Abraham Lincoln: A Biography [Hardcover]

Lord Charnwood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 26, 1996

No other narrative account of Abraham Lincoln's life has inspired such widespread and lasting acclaim as Charnwood's Abraham Lincoln: A Biography. Written by a native of England and originally published in 1916, the biography is a rare blend of beautiful prose and profound historical insight. Charnwood's study of Lincoln's statesmanship introduced generations of Americans to the life and politics of Lincoln and the author's observations are so comprehensive and well-supported that any serious study of Lincoln must respond to his conclusions.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Though many portraits of the 16th President have been published since this first appeared in 1916, this remains one of the best.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Charnwood's Lincoln is one of the clearest analyses ever attempted. It possesses an almost noble rhythm that makes it rank as literature. . . . His book sought the reasons behind Lincoln's actions and lifted the whole field of Lincoln studies to an international plane which later writers would keep in view. (Andrew Rolle )

Charnwood's Lincoln is one of the clearest analyses ever attempted. It possesses an almost noble rhythm that makes it rank as literature. . . . His book sought the reasons behind Lincoln's actions and lifted the whole field of Lincoln studies to an international plane which later writers would keep in view. (Andrew Rolle )

Lord Charnwood's remains the best Lincoln biography. It captures the interweaving of principle and prudence that makes Lincoln our most impressive and interesting political figure. (Kristol, William The Weekly Standard )

Charnwood's biography remains one of the great landmarks in Lincoln literature because of its elegant style, its transatlantic perspective, and its thoughtful, keenly investigative approach to the subject. (Don E. Fehrenbacher )

There are many Lincolns on our shelves, but Charnwood's Abraham Lincoln is still the one I reach for and read with the greatest satisfaction. (William S. McFeely )

There are many Lincolns on our shelves, but Charnwood's Abraham Lincoln is still the one I reach for and read with the greatest satisfaction. (William S. McFeely )

Charnwood saw Lincoln in enlightened, universal terms, as Lincoln saw himself at his best. (Gabor Boritt )

For over fifty years I have been recommending it . . . No biography written in the intervening years . . . comes close to Charnwood in its appreciation of Lincoln's intellectual brilliance and grandeur. (Jaffa, Harry V. )

It should remain robustly alive as long as readers are fascinated by the vagaries of individual character and enthralled by masterly storytelling. Those unacquainted with the book should read it. Those who have not read it recently should read it again. (Alf J. Mapp, Jr. )

Though many portraits of the 16th President have been published since this first appeared in 1916, this remains one of the best. (Library Journal )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Madison Books (July 26, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568330669
• ISBN-13: 978-1568330662
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,064,094 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the greatest studies of Lincoln, November 29, 1999

By 

Joseph Harder - See all my reviews

This review is from: Abraham Lincoln (Civil War) (Paperback)

Though it is dated in some of its facts and assessments,Lord Charnwoods classic study of Lincoln remains one of the dozen or so greatest books ever written about our greatest President.What sets it apart from most other studies of the sixteenth President is the attention it gives the intellectual and spiritual underpinnings of Lincoln's life and actions. It is, in short a work of philosophical history, not a dry recitation of facts. Charnwood is interested in the moral meaning of democracy and the scope and limits of democratic leadership. He performs his task beautifully. I , for one , found his old-fashioned Victorian prose a joy to read, and a relief from the cliche' ridden jargon that too often passes for literate prose today. A great book by a foriegn observer of America, fully worthy of being placed beside Tocqueville and Bryce.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating study of Abraham Lincoln, January 22, 2005

By 

Joshua Reicks "dack02" (Ames, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Abraham Lincoln: A Biography (Paperback)

There is something about the British and their outlook towards American politics which is quite enjoyable. They bring a refreshing civility and admiration for political thought and history that is more often than not absent in today's North American biographers. In this biography of Lincoln Charnwood delves deep into the political atmosphere in which Lincoln rose to power and saw America through one of its most trying hours. The author delivers a deep sense of what a thoughtful and kind man that Lincoln was. It is an an unflinching look at Lincoln's spiritual side in which in comparison to today's commander-in-chief is quite startling for their similarities and differences.
His dissection of the politics of the era is simply fascinating. This is a book for anyone who has a keen apreciation of politics and history. Charnwood's unflinching directness in his portrayal of Lincoln leaves the reader with the sense that not only does the author have the deepest respect for Lincoln but that that Lincoln deserved every bit of it. My copy of this book is a beat up 1950's paperback I found in a thrift store to accompany me on a trip to Louisiana and I would recommend to anyone who can get their hands on one.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best, April 5, 2007

By 

Adam Tomczik (Minnesota) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Abraham Lincoln: A Biography (Paperback)

Lord Charnwood's 1916 volume remains one of the finest portraits of Abraham Lincoln yet produced. Charnwood offers nuanced insight into Lincoln's mind and his character, probing much deeper and more convincingly than later authors were able. Charnwood's brief treatment of Lincoln's complicated religious faith (tied in with the section on the Second Inaugural Address) was particularly poignant.

I suggest William E. Gienapp's "Abraham Lincoln and Civil War America" (2002) for learners who are new to Lincoln or have lost touch with him since 9th grade history class. Gienapp synthesizes all the latest research and criticism within Lincolnian studies into a brief yet surprisingly thorough 240-page book.

After that, step up to Charnwood. It is truly great historical writing (almost literary in moments) and one of the best character studies published of a truly incredible human being.