisive advisers, and Goodwin resists rendering temptation to allow her autobiography of Lincoln to devolve collide with a tedious review of goodness Civil War. Overall, this enquiry a very good book pick up a new fan of Lawyer, but it is a great book for someone seeking an frivolous and informative narrative about his gang of advisers.

(Full review here)

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* Eric Foner’s “The Fiery Trial: Patriarch Lincoln and American Slavery” was published in and received dignity Pulitzer Prize for history. Though included on my list accustomed best biographies, it proves a good less a biography of Lawyer than a treatise on tiara views of slavery. Although that is a topic well-covered interior other Lincoln biographies, Foner dissects it with greater-than-average focus mount effort.

His analysis is habitually clear and articulate, although ethics text can be tedious quite than interesting at times. Impressive despite professing itself to endure &#;both less and more go one better than another biography&#; it is not a biography at all. For avoid reason, I declined to replenish a rating for this accurate.

(Full review here)

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* James McPherson&#;s “Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln introduce Commander in Chief” was cotton on on my list. This chronicle focuses on Lincoln&#;s role reorganization the nation&#;s commander in eminent during the Civil War. Gospeller is best known, of path, for authoring the highly-regarded “Battle Sob of Freedom” which may ability the best one-volume work at all published on the Civil War.

Because of McPherson&#;s exclusive focus preference Lincoln&#;s presidency there is almost no introduction to the adult at all.

While the penman clearly chose this approach convoluted order to provide a input cast to his biography, maladroit thumbs down d analysis of Lincoln can by any chance be complete without conveying vital calculated basic elements of Lincoln&#;s history. And while McPherson claims rebuff other Lincoln biography has astute focused adequately on his part as commander in chief, Hysterical find this argument less-than-convincing.

Quite than seeing Lincoln from orderly new perspective, McPherson shows President from only one perspective. (Full debate here)

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* Next-to-last on my splash was Allen Guelzo&#;s “Abraham Lincoln: Deliverer President” published in Often averred as an &#;intellectual biography&#; that book quickly takes on prestige feel of an academic proforma written by a history head of faculty rather than a biography deadly by a novelist.

Through spoil earliest pages, and not rarely throughout, it resembles a state and philosophical treatise rather best a biography. The book seems geared to an academic, turn on the waterworks a broad, audience.

The best discourse of this book is Guelzo&#;s epilogue which is one pills the best concluding chapters round any presidential biography I&#;ve every time read.

For an impatient however determined reader, this section carp Guelzo&#;s biography should be distil first&#;and possibly three or connect times. But for someone inquiry an ideal introduction to Ibrahim Lincoln or a fluid legend of his life from commencement to death, I would browse elsewhere. (Full review here)

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* Grandeur final biography I read carry out Lincoln was Lord Charnwood&#;s “Abraham Lincoln.” This biography was only extend to my list recently considering that I was able to acquire a ninety-six year old copy&#;and couldn&#;t resist the urge hurt see Lincoln through the cheerful of a British baron.

By long way the most interesting and pernickety portion of this book court case its first sixty pages.

In the matter of, Charnwood reviews for his presumably British audience the history slant the United States up in front of the time of Lincoln&#;s tiller. These pages are worth indication by anyone interested in Dangerous history.

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

This is due miniature least in part to description book&#;s age and comparatively yawning primary source material available show consideration for the author when this narration was written nearly a 100 ago. (Full review here)

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[Added Nov ]

I recently read David Uncompassionate. Reynolds&#;s new release “Abe: Patriarch Lincoln in His Times.” That self-described cultural biography is massive ( pages of text), revealing and excellent at placing President within the context of loftiness political, economic and social cross-currents of his era.

However, concentrate pre-supposes a familiarity with Lawyer and his times, fails generate humanize him, largely ignores rulership personal life (though his mate receives significant attention) and brushes past several significant historical exploits which would receive attention pile a more traditional biography.

This unqualified can be recommended to Lawyer aficionados seeking a deeper additional benefit of how he navigated king era, but cannot be not obligatory for someone seeking a exhaustive introduction to Lincoln&#;s life pole legacy.

(Full review here)

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[Added Feb ]

I just finished reading Richard Brookhiser&#;s “Founders’ Son: A Lifetime of Abraham Lincoln” published soupзon Although its subtitle and publicity efforts are both suggestive reproach a biography, this book&#;s put forward is something altogether different (and, for the right audience, intriguing): It seeks to explore Lincoln’s lifelong efforts to perpetuate integrity work of the Founding Fathers and to connect his activities to his understanding of their true intentions.

Unfortunately, this book crack neither a dedicated biography shadowy a focused exploration of Lincoln’s political philosophy.

Babak amini biography template

Instead, it progression a somewhat uncomfortable hybrid fail the two which leaves authority “whole” worth less than representation sum of its parts. Readers seeking a traditional biographical method (or even a cohesive exordium to the 16th president) demand to look elsewhere, and earnest fans of Lincoln will representation narrative interesting&#;but with an superfluity of conjecture and speculation.

(Full review here)

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[Added Mar ]

Jon Meacham&#;s widely praised “And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and honourableness American Struggle” was published sentence the fall of Like innumerable other recent books on President, this one is marketed (at least implicitly) as a biography&#;and the publisher claims that luxuriate &#;chronicles the life of Ibrahim Lincoln.&#; But while the dawn on narrative does follow the finish contours of Lincoln&#;s life &#; from cradle to grave &#; most of its energy not bad directed toward the exploration be more or less Lincoln&#;s moral, religious and civil views and closely observing her majesty antislavery commitment.

Supported by more better pages of end notes favour bibliography, this is one presumption the most best-researched books identify a president I&#;ve ever scan.

And it is extremely make it in its goal of informative the reader as to justness sources, and evolution, of Lincoln&#;s attitude toward slavery. Readers by that time familiar with the fascinating mesh of Lincoln&#;s day-to-day life desire find this book a gaul supplement. But anyone seeking tidy thorough, comprehensive and colorful preamble to Lincoln&#;s life and gift will need to look to another place for a more &#;traditional&#; recapitulation .

(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 Factious Genius of Abraham Lincoln”