Abraham Lincoln: Sixteenth President of the United States (Encyclopedia of Presidents) [Library Binding]

Jim Hargrove (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1991 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Encyclopedia of Presidents

Traces the life of the frontier clerk, storekeeper, lawyer, politician, and Civil War President.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7-- The unhappy period preceding and during the Civil War produced the presidents, two weak and one great, whose lives are covered by this portion of the "Encyclopedia of Presidents" series. Each book opens with a significant event in the subject's presidency, while the second chapter begins the story of his life. Each author has carefully set the president's life, achievements, and beliefs within the context of the time in which he lived, with the result that Pierce and Buchanan are judged less harshly here than in most other works. While not excusing Pierce for his pro-slavery position, Simon presents him as a man of principle whose belief in states' rights combined with the overwhelming problems confronting him led to his failure as a president. Brill demonstrates that the patience and moderation which made Buchanan a successful diplomat caused him to be ineffective in dealing with the increasingly violent factions within his own country. All three biographies seem to be free from fictionalizing, with quotations restricted mainly to statements which were made in public. Curiously, however, Buchanan's expression of relief to Lincoln upon leaving the White House is quoted differently in the two books. The authors do not minimize the suffering of Pierce and Lincoln resulting from the early deaths of their children and the subsequent depression of their wives, but for the most part, these are biographies of public rather than private lives. All three are liberally illustrated in black-and-white with early photographs, political cartoons, drawings, and engravings. While none of the books approaches the standard of insight or writing set by Russell Freedman in Lincoln: a Photobiography (Clarion, 1987), all are well-written introductions to their subjects which will be invaluable sources of information for school reports as well as objective, readable biographies. --Jean H. Zimmerman, Willett School, South River, N.J.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding: 100 pages
• Publisher: Children's Press (CT) (September 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0516013599
• ISBN-13: 978-0516013596
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,999,403 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jim Hargrove worked as a writer and editor for most of his adult life. After serving as an editorial director for three small Chicago area publishers, he began a career as a freelance writer, writing several dozen books for children and young adults, many for Childrens Press of Chicago.

He has contributed works to more than twenty different publishers, including magazine, newspaper and encyclopedia articles. More recently he, he developed a number of websites, including one about Lee Harvey Oswald. After building a home in southeastern Wisconsin, he began a second career in real estate, hoping to never write anything else for the remainder of his life.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Rather good info, November 16, 2000

By 

Richard Long (Malaysia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Abraham Lincoln: Sixteenth President of the United States (Encyclopedia of Presidents) (Library Binding)

When my younger brother first saw this book, he was full of enthusiasm, reading it page by page. But slowly, he grew bored with it and just put it aside. It was very informative about American presidents but not engaging enough for him. On the other hand, the price is rather expensive. Those aside, I think this book is a great read (if your interested that is).