LINCOLN

Rating:
Summary: Good Account of A Complex and Interesting Man
Review: Overall, I found Donald's account of Honest Abe to be a good one and I humbly offer what I thought were the good and bad points of this book:

Good:

1. The first couple of chapters describing Lincoln's early life were quite interesting and informative, from the strong relationship with his stepmother to the strained relationship with his father. Reading about his other early struggles and failures further impressed me with Lincoln's persistence and incredible tenacity.
2. Deep level of detail concerning certain points of his life, notably his early law practice, political career, and relationships with cabinet members. If you like this kind of information, then this book is right down your alley!
3. Interesting descriptions of his relationship with certain generals, notably George McClellan (aka "Young Napoleon"). I developed a greater appreciation of the military pressures Lincoln endured during the Civil War.

Bad:

1. The book's length - the text was right at 600 pages and at times proved to be a dry read. While interesting anecdotes were incorporated, the text often seemed to drag on with dry policy decisions. Granted, I am more interested in military affairs as opposed to politics. However, I still believe the book spent too much on the politics and not nearly enough on the military.
2. Personalization of Lincoln - as mentioned in other reviwes, I concur that the reader still misses the essence of Lincoln (What did he experience and how did he really feel about a policy issue or military action? How about more of his relationship with his wife and children?). While the reader is often told things like the incredible number of hours Lincoln put in while in the White House, the essence of Lincoln is left out.

Overall, I do believe the book is a worthwhile read - just be ready to spend plenty of time due to the large content!

Since this is the first comprehensive biography of Lincoln I have read, I cannot honestly compare it to other Lincoln biographers. However, I can say that I have read other biographies (Lee, Grant, etc.) of other famous Americans and I feel like I have gotten to know the person better instead of just knowing ABOUT the person.

Despite this, I still recommend the book.

Rating:
Summary: Mr.Lincoln
Review: This is perhaps one of the largest volumes on Lincoln but also one of the best. It goes from his home life to his political career. The book is very fascinating and also very easy to read and understand. This will answer a lot of questions you have on Lincoln, but I also think it will make you want to learn more about him.

Rating:
Summary: Great biography of a legendary president
Review: Regarded by many as our greatest president ever, Abraham Lincoln has left a massive impression on the American imagination. Much of who he is comes to us as almost folkloric imagery - the young "railsplitter" on the frontier, the small-town attorney, Stephen Douglas' adversary in the most famous debates in our nation's history, the bearded father figure who led the nation through its most divisive conflict before his assassination at the hands of a deranged actor. Few biographers have been better equipped to study the man behind the legend than David Herbert Donald, a Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer and longtime scholar of the era.

The result is impressive. Donald sifts through the mythology and interpretations to lay Lincoln bare, often using Lincoln's own words to define the man. He presents a man of considerable ambition and a healthy ego, which helped him overcome the formidable challenges he faced in life. While Donald's argument that Lincoln was controlled by events is difficult to sustain, his portrait of a master politician who maintained his authority over a young party though tact and guile is excellent, as is his examination of Lincoln's constant problems with the army high command. For readers seeking an introduction to the life of one of our most important leaders, this is the book to read.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Reading
Review: This is a wonderful biography of Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Donald has made a very to the point work without speculation and over examination. It is simply Lincoln, who comes across as simple and well meaning. This is not the Lincoln of high rhetoric grandly leading the country through a difficult time. Donald's Mr. Lincoln comes across as a man of great potential and high purpose who struggled daily with the complex world around him. You feel his frustrations and his troubles. This is one book that really demonstrates that history does not just happen. The outcomes are not known. The struggles are real. Lincoln's struggles are real. Just a wonderful read!!

Rating:
Summary: Terrific
Review: Donald writes brilliantly, and truly spans Lincoln's life and gives one a sense of being there. Perhaps most striking is how the tide of events carried Lincoln and changed his views (e.g., with respect to slavery, from colonization to emancipation). Also, Donald describes Lincoln as a master, very calculating politician, not unlike the politicians of today. He was certainly not the folksy backwoods caricature that often is presented, although he used that to his advantage (e.g., to disarm opponents and garner support).

Despite being wonderfully researched, and spreading out the facts for all to see, one gets the sense that what truly made Lincoln "tick" was unknowable, from a deeply personal standpoint. Having worked on Capitol Hill, my sense is that most senators are that way, possibly because they have been compromised again and again to reach high offices, and to be all things to all people.

Also, it was interesting how Grant and Sherman "saved" Lincoln politically, while many of his other generals were either indecisive or utter buffoons. Lincoln knew that changes were needed, but he was often hesitant to "rock the boat" and make them. After his reelection in 1864, he seemed much more self-confident, which was cut short by his tragic death. The reader is left to wonder what he might have accomplished during his second term.

When the book ends somewhat abruptly, one's interest has been whetted. It is only too bad that Donald did not do an appraisal of "what might have been." There is no question that Lincoln was brilliant, and he was really maturing as a political leader when he was killed. What a remarkable four years might have followed. Also, with essentially no protection at all, it is surprising that more leaders of that time were not killed by the Booths of this world. Lincoln, God love him, was fearless and a true fatalist - or at least that is how Donald depicts him.

One is led to think about Lincoln's law partner, Herndon, who was so important in Lincoln's life, and his thoughts about Lincoln's life and death. Also, Grant's memoirs - which are said to be the finest done by an American president - may be an interesting read, along with books about Reconstruction, the diaries of Lincoln's two male "secretaries," etc.

Years ago, I read an article about how one could only understand the Southern "mentality" by appreciating how conquered peoples - or the vanquished - have been able to survive throughout history under the rule of the victors; and Donald's book sets the scene for that to take place. Also, one cannot help but be impressed by what a monumental struggle the Civil War represented, and the human carnage that it left as well as the deep scars that remained.

Truly fascinating, and Donald provides a brilliant "birds-eye view." Well worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: A true Intellectual work of a true historian
Review: A fascinating, if at times dry, rendering of the man that was Lincoln. Not the myth, not the hero worshipping, just the man. This is not a style of "popular" biography. It is not a sweeping narrative, but a more detailed look at Lincoln's life. Some parts of the story, those of his campaigns get surprisingly long treatment here. Others, his marriage, family, and other personal foibles are not explored in depth. However, it is an honest rendering of the man who lived from 1809-1865. In fact, we see the growth, the honor, and the greatness of the real Lincoln.

Rating:
Summary: Good Account of A Complex and Interesting Man
Review: Overall, I found Donald's account of Honest Abe to be a good one and I humbly offer what I thought were the good and bad points of this book:

Good:

1. The first couple of chapters describing Lincoln's early life were quite interesting and informative, from the strong relationship with his stepmother to the strained relationship with his father. Reading about his other early struggles and failures further impressed me with Lincoln's persistence and incredible tenacity.
2. Deep level of detail concerning certain points of his life, notably his early law practice, political career, and relationships with cabinet members. If you like this kind of information, then this book is right down your alley!
3. Interesting descriptions of his relationship with certain generals, notably George McClellan (aka "Young Napoleon"). I developed a greater appreciation of the military pressures Lincoln endured during the Civil War.

Bad:

1. The book's length - the text was right at 600 pages and at times proved to be a dry read. While interesting anecdotes were incorporated, the text often seemed to drag on with dry policy decisions. Granted, I am more interested in military affairs as opposed to politics. However, I still believe the book spent too much on the politics and not nearly enough on the military.
2. Personalization of Lincoln - as mentioned in other reviwes, I concur that the reader still misses the essence of Lincoln (What did he experience and how did he really feel about a policy issue or military action? How about more of his relationship with his wife and children?). While the reader is often told things like the incredible number of hours Lincoln put in while in the White House, the essence of Lincoln is left out.

Overall, I do believe the book is a worthwhile read - just be ready to spend plenty of time due to the large content!

Since this is the first comprehensive biography of Lincoln I have read, I cannot honestly compare it to other Lincoln biographers. However, I can say that I have read other biographies (Lee, Grant, etc.) of other famous Americans and I feel like I have gotten to know the person better instead of just knowing ABOUT the person.

Despite this, I still recommend the book.

Rating:
Summary: Long and Often Hard to Keep up But Worth It!
Review: I don't have much time to read as would like to so I read this book when I had time. It is well-crafted book. It offers the best biography of one of my favorite heroes. This book will give a clear view of Lincoln and his political life. Not much is written on his domestic life. For that you need to read the other book by David Herber Donald on Lincoln.

Rating:
Summary: LINCOLN
Review: This is a very good place to start with Abraham Lincoln. However, I wouldn''t make it your only resource.
There are a lot of other great novels such as "We Are Lincoln Men" and a lot more others.
However, this one book covers a lot about Lincoln.