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“2,000 + pages of Lincoln delight.”
Eric S wrote this review Thursday, October 25, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A journalist once remarked regarding Abraham Lincoln that "never was a man more cat-like in stealthily feeling his way before him." This is perhaps an excellent summary of the genius of America's great 16th president who had to balance Union conservatives (pro-slavery) and radical abolitionist interests in order to preserve the Union during a time of rebellion. However this does not capture the true heart of Abraham Lincoln. He was a man of humble beginnings, mostly self-taught, and who since childhood championed the cause of those who were more misfortunate than himself. He hated slavery, and became the Moses figure for millions of enslaved African Americans. He developed both as a leader as well as a man who trusted in his God as he experienced the death of two of his children, struggled with a difficult (to say the least) marriage, while shouldering the responsibilities of a nation at war with itself. Lincoln was both a man of his times, and a man for his times. Michael Burlingame spent much of this 2,000 page biographical masterpiece developing these multifaceted sides of Abraham Lincoln. There were moments when I wish that Burlingame could have concisely summarized the issues and the contrasting viewpoints regarding Lincoln's controversial actions (Emancipation Proclamation, passage of the 13th Amendment, etc.). However Burlingame was painting a picture for the reader - - a powerful picture which showed Lincoln's cat-like stealth and genius in moving the nation forward to a goal of union and equality. Reading the last page of this work was reminiscent of the week after I finished reading Lord of the Rings as a young person . . . I felt bereaved of my new-found friends Frodo and Gandalf. Analogously, I feel sad to leave friend and father Abraham Lincoln behind. Bravo to both our outstanding president and to Burlingame the biographer!”
tapbirds wrote this review Tuesday, September 18, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Regina L said: 4 stars
Play Book Tag Shelf wrote this review Friday, July 13, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Burlingame's two volumes are a comprehensive look at Lincoln's life. Volume I covers the years up to 1861, or through his election and taking office. The first volume is a truly a psychological study of Lincoln, exploring the events that developed his personality and philosophy on life and governance. I appreciated this approach because, while I was familiar with themes of Lincoln (difficult early years, the impact of his step-mother's death, evolution on ideas of religion and slavery, difficult marriage etc), Burlingame's delving into the specifics really helped me understand how Lincoln became Lincoln. Additionally, there were things of which I was completely unaware . For instance, I was unaware of that the totality of Lincoln's experience prior to the White House was one term in the state legislature and one term in Congress. What was most fascinating was tracing the people and events that moved Lincoln from a soft supporter of slavery, to one of not wanting to offend anyone, to eventually the Lincoln held up in the minds of the American consciousness today. Another aspect that Burlingame really drives home is how his choice in a marriage partner impacted his career. It is evident that Burlingame does not hold Mary in high esteem, painting her as "a woman who was to make his domestic life a burning, scorching hell as terrible as death and as gloomy as the grave". Burlingame goes on to assert Lincoln's homelife was the most contributing factor to Lincoln's ascendancy. ”
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