Lincoln by David Herbert Donald Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $8.35 You Save: $11.65 (58%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $7.84 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Lincoln
Book Review: The real Lincoln
Summary: 4 Stars
The Lincoln who emerges in this well-crafted but sometimes tedious biography is not the Lincoln of northern hagiography or southern demonology. He was a moderate who avoided controversial decisions as much as possible.
Lincoln did what he had to do, not always what he wanted to do. It becomes clear reading this book that the biggest mistake was made by the southern secessionists. In Lincoln they would have had a president who understood the contradictions of having blacks in America, who did not think they could become Americans and wanted them colonized abroad, and who certainly could live with slavery which he considered likely to disappear with time.
The southern fanatics misunderstood Lincoln and started the civil war. New England fanatical abolitionists are the real evil doers in this story.
Given our experience with segregation and failed integration perhaps slavery should have been left alone. It would have disappeared and perhaps the result would have been better than what we got through the civil war and reconstruction.
Book Review: Great Biography of a Great Man and Leader
Summary: 5 Stars
After reading the book "Leadership on Lincoln," I wanted to learn more about the life of this fascinating figure in American history. This title provides many details about the man, his many tragedies and failures, and his ultimate success as a leader. The author does well in not standing in the way of his subject -- he simply unfolds the story before the reader's eyes. This volume is rather large at 600 pages, but the read is an enjoyable one. For anyone wanting to discover a thorough treatment of the life of Abraham Lincoln, this book is an excellent investment.Book Review: Honest, lucid, well-researched
Summary: 5 Stars
This biography has a flow that pulls you in. I was surprised by some of the revelations, such as the complexity of internal politics he had to deal with. It gives an image of an honest, ambitious, great leader. A leader who himself is unsure of many things (such as the civil war). Recommended.Book Review: a sober biography without glorification or vilification
Summary: 5 Stars
David Herbert Donald truly does the work of the historian and allows the reader to come face to face with the real Lincoln. The importance of the subject demands as much: the upbringing, temperament, private life, politics, pressures, shortcomings, and ideals of the man who headed the United States during the civil war and ended the institution of slavery. Donald's biography captures all of this, but what I appreciated most was getting to see how Lincoln lived the conflict between some of America's greatest ideals and grimist realities in both what he was faced with and how he conducted himself as president.Book Review: A Great Read About an Even Greater Man
Summary: 5 Stars
Easily one of the best written Lincoln biographies of the last quarter century but not of all time. Donald's book has been labeled a masterpiece and while it comes close, I myself wouldn't go so far. I think it's an easy book to read and it flows very well. However, David Herbert Donald made the mistake (in my opinion) of leaving out the text of Abraham Lincoln's greatest speeches and letters (ex: the Gettysburg Address)if even for reference. Other than that, it is an amazing story of an amazing man. Abraham Lincoln has inspired many over the years and truly came from the most humble of beginnings to become the savior of the American Republic - one of the first American dreams realized. After reading this book, I guess the one thing I previously didn't comprehend is how Lincoln wasn't a hero during his presidency nor was he a master statesman - as history has since rightfully judged him to be. No matter how much you read about Lincoln, his life never ceases to amaze. "Lincoln" is good brief general biography of this amazing man and well worth the effort.