Brief biography of abraham lincoln
In addition, Donald occasionally shifts gears without warning between chronological and topic-focused progression. Finally, I had hoped to meet the same colorful, intellectual and intriguing Abe Lincoln in this biography that I had met in others…and by a small margin I did not. Overall, a good but not great introduction to Lincoln. This book immediately feels like one written by a natural storyteller rather than a historian though Thomas was both.
Descriptions of both people and events are usually brilliant and make for an enjoyable reading experience. The latter was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in history, and the six volumes together totaled about 3, pages. Although it is unsurprising that the author of the first two volumes was a poet, the final four volumes could easily have been written by an Ivory-tower academic.
The former is often lyrical and lucid while the latter is more often needlessly verbose and tedious. One almost gets the sense Sandburg expected to be paid by the page. Full reviews here and here. The story of their relationships with each other is marvelously well-told. Goodwin weaves a narrative which is entertaining and often masterful. Overall, this is a very good book for a new fan of Lincoln, but it is a great book for someone seeking an entertaining and informative narrative about his team of advisers.
Although included on my list of best biographies, it proves far less a biography of Lincoln than a treatise on his views of slavery. Although this is a topic well-covered in other Lincoln biographies, Foner dissects it with greater-than-average focus and effort. His analysis is generally clear and articulate, although the text can be tedious rather than interesting at times.
Charles skouras iii biography of abraham lincoln for kids
For that reason, I declined to provide a rating for this book. And while McPherson claims no other Lincoln biography has ever focused adequately on his role as commander in chief, I find this argument less-than-convincing. Rather than seeing Lincoln from a new perspective, McPherson shows Lincoln from only one perspective. Through its earliest pages, and not infrequently throughout, it resembles a political and philosophical treatise rather than a biography.
The book seems geared to an academic, not a broad, audience. But for someone seeking an ideal introduction to Abraham Lincoln or a fluid narrative of his life from birth to death, I would look elsewhere. By far the most interesting and insightful portion of this book is its first sixty pages. These pages are worth reading by anyone interested in US history.
The remainder of the book is often beautifully written, but barely adequate as an introductory biography. I recently read David S. However, it pre-supposes a familiarity with Lincoln and his times, fails to humanize him, largely ignores his personal life though his wife receives significant attention and brushes past several significant historical events which would receive attention in a more traditional biography.
Readers seeking a traditional biographical experience or even a cohesive introduction to the 16th president need to look elsewhere, and dedicated fans of Lincoln will the narrative interesting…but with an excess of conjecture and speculation. Dan said:. June 29, at pm. Steve said:. June 30, at am.
Biography of john f. kennedy: Charles, George, and Spyros Skouras all rose from an impoverished background to become top movie executives in Hollywood during the 20th century. The Skouras brothers emigrated from Greece to St. Louis in the early s. They were the sons of a poor sheep herder from Skourohorion, Greece.
Both of these bios are pretty captivating so I imagine a high percentage of folks who start actually do get through them…. Peter said:. January 26, at pm. January 27, at am. March 14, at am. Richard said:. March 20, at am. I am a university student in England and am currently doing an essay on the cause s of the American Civil War.
I am fascinated with American history and politics, and this post is very helpful. My focus is on the Lincoln, Debates and historiography. March 24, at am. Oh my, you are really testing my memory! Good luck! January 18, at pm. Finally…finally I finished Lincoln: A Life. Interestingly, Steve expressed limited discussion about the Civil War, I feel there was too much discussion about the war and not enough about policy and legislation during his terms in office.
I enjoy the policy discussions, for historical events like the war and the assination, I can read books specifically about them, the presidential biographies are seemingly the only place to find the wonky stuff. I have Team of Rivals as well, but that is on hold until I am through the list. Onto Jeffy D. January 19, at am. What are you going to read on JD?
January 23, at pm. Don said:. March 9, at am. That might be the single toughest question you could have asked me about presidential biographies, anyway. The first two are traditional, comprehensive biographies of Lincoln. I liked them both equally well and if choosing between them I would almost tell you to flip a coin — or read whichever is easier for you to get a copy of.
So while this one is slightly less about Lincoln than the others, it offers something extra in return. March 12, at pm. Thank you for your response! Kyle said:. April 18, at am. I wanted to find a good Lincoln biography and came across your blog. Great list, thank you for such detailed descriptions of each book! April 19, at pm.
Rick Garner said:. September 26, at pm. First, I have been following most of your suggestions since Washington and now am spending a great amount on Lincoln.
Charles skouras iii biography of abraham lincoln author
I was really surprised how closely Goodwin followed Tarbell with the Lincoln portions of her work. September 27, at am. Going on my follow-up list! Joe said:. October 15, at pm. Read Edit View history. Tools Tools. Download as PDF Printable version. In other projects. Wikidata item. This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources.
Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Life and career [ edit ]. References [ edit ]. His eloquent support of democracy and insistence that the Union was worth saving embody the ideals of self-government that all nations strive to achieve. In , he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves across the Confederacy.
He was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in , at age 56, as the country was slowly beginning to reunify following the war. Thomas was a strong and determined pioneer who found a moderate level of prosperity and was well respected in the community. When Lincoln was 9 years old, his year-old mother died of tremetol, more commonly known as milk sickness, on October 5, The event was devastating to the young boy, who grew more alienated from his father and quietly resented the hard work placed on him at an early age.
She was a strong and affectionate woman with whom Lincoln quickly bonded. It was while growing into manhood that Lincoln received his formal education—an estimated total of 18 months—a few days or weeks at a time. Reading material was in short supply in the Indiana wilderness. Neighbors recalled how Lincoln would walk for miles to borrow a book.
In March , the family again migrated, this time to Macon County, Illinois.
When his father moved the family again to Coles County, year-old Lincoln struck out on his own, making a living in manual labor. Lincoln was 6 feet 4 inches tall, rawboned and lanky yet muscular and physically strong. He spoke with a backwoods twang and walked with a long-striding gait. He was known for his skill in wielding an ax and early on made a living splitting wood for fire and rail fencing.
Young Lincoln eventually migrated to the small community of New Salem, Illinois, where over a period of years he worked as a shopkeeper, postmaster, and eventually general store owner. It was through working with the public that Lincoln acquired social skills and honed a storytelling talent that made him popular with the locals.
Biography of abraham lincoln books
Not surprising given his imposing frame, Lincoln was an excellent wrestler and had only one recorded loss—to Hank Thompson in —over a span of 12 years. A shopkeeper who employed Lincoln in New Salem, Illinois, reportedly arranged bouts for him as a way to promote the business. Lincoln notably beat a local champion named Jack Armstrong and became somewhat of a hero.
When the Black Hawk War broke out in between the United States and Native Americans, the volunteers in the area elected Lincoln to be their captain. As he was starting his political career in the early s, Lincoln decided to become a lawyer.
After being admitted to the bar in , he moved to Springfield, Illinois, and began to practice in the John T. Stuart law firm. In , Lincoln partnered with William Herndon in the practice of law. Although the two had different jurisprudent styles, they developed a close professional and personal relationship. So to supplement his income, he followed the court as it made its rounds on the circuit to the various county seats in Illinois.
On November 4, , Lincoln wed Mary Todd , a high-spirited, well-educated woman from a distinguished Kentucky family. Mary and Lincoln met later at a social function and eventually did get married. Before marrying Todd, Lincoln was involved with other potential matches. Around , he purportedly met and became romantically involved with Anne Rutledge.
Before they had a chance to be engaged, a wave of typhoid fever came over New Salem, and Anne died at age To What Political Party did Lincoln belong?
Charles skouras iii biography of abraham lincoln
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