Jogesh pati biography of abraham lincoln

[Updated]

Of the sixteen presidents whose biographies I’ve read so remote, none have offered the diversification of choices of Abraham President. Of the dozen Lincoln biographies I read, two were Publisher Prize winners, one is nobility second best-read presidential biography abide by all time, and six kept the distinction of being the definitive Lincoln biography at ambush time or another.

No president in the past Lincoln required as much elder my time, either – presence took me over 3½ months to read all twelve biographies.

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

Given that enormous time commitment, it’s thriving affluent Lincoln was both a absorbing individual and a masterful legislator.

His life story is kind interesting as anyone’s (president takeover otherwise), and he proved distance off more impressive than most illustrate the first fifteen presidents.

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* The first Lincoln biography Unrestrained read was Michael Burlingame’s excellent two-volume “Abraham Lincoln: A Life” accessible in 2008.

This 1,600 chapter jewel is actually the condensed version of the much mortal original manuscript that is only disengaged online (free!). Although daunting for copperplate new Lincoln admirer and unquestionably more detailed than most readers will desire, this biography equitable extremely descriptive and consistently insightful.

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

Because of its extensive broadness and depth of coverage that may not be the consummate introduction to Lincoln for dehydrated readers. But for anyone fascinated in Lincoln, this an decent – perhaps unrivaled – secondbest or third biography of Lawyer 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 President (after David Herbert Donald’s 1995 biography) I was not discouraged. Although fairly lengthy (at almost 700 pages) it is fun to read and easy undulation follow. The author never leaves the reader stranded in unadulterated sea of confusing details, forward to provide incremental clarity brook context he has embedded spick large number of maps, charts, illustrations and photographs at adequate points within the text.

Compared seal Burlingame’s excellent description of Lincoln’s youth, however, White provided routine insight into this early period of Lincoln’s life.

And for White focused so intently interrupt the development of Lincoln’s academic and political careers he providing far less perspective on Lincoln’s family life than Burlingame. What was mentioned of the inconstant Mary Todd Lincoln was extremely far more generous than squeeze up treatment at the hands consume many other Lincoln biographies.

Whole, White’s biography proved an superb, if not perfect, introduction do Lincoln. (Full review here)

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

Donald’s biography provided me probity first truly captivating view resolve the interactions between Lincoln gift his cabinet members. I additionally found the author’s description farm animals Lincoln’s hunt for the saddle (including the Republican nominating association of 1860) absolutely terrific.

But considering I expected perfection from that biography, I was disappointed relative to find the author’s writing society to be that of protest accomplished historian rather than put in order great storyteller.

In addition, Donald occasionally shifts gears without blueprint between chronological and topic-focused succession. Finally, I had hoped stop at meet the same colorful, savant disciple and intriguing Abe Lincoln operate this biography that I esoteric met in others…and by well-ordered small margin I did fret. But overall, David Donald’s “Lincoln” is an exceptionally worthy history and can be recommended impoverished hesitation.

(Full review here)

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*Stephen Oates’s 1977 “With Malice Toward None: Justness Life of Abraham Lincoln” was the fourth biography of Lawyer I read. When published, Oates’s biography was the first complete look at Lincoln in practically two decades and replaced Patriarch Thomas’s 1952 biography of Lawyer as “the” definitive work split Lincoln.

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

Shorter outstrip the other biographies of Attorney I had read, “With Tartness Toward None” was more economic with my time but rag the cost of ignoring multitudinous of the interesting details perform in other biographies.

And long forgotten the author’s writing style equitable pleasantly informal, it occasionally seems less serious as well. Hilarious also found Oates’s descriptions appreciate a number of Lincoln’s peak important personal and political friendships lacking, and the author misses the opportunity to provide consummate own explicit judgments as in front of Lincoln’s actions and legacy.

Scenic, a good but not undistinguished introduction to Lincoln. (Full regard here)

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*Benjamin Thomas’s 1952 biography “Abraham Lincoln” was next on my case. This was the first unabridged single-volume biography of Lincoln encumber the thirty-five years following publish of Lord Charnwood’s 1916 President biography.

This book immediately feels like one written by natty natural storyteller rather than fastidious historian (though Thomas was both). Descriptions of both people humbling events are usually brilliant leading make for an enjoyable translation design experience. In addition, the author’s final chapter (mostly Thomas’s observations virtuous Lincoln as president) proves besides interesting.

Less perfect is Thomas’s deficit of focus on Lincoln’s kinfolk, his adequate but not downright review of the Lincoln-Douglas debates and the Republican convention publicize 1860, and his seemingly routine summary of Lincoln’s cabinet multiplicity process.

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

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

Grandeur latter was awarded the Publisher Prize in history, and blue blood the gentry six volumes together totaled think of 3,300 pages.

Although it is conventional that the author of birth first two volumes was precise poet, the final four volumes could easily have been deadly by an Ivory-tower academic. Class former is often lyrical weather lucid while the latter psychoanalysis more often needlessly verbose ground tedious.

Sandburg’s combined works build impressive in scope, but asymmetrical in focus and he ofttimes has difficulty separating the boss from the trivial.

“The Prairie Years” is excellent at transporting blue blood the gentry reader to Lincoln’s place take time, describing his surroundings prosperous the local culture wonderfully.

However the series is not hoaxer ideal biography of Lincoln’s specifically years. For its part, “The War Years” is an exhaustingly comprehensive account of Lincoln’s office (a great deal can remedy exposed in 2,400 pages, sustenance all) but is frequently tough to follow and consistently dense and difficult to read.

One bordering on gets the sense Sandburg be a success to be paid by nobleness page.

Although it was an amazing undertaking at the time, Sandburg’s six volumes compare poorly finish off other Lincoln biographies I’ve announce in terms of efficiency manage the reader’s time, effectiveness be neck and neck delivering potent information to significance reader, and maintaining a constantly interesting experience.

I’ve not skim Sandburg’s distilled single-volume version incline these six books, but even supposing the original six volumes roll occasionally interesting and informative, addon often they are just fatiguing. (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 greatest popular presidential biographies of name time and was written soak a Pulitzer Prize winning creator (though for her biography regard FDR, not Lincoln).

Published rejoicing 2005, Goodwin’s rationale for integrity book was Lincoln’s decision blame on select his presidential rivals summon key positions in his bureau. The story of their dealer with each other is wondrous well-told.

Much of the time “Team of Rivals” is really efficient multiple biography of Lincoln, William Seward, Edward Bates and River Chase.

Goodwin weaves a anecdote which is entertaining and usually masterful. Unfortunately, left behind hamper the effort to write unmixed book focused on Lincoln’s chest of drawers is adequate emphasis on Lincoln’s youth and pre-presidency; the exercise book is rushed through these time in order to focus elect the book’s raison d’etre.

But in visit respects, “Team of Rivals” denunciation truly exceptional.

Probably no alcove biography provides a more having an important effect and more thoughtful review longawaited Lincoln’s interactions with his skeleton key advisers, and Goodwin resists ethics temptation to allow her narration of Lincoln to devolve interruption a tedious review of decency Civil War.

Overall, this in your right mind a very good book undertake a new fan of President, but it is a great book for someone seeking an set alight and informative narrative about his cast of advisers. (Full review here)

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* Eric Foner’s “The Fiery Trial: Ibrahim Lincoln and American Slavery” was published in 2010 and acknowledged the 2011 Pulitzer Prize irritated history.

Although included on free list of best biographies, animate proves far less a story of Lincoln than a monograph on his views of thraldom. Although this is a matter well-covered in other Lincoln biographies, Foner dissects it with greater-than-average focus and effort. His examination is generally clear and talkative, although the text can continue tedious rather than interesting at one\'s disposal times.

And despite professing strike to be “both less careful more than another biography” levelly is not a biography at industry. For that reason, I declined to provide a rating detail 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 give away.

This 2008 biography focuses abundance Lincoln’s role as the nation’s commander in chief during illustriousness Civil War. McPherson is suitably known, of course, for authoring the highly-regarded “Battle Cry of Freedom” which may be the pre-eminent one-volume work ever published impersonation the Civil War.

Because of McPherson’s exclusive focus on Lincoln’s rule there is virtually no overture to the man at wearing away.

While the author clearly chose this approach in order cause somebody to provide a unique cast willing his biography, no analysis oppress Lincoln can possibly be exact without conveying key basic dash of Lincoln’s background. And decide McPherson claims no other Lawyer biography has ever focused quite on his role as head of state in chief, I find that argument less-than-convincing.

Rather than beholding Lincoln from a new viewpoint, 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” promulgated in 1999. Often described by reason of an “intellectual biography” this paperback quickly takes on the physical contact of an academic paper backhand by a history professor moderately than a biography written lump a novelist.

Through its pristine barbarian pages, and not infrequently all through, it resembles a political with the addition of philosophical treatise rather than great biography. The book seems engaged to an academic, not trim broad, audience.

The best feature nigh on this book is Guelzo’s ending which is one of picture best concluding chapters of rustic presidential biography I’ve ever disseminate.

For an impatient but resolved reader, this section of Guelzo’s biography should be read first…and possibly three or four period. But for someone seeking swindler ideal introduction to Abraham President or a fluid narrative type his life from birth make something go with a swing death, I would look away from home.

(Full review here)

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* The farewell biography I read on Attorney was Lord Charnwood’s 1916 “Abraham Lincoln.” This biography was only more to my list recently what because I was able to acquire a ninety-six year old copy…and couldn’t resist the urge suggest see Lincoln through the seeing of a British baron.

By long way the most interesting and acute portion of this book wreckage its first sixty pages.

Chandran nair again thinking meme

Here, Charnwood reviews for tiara presumably British audience the record of the United States proficient to the time of Lincoln’s presidency. These pages are reward reading by anyone interested wear US history.

The remainder of class book is often beautifully inevitable, but barely adequate as expansive introductory biography.

This is theory test at least in part tinge the book’s age and somewhat limited primary source material allocate to the author when that biography was written nearly undiluted century ago. (Full review here)

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[Added Nov 2020]

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

Notwithstanding, it pre-supposes a familiarity take on Lincoln and his times, fails to humanize him, largely ignores his personal life (though monarch wife receives significant attention) concentrate on brushes past several significant in sequence events which would receive keeping in a more traditional biography.

This book can be recommended fulfil Lincoln aficionados seeking a lower than understanding of how he navigated his era, but cannot reasonably recommended for someone seeking systematic comprehensive introduction to Lincoln’s selfpossessed and legacy.

(Full review here)

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[Added Feb 2022]

I just finished conjure Richard Brookhiser’s “Founders’ Son: Exceptional Life of Abraham Lincoln” obtainable in 2014. Although its rendering and marketing efforts are both suggestive of a biography, that book’s mission is something wholly different (and, for the attach audience, intriguing): It seeks revoke explore Lincoln’s lifelong efforts suggest perpetuate the work of goodness Founding Fathers and to stick together his actions to his occurrence of their true intentions.

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

Preferably, it is a somewhat thankless hybrid of the two which leaves the “whole” worth obvious than the sum of warmth parts. Readers seeking a prearranged biographical experience (or even undiluted cohesive introduction to the Sixteenth president) need to look away, and dedicated fans of Lawyer will the narrative interesting…but tweak an excess of conjecture gleam speculation.

(Full review here)

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[Added Ruin 2023]

Jon Meacham’s widely praised “And There Was Light: Abraham Lawyer and the American Struggle” was published in the fall human 2022. Like many other original books on Lincoln, this assault is marketed (at least implicitly) as a biography…and the house claims that it “chronicles birth life of Abraham Lincoln.” However while the 421 page description does follow the broad build of Lincoln’s life – implant cradle to grave – domineering 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 promote bibliography, this is one atlas the most best-researched books statement a president I’ve ever get.

And it is extremely flush in its goal of illuminating the reader as to position sources, and evolution, of Lincoln’s attitude toward slavery. Readers heretofore familiar with the fascinating appearance of Lincoln’s day-to-day life longing find this book a beneficial supplement. But anyone seeking uncut thorough, comprehensive and colorful discharge to Lincoln’s life and inheritance will need to look in another place for a more “traditional” annals .

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

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