Dear Mr. Lincoln: Letters To The President [Paperback]

Harold Holzer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 20, 1995

A collection of letters written to Abraham Lincoln between the years of 1860 and 1865 offers insight into a cultural and political era and contains both letters of hate and letters of admiration.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This work provides a fascinating account of the thoughts of a nation as directed to President Lincoln through correspondence. Originally organized and weeded by personal secretaries, the surviving letters are arranged topically, as they were sometimes kept by Lincoln himself. The introduction provides the background needed to understand how the large volume of mail to Lincoln was handled and sorted. The letters cover a wide variety of topics, from advice, complaints, and compliments to threats. For example, he was advised to grow a beard, chided about Mrs. Lincoln's spending, and awarded the city of Savannah as a Christmas gift by General Sherman in 1864. Brief editorial comments following the letters help the reader place them in context. Overall, the work is well organized and edited and provides additional insight into both Lincoln and public opinion at the time. Recommended for all libraries.
- Barbara Zaborowski, Cambria Cty. Lib., Johnstown, Pa.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Holzer has assembled a priceless collection of letters written to Abraham Lincoln while he was president. From his election to his assassination, Lincoln was deluged with unofficial correspondence from ordinary citizens pertaining to a wide variety of topics: advice and instruction; compliments and congratulations; complaints and criticisms; family matters; and threats and warnings. For each letter, Holzer offers a brief explanatory note. Delightfully literate; recommended for sizable Civil War collections. Margaret Flanagan --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; First Edition. 1st pb edition (January 20, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201408295
• ISBN-13: 978-0201408294
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,803,063 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What life was like during the Civil War..., August 20, 2000

By 

Kersi Von Zerububbel "Kersi" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dear Mr. Lincoln: Letters To The President (Paperback)

This is a fascinating book of letters to Abe Lincoln by people from all walks of life. Some are terribly moving as the one by the widow of a veteran asking for a referral. Some are eye openers filled with hate that are comical until one pauses to think of the consequences. There are even mundane letters such as the one from ex-president Buchanan asking for a set of his history books to be returned. In reading this book one can often be transposed to a different era, a different mindset, and a different century. This is the grist mill of history. I am so saddened that this book is out of print. Thank goodness I ordered my copy from Amazon.com about 1.5 years ago. If you can possibly get this volume somewhere grab it. Well worth your perusal.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "I culd a gaht a job!", July 27, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Dear Mr. Lincoln: Letters To The President (Paperback)

From the distant cousin who, based upon Abe's knowing him so well, "wulda thot I culd a gaht a job!" to the ministers who sought to pray to the political leaders who sought to have their advice taken to heart, this is a wonderful view of Civil War America. The letters are of course the focal point of the book. But it is what they say in their totality rather than individually that impresses. Lincoln heard from all facets of his nation. (And this was before e-mail and telephones!) He heard little of approval and much of dis-approval from critique to hatred. A great mass of mothers seeking draft exemptions, fathers wanting postmasters' jobs, and preachers seeking to show him the light bombarded the Presidential desk. Some were poignant. A few were even wise. All, in total, were America. Equally fascinating is the first portion of the book which is a thumbnail but thorough history of the Presidential "staff" which eventually grew to three people in number! A great book!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A different, but excellent book on Abraham Lincoln, June 21, 1998

By 

Steve ([e-mail]) (Mid-West, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dear Mr. Lincoln: Letters to the President (Hardcover)

I found "Dear Mr. Lincoln" to be facinating because it contains correspondence Lincoln received from the famous to the unknown; from the educated to the illiterate; from wealthy white men, to poor ex-slaves and women. It also includes letters from children, and many other people during Lincoln's era. Much of this material is funny, some sad, but always interesting. "Dear Mr. Lincoln" is a definite buy for serious Lincoln fans.