Rating: 
Summary: Insight into a remarkable American
Review: Abraham Lincoln was born and raised in America's frontier. As an adult, he was a politician and lawyer in Illinois, the free state that, perhaps, was most tolerant of slavery. Yet, Lincoln went against the grain and firmly made known his belief that the Declaration of Independence applied to Blacks, that they too were included in the statement "all men are created equal." Lincoln has often been villified by two distinct groups. Many on the left have branded him a racist. On the other hand, many who, in their minds, still fight the Civil War on behalf of the Confederacy, accuse him of hypocracy. In reading Miller's book, it is clear they are both wrong. Although Lincoln proposed sending freed slaves to Liberia, there is a reasonable interpretation to his motive other than racism: compassion. In other words, he probably forsaw the ill treatment freed slaves would receive and wanted to see them in a country where they would have full rights and political power. It is important to note that this colonization would have been voluntary: nobody would have been exiled. Also, in arguing against the spread of slaverey, Lincoln made statements that might be regarded as racist, such as disclamers that he thought Blacks should have full political rights. But, then again, if he had taken such a position at his time and place, he would have been branded an extremist. Therefore his arguments against the spread of slavery would have been discredited. In the best sense of the word, Lincoln was a skilled politician and his political tactics were not indicative of racism. Lincoln was far from a perfect human being. He became very well self educated and, therefore, and perhaps, inexcusably, he had no tolerance for his uneducated father. As an adult, he broke off virtually all contact with his father and, in my opinion, broke the commandment to honor his father. But then again, who knows what went on between Lincoln and his father? Maybe there were good reasons for his insensitivity. However, the available evidence seems to be that he was ashamed of his hard working, produtive father, because his father was not interested in improving his mind. This book is not a biography of Lincoln. Rather, it is an analysis of Lincoln's character. Significantly, the book does not cover his presidency. Rather it shows his character development up to his inaugeration. The book provides compelling reading. I would suggest that a standard biography of Lincoln, such as that by Donald or by Oates, be read prior to reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: A surprising gem
Review: An astonishingly compelling read. Nineteenth century US history may be limited in he public imagination to the Civil War, but the century was crucial in shaping the modern US. Miller's book traces Lincoln's evolution from a backwoods lawyer to the most revered statesman in US history, a martyr to the cause of freedom. It's a compelling read, exposing the battles between moral purity and expediency, jockeying for political position between the Whigs and the Democrats (with some interesting parallels to recent political history) , and the slow spread of abolitionist sentiment through the US. Miller largely omits mention of the war itself: the stories are well known, available elsewhere, done to death. But by the time you finish the book, the war seems - in retrospect - inevitable. While Miller obviously adores Lincoln, any puffery here is well bracketed by exposition of the man's flaws. What emerges is a complex portrait of a man seldom portrayed in more than a one-dimensional fashion, even in epic treatments of the Civil War such as Ken Burns' documentary.
Rating: 
Summary: Very good, but not great
Review: First, let me start off by talking about "the grade inflation" of most reviews on this website. I mean, let's be honest, do you really think there are that many books that deserve five stars? Ok, now that I've gotten that off my chest . . . . On to my review. I won't go into detail about Miller's book as others have done this already, and have done a better job than I could do. So, let me simply make a few observations. THIS BOOK IS NOT HAGIOGRAPHY! Miller does tell the story of what makes Lincoln a good man, and shows how this helped him to become a great President. To benefit from this book, you need to have a fairly good knowledge of Lincoln, otherwise you will be lost. Don't let this scare you off from reading the book. If you don't know much about Lincoln, or need to refresh your memory, read a one volume biography first. The only bone I have to pick with Miller and his views on Lincoln and his era is when it comes to Miller's virtual dismissal of the Abolitionist Movement. I got the impression that Miller viewed the abolitionist movement as a necessary evil: extreme and fanatical. What is surprising about this is that Miller doesn't really spend too much time discussing Lincoln's views of the abolitionists. In closing, let me say that I agree with Miller that Lincoln was a good man, and that this goodness made him a great President. However, I would encourage anyone interested in this era of history to take the time and effort to find and read Henry Mayer's masterful biography of William Garrison: All on Fire. Garrison was also a good man, and a great leader. Without him, slavery would have long continued and there would have been no Lincoln presidency!
Rating:
Summary: Very good, but not great
Review: First, let me start off by talking about "the grade inflation" of most reviews on this website. I mean, let's be honest, do you really think there are that many books that deserve five stars? Ok, now that I've gotten that off my chest . . . . On to my review. I won't go into detail about Miller's book as others have done this already, and have done a better job than I could do. So, let me simply make a few observations. THIS BOOK IS NOT HAGIOGRAPHY! Miller does tell the story of what makes Lincoln a good man, and shows how this helped him to become a great President. To benefit from this book, you need to have a fairly good knowledge of Lincoln, otherwise you will be lost. Don't let this scare you off from reading the book. If you don't know much about Lincoln, or need to refresh your memory, read a one volume biography first. The only bone I have to pick with Miller and his views on Lincoln and his era is when it comes to Miller's virtual dismissal of the Abolitionist Movement. I got the impression that Miller viewed the abolitionist movement as a necessary evil: extreme and fanatical. What is surprising about this is that Miller doesn't really spend too much time discussing Lincoln's views of the abolitionists. In closing, let me say that I agree with Miller that Lincoln was a good man, and that this goodness made him a great President. However, I would encourage anyone interested in this era of history to take the time and effort to find and read Henry Mayer's masterful biography of William Garrison: All on Fire. Garrison was also a good man, and a great leader. Without him, slavery would have long continued and there would have been no Lincoln presidency!
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding book
Review: I am 2/3 of the way through this book and I feel it is one of the ten best books I've ever read. The author's writing style is very enjoyable -- non-patronizing and doesn't feel like he's forcing erudition (both impressive for an academic). The tone is very engaging in its informal, almost whimsical nature. You feel more like you're chatting with a brilliant professor (which he clearly is) over beers about a subject that truly enthralls and excites him, rather than being lectured to, and the excitement is infectious. As far as subject matter, I find fascinating and well-argued the book's central premise: that the reputation for unique moral character which Abe Lincoln has gained was not a fluke or an accident, but the result of a lifetime of commitment to honesty and integrity in politics, and a long series of very specific, very practical choices to this end. Personally I would have liked to have seen a little more by way of connecting Lincoln's morality to established moral philosophical theory (there is admittedly some of this), but then Miller's goal is clearly more a specific look at Abe Lincoln's practical decisions regarding morality than a more comprehensive abstract analysis. I think the book has elements that would appeal to anyone interested in moral philosophy, Abe Lincoln specifically, politics, or U.S. History (including of course the Civil War and slavery). And if, like myself, you are interested in all of these topics, it is an absolute pleasure to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Highly readable, entertaining, and thought-provoking book.
Review: I bought this book immediately after hearing the author give a talk about Lincoln on our local public radio station. It has been a fascinating reading experience-I read the book cover to cover right away. Now I am slowly re-reading it, with many pauses for thought and reflection on the depth of Lincoln's political and moral genius. The author's premise is that these two talents need not be incompatible, and that Lincoln's life demonstrates that both could be taken to the highest level of accomplishment. The book is not a dull moral treatise, however. It is written with spirit, humanity and humor worthy of its subject. Growing up in Illinois, I was raised on the folksy backwoods cartoonlike interpretation of Lincoln presented by populizers like Carl Sandberg. I knew there must be more to the story, and this book has opened the door to whole a new world of ideas and information about our greatest American president.
Rating:
Summary: Lincoln: From the Inside Out
Review: In pursuit of a literary project concerning Lincoln myself, this was the book I found most useful - after plowing through many recitations of external events. Mr. Miller has done an exceptional job in showing the landscape of Lincoln's thinking: where it started, how it changed - and stays eminently fair-minded throughout. Plus this book is something of a revelation in non-fictional literary style: conversational in places. But, in other places, conceptually very dense. And a great sense of humor. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Lincoln's Virtues: An Ethical Biography
Review: Lincoln's Virtues approaches this much - written - about figure from wholly new standpoint. As a biography uniquely revealing of its subject's heart and mind, it represents a major contribution to the current and perennial American discussion of national moral conduct, and of the relationship between politics and morality.
Rating:
Summary: Great for Teaching about Lincoln
Review: Miller's book has proven to be a valuable resource for me in teaching about Lincoln and the moral issues of his times. The author's unique approach to the ethical development of the politician/president enables students to see the complexities of leadership. An excellent and helpful work.
Rating:
Summary: Riveting, if a bit long-winded
Review: Miller's careful discovery of Lincoln's moral and ethical disposition is amazingly perceptive. I am struck by how Lincoln's generosity and good nature did not diminish his moral resolve. Miller himself writes that whereas the saying goes absolute power corrupts absolutely, for Lincoln, greater power meant that he became all the more serious about his stewardship to do good. Miller asserts that this Lincoln hallmark was the result of Lincoln's deliberate and deep reflections about what he believed is right and wrong. One aspect of Miller's style that readers may not enjoy is that he is sometimes long-winded. He tends to enjoy exegesis of Lincoln's speeches or letters, and sometimes repeats himself with just a few different words. However, for me, this was just an attestation to Miller's admiration for his subject. I think even serious Lincoln readers will benefit from Miller's analyses, as he overturns more than a few common beliefs about Lincoln's character.
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