Pulitzer Prize-winniner and Best-selling author James M. McPherson has concisely written a wonderful brief biography of our sixteenth president, Abraham Lincoln. He has given very compelling and enlightening political life of Abraham Lincoln and also shown his significant contribution to the United States. He purposelly managed to design a short and compact bibliography of our sixteenth president in a simple, readable, and logical manner which revealed some important aspects of his life. Its clear and accurate narration makes this book very attractive and interesting for beginners who wants some overview of Abraham Lincoln's life and also prompt them to read multi-volume bibliography of his legacy and presidency... In the preface, he stated that, "Amid this cascade of information, I believe there is room for a …show more content…
This is what I have tried to do in the following pages."( ) This book Abraham Lincoln reflects some essential and important aspects of Lincoln's life from his childhood to his political career. Mcpherson covered some personal side of Abraham Lincoln which includes his darkened relationships with his father and with his wife. and also his affection for his step- mother. He discussed how his father and other influences initiate him against slavery and make him passionate to abolish this inhuman system, whereas he widely discussed Lincoln's political life: rise in republican party, election in 1860, hardships during presidency, struggle to keep union together during civil war crisis, emancipation proclamation and the presidential election in 1864. He discussed shortly about his assassination in the end in one paragraph. Basically the entire book deals with Lincoln's hatred for slavery and efforts to pursuing Emanicipulation Proclamation to end slavery.. In addition, Mcpherson wonderfully reflected his great works towards human welfare and nation betterment like railroads, taxes, currency related policies, and
I chose Chasing Lincolns killer because I remember learning about Lincoln as a kid and always loved learning about him. Since I already learned about how Lincoln died I figured it would be interesting to learn about the killer. I also didn’t find any of the other book that seemed to catch my eye like this book.
Williams portrays Lincoln in a very positive light, allowing the reader to realize the greatness of Lincoln, in his compassion, strategy, statesmanship and lack of ego. Williams has provided numerous instances wherein he provides ample support to his arguments and facts. In spite of the unnecessary detail and verbosity that Williams sometimes uses, there is no doubt that this book is a remarkable insight into Lincoln’s persona.
James Oakes gave a brilliant and unique perspective to a relationship between two well known historical figures of their time. Abraham Lincoln is a well-admired president for the United States because as Americans culture teaches that he was an honest and well-respected man. He heard about a young African American man, who had high aspirations for his life and the blossoming United States. This man’s name was Frederick Douglass. James Oakes demonstrates how both Douglass and Lincoln worked towards the abolishment of slavery and effectively producing better outcomes within antislavery politics.
Frederick Douglass goes on a journey to help stop slavery. Anti-Slavery movement. February 1818 – February 20, 1895. Frederick Douglass, Anna Murray, African American people, Slaves. To stop the people from being slaves. Frederick Douglass Cuts through the Lincoln Myth to Consider the Man. Frederick Douglass. 1849. Ireland, Britain, United States. Learning to be equal with others. In Frederick Douglass “Cuts through the Lincoln myth to consider the man”; he motivates his/her intended audience during the Anti-Slavery Movement by using the rhetorical devices or tone and imagery.
Thomas DiLorenzo’s purpose in writing The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War is to portray the idea of a different side of one of America’s greatest presidents. Abraham Lincoln is indeed one of the most written about “American political figure[s]” (1). However, The Real Lincoln is devoted to revealing the true mindset and agenda of Abraham Lincoln during his time of presidency. DiLorenzo, in one single book, undermines the political choices and strategies of Abraham Lincoln. He challenges the decisions Lincoln made; specifically stating that Lincoln “could have ended slavery just as dozens of other countries in the world did” (4).
. .’, concludes James Oakes’ book with the aftermath of the Civil War and Lincoln’s assassination. Oakes discussed the respect Douglass gathered for Lincoln over the years and the affect his assassination had on both himself and America as a whole. Oakes even brushed over Douglass’ relationship with Andrew Johnson, the president succeeding Lincoln. Analyzing his experience with the new president, it was safe to say that Andrew Johnson had no consideration as to what Douglass and Lincoln previously fought for. Johnson did not have the same political skills as Lincoln did, and he did not retain the same view for America that Lincoln did. It was obvious that Douglass held Lincoln at a higher standard than Andrew Johnson, stating that he was a “progressive man, a humane man, an honorable man, and at heart an anti-slavery man” (p. 269). Oakes even gave his own stance on Andrew Jackson, “It was a legacy that Andrew Johnson could ever match. When all of Lincoln’s attributes were taken into consideration - his ascent from the obscurity to greatness, his congenial temperament, his moral courage - it was easy for Douglass to imagine how much better things would be ‘had Mr. Lincoln been living today’.” (p. 262). It is hard to imagine the pre-war Douglass to have said something like that as opposed to an older, much more reserved Douglass. With the abolishment of slavery, so came much discrimination. Without
Thomas Dilorenzo was born August 8 , 1954 in Pennsylvania. In The Real Lincoln , Thomas Dilorenzo breaks down the honest agenda and task of Abraham Lincoln. Often Lincoln was looked at as a heroic ender of slavery and a strong protector of our Constitution. Born February 12 , 1809, Lincoln was a very determined and hard working man who was determined to get the job done no matter what it took. Even if some of his choices weren't the safest route to go he would enforce his commands and make sure his goals are reached. DiLorenzo was determined to bring out the truth to the world about our 16th president Lincoln . We've heard a lot about Abe throughout history lessons, books and movies, but how much of those stories are actually accurate .
David Herbert Donald's Lincoln is a biography of our sixteenth President, Abraham Lincoln. At the age of twenty one, he was sure he did not want to be like his father Thomas Lincoln, an uneducated farmer, so he left his fathers house permanently. He had many jobs, learned many lessons, and made both friends and enemies, all which helped him to become one of the greatest presidents of the United States of America during the time the country had split, the Civil War. Thoroughly researched and excellently written, this biography comes alive and shows us what really happened during the early to mid-nineteenth century and it still puts us in the point of view of our former president, using the information and ideas available to him.
The name of the novel I read was “Chasing Lincoln’s Killer” by James L. Swanson. It was a very accurate and exciting story about president Abraham Lincoln and his assassination, as well as the vigorous search for the man who did it. President Lincoln’s murder will not go un-justified and the killer will be caught and will be served his right for his villainous actions. The novel is very creative and has lots of interesting facts if you did not know anything about the killer of Abraham Lincoln or anything about the president himself. I mean other than the fact that he is labeled on currency all over the United States, Lincoln was a very big part of history. He lead the U.S. throughout the harsh times of the Civil War and strengthened the Federal
Dilorenzo, Thomas J.. The Real Lincoln: a new look at Abraham Lincoln, his agenda, and an unnecessary war. Roseville, Calif: Prima, 2002
I learned a lot of information about one of America’s most profound President’s. I liked how the book brought Lincoln into a common man’s point of view. Before reading this book I had thought of President Lincoln almost as a character in a folk tale, a hero in the story of America’s past. I had envisioned him almost as a god among men, whereas this book quickly changed that perception, showing some of his human flaws such as being so uncomfortable around women that he often avoided their company altogether. Another thing I really enjoyed about this book was how it walked the reader through the struggles that Lincoln went through in his early life, a part that of his life I had never heard about. It was very interesting and kind of sad to read about Lincoln’s detachment from his family and his father. The book did a great job of describing his self-studies and his motivation to better himself through education. In the text it described Lincoln’s path to politics from a young man all the way through his presidency to his assassination. I found it very interesting the difference in the way politics was carried out compared to how it is today. One specific example that really opened my eyes to the stark differences was when he threw a man over a fence after that man started heckling the man who was speaking. After reading that I was shocked because if that happened today Lincoln’s political career would likely be over and there would probably be charges pressed against him. I enjoyed reading this book, it taught me a lot about the Civil War, but even more so I really liked that it described Lincoln’s early life in such
Abraham Lincoln describes the life of Abraham Lincoln, and the events leading up to his presidency and up to death. In Benjamin P. Thomas’ book, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas describes Lincoln’s life; including his early life and his presidency leading to his death. Thomas betrays Lincoln as a man of courage, strength, and perseverance. The main theme throughout the biography is how, unlike his father, Lincoln made the best out of his life. Lincoln proved to America that he could handle presidency and he could handle the pressure that comes with it. Thomas continued this theme throughout the entire biography and enhanced his writing to keep the reader interested.
His personal beliefs had always been opposed to slavery. He believed that the Founding Fathers had put slavery on the road to extinction, and he wanted to continue it down that path. Lincoln acted very professional; he always put the nation before his personal perspective. It transformed the fight to preserve the nation into a battle for human freedom. According to the history book “A People and a Nation”, the Emancipation Proclamation was legally an ambiguous document, but as a moral and political document it had great meaning.
Abraham Lincoln is regarded by many Americans as the greatest president to ever hold office in the history of the United States, and his reputation is definitely well deserved. Lincoln wasn't scared to stand up and fight for what he knew was right. He was convinced that within the branches of government, the presidency alone was empowered not only to uphold the Constitution, but also to protect, and defend it. Lincoln was able to lead our country and preserve the Union, keeping the United States from splintering during the devastating times of the Civil War. As President, he built the Republican Party into a strong national organization, and he rallied most of the northern Democrats to the Union cause. On January 1, 1863, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation that changed the war into a battle for freedom and declared forever free those slaves within the Confederacy. That November, Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address, which stated how a country must be dedicated to human freedom in order to survive. He dedicated the battlefield to the soldiers who had perished, and called on the living to finish the task the dead soldiers had begun. (Donald, 1995) Lincoln believed that democracy could be a lasting form of government. He showed a nobility of character that had worldwide appeal, and he was a man of great integrity. However, Lincoln was not only the 16th president of the United States, he was an American hero. Lincoln was a well-rounded individual and he had numerous outstanding qualities. However, it is important to remember that Lincoln also led a private life, complete with close friends and family.
Gore Vidal’s “Lincoln” was an excellent narrative of the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln. Through Vidal’s portrayal of the personality of Lincoln and the people surrounding him it was easy to get an idea of the leadership role that Lincoln played during presidency. After reading many accounts of Lincoln during my research for my paper, I found that Vidals account was extremely accurate. Most interesting was the commanding yet passive relationship that Lincoln had with the members of his cabinet and his generals. Vidal also gave a portrayal of the capitol during the 1860’s that is seldom mentioned in any of the Literature that I have read. These accounts really help to get a feel for the environment in which Lincoln made his decisions. Lincoln’s family life was also revealed in some detail in the novel which helps us to see the personal dilemmas and tragedies that Lincoln had to overcome while he was president. Overall Vidal’s portrait of Lincoln was interesting and accurate to my knowledge. It gives an extraordinary view of the leadership of President Abraham Lincoln.