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.
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Book Description
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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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, author of Lincoln: A Contemporary Portrait )
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. (William Kristol 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, Stanford University )
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, Author, Grant: A Biography )
Charnwood saw Lincoln in enlightened, universal terms, as Lincoln saw himself at his best. (Gabor Boritt, Author, Lincoln and the Economics of the American Dream )
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. (Harry V. Jaffa, Henry Salvatori Research Professor of Political Philosophy Emeritus, Claremont McKenna College )
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., author, Thomas Jefferson: Passionate Pilgrim and Frock Coats and Epaulets )
Though many portraits of the 16th President have been published since this first appeared in 1916, this remains one of the best. (Library Journal ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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. (William Kristol 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, Stanford University )
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, Author, Grant: A Biography )
Charnwood saw Lincoln in enlightened, universal terms, as Lincoln saw himself at his best. (Gabor Boritt, Author, Lincoln and the Economics of the American Dream )
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. (Harry V. Jaffa, Henry Salvatori Research Professor of Political Philosophy Emeritus, Claremont McKenna College )
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., author, Thomas Jefferson: Passionate Pilgrim and Frock Coats and Epaulets )
Though many portraits of the 16th President have been published since this first appeared in 1916, this remains one of the best. (Library Journal ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format: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
Format: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.
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
Format: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.
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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good Pro Lincoln Biography
Originally published in 1916, Charnwood's biography is a well written account of the actions Lincoln took throughout his lifetime. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Smoss
An Ugly Book
I have three editions of Lincoln biographys-- Sandburg's, Donald's and Guelzo's-- and not one of them is aesthetically appealing. This one, by Charnwood, is by far the worst. Read more
Published 19 months ago by A Reader
Plodding Prose
Stylistically congested. Although written just after the turn of the 20th century, it could have been written a century before. Read more
Published on February 23, 2010 by S. Wasserman
Missing Pages
I guess it was fluke, but I have tried two (2) copies of this book and in both copies pages 233-264 were missing and pages 265-296 are repeated twice. Read more
Published on January 7, 2006 by Kenneth D. Willis
Good, but not a great introduction to Lincoln
This was an excellent historical record of probably the greatest American that ever lived. However, it has long, complex, diffcult to read wording that makes it somewhat... Read more
Published on July 27, 1999
excellent and concise. had some uncertian facts though.
interesting in that it was written from a british perspective. i have read several biographies on lincoln and would recommend this book as an introductory volume for those who want... Read more
Published on March 21, 1999
excellent and concise. had some uncertian facts though.
interesting in that it was written from a british perspective. i have read several biographies on lincoln and would recommend this book as an introductory volume for those who want... Read more
Published on March 21, 1999
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First Sentence:
THE subject of this memoir is revered by multitudes of his countrymen as the preserver of their commonwealth. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, Abraham Lincoln, South Carolina, Jefferson Davis, New York, Fort Sumter, Southern States, Bull Run, Great Britain, Missouri Compromise, Supreme Court, Joseph Johnston, New Orleans, New Salem, Northern States, Constitutional Amendment, General Scott, Dred Scott, Kirby Smith, New England, War Department, Declaration of Independence, Eastern Tennessee, Southern Confederacy, West Virginia New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
THE subject of this memoir is revered by multitudes of his countrymen as the preserver of their commonwealth. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, Abraham Lincoln, South Carolina, Jefferson Davis, New York, Fort Sumter, Southern States, Bull Run, Great Britain, Missouri Compromise, Supreme Court, Joseph Johnston, New Orleans, New Salem, Northern States, Constitutional Amendment, General Scott, Dred Scott, Kirby Smith, New England, War Department, Declaration of Independence, Eastern Tennessee, Southern Confederacy, West Virginia New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 23
books:
See all 23 books this book cites
- Abraham Lincoln (The Great Americans Series) by Jean F. Blashfield on page 100, page 450, and Back Matter
- American Commonwealth, The by James Bryce in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Queen Victoria (Profiles) by Lesley Young in Back Matter
- Abraham Lincoln (American statesmen) by John T. Morse in Back Matter
- The Civil War: In the Writings of Col. G.F.R. Henderson by G. F. R. Henderson in Back Matter
See all 23 books this book cites
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