Customer Reviews

Lincoln: An Illustrated Biography

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The quality of this book is what first grabs you. The paper is thick, glossy and has weight, it reproduces 19th century photographs beautifully. The text is ancillary and never intrudes upon the primary focus here, which are the photographs of Lincoln, his family and the people who shaped his extraordinary life. The text illuminates and expands upon the photographs, giving dates and other pertinent information.

If you're looking for a full-scale biography of Lincoln, look elsewhere, this is primarily a visual treat and one of the better photographic compilations on any President.

Philip B. Kunhardt is to be highly commended for this outstanding photographic history of Abraham Lincoln. Not only are the photographs captivating, but the narrative of Lincolns life and the important events during his lifetime are interesting and enhance this book. Many interesting stories go along with the photographs of Lincoln from his 40's to his last days, however the most interesting part in my opinion is the month by month account of his presidency and the important events that occured. So much about the man has been written, but until this book was published not as many photos of President Lincoln were circulated or published. Just as important, are the events and stories which swirled around Lincoln. From his habits and humor to his history changing decisions are written in clarity and interesting form. His life and his loves are given with compassion, and his impossible losses of his sons and his mentally unballanced wife Mary Todd Lincoln is given unflinchingly. The last chapter of the book is about the assassination and the controversy surrounding Lincoln's remains, a very interesting and informative chapter to close with. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in U.S. History or 19th Century U.S. History.

This gorgeous book is now the crowning centerpiece of my new coffee table. I am the proud owner of several Lincoln books, but none seem to capture the words unsaid in pictures quite like this. We are privy to not only Lincoln himself, but Mary Todd in her old days (adorned by a pseudo-ghost behind her), along with Robert and Tad after the White House years. Each page is filled with stories and anecdotes about our 16th president. Well worth the money listed. Indulge and enjoy your backstep into history.

Kudos to the publisher Knopf and all involved on the quality of this book. The reproduction of the 19th century photographs is first rate. The sepia toned image of the great man inside the front cover is exceptionally gorgeous - just breathtaking.

John Updike said Knopf publishes the most physically beautiful books in America, and this book leads me to believe he's right.

This is not a comprehesive, scholarly biography of Lincoln, nor does it pretend to be. But the text reads well, and the Lincoln photographs are beautiful, all-inclusive and presented in sound written context. The large size of the book works particularly nicely here. Well done!

Over 400 pages of pictures of Abraham Lincoln, his family, friends and enemies. This volume contains every known picture of Lincoln, including the ones used on the penny and 5 dollar bill. Which are 2 of his worst presidential poses. The compilation is so complete it contains a picture of his horse, Old Bob, (unfortunately, there is no extant picture of his other horse, New Bob) and his dog, Fido.

The text is easy-going and informative without any scholarly weightiness and the only mistake I could detect is on p. 71. Can you find it? The same consortium produced a very fine 4-part documentary for PBS.

This is a fantastic and beautiful book--oversized, loaded with more photos than you've ever seen in a Lincoln book, and worthy of coffee-table display. But it's not just a picture book. Each page is jam-packed with text, including an account of a dream Lincoln had about his own assassination. You'll definitely want the hardback version. Even if you've got a hefty collection of Lincoln lore, you must add this book to your shelves!

This gorgeous book is now the crowning centerpiece of my new coffee table. I am the proud owner of several Lincoln books, but none seem to capture the words unsaid in pictures quite like this. We are privy to not only Lincoln himself, but Mary Todd in her old days (adorned by a pseudo-ghost behind her), along with Robert and Tad after the White House years. Each page is filled with stories and anecdotes about our 16th president. Well worth the money listed. Indulge and enjoy your backstep into history.

I loved this book. It was in great shape when I received it. The book was advertised as having information and pictures never before seen in other books. I have read many books on Lincoln and there were pictures and info in there that were new to me. It is the first time that I had seen a picture of Tad Lincoln as a teen and of Robert Lincoln also as a teen. I read every word and loved it. It was written in such a way that when Lincoln was killed, it made me cry like it had just happened. My husband said, "Why are you crying?" and I said, "Lincoln was shot!" and he said, "Well I have known that for years!" Audrey Sofield/Barber

I had the unusual experience of reading three Lincoln biographies in a row - Team of Rivals, 1876/J. Winick, and this. I just loved the completeness of this, the lack fo agenda and basis on facts and documents, and careful editing of texts. Team of Rivals is full of poor editing and strange emphases -- some themes just get too much attention and airtime in balance, and its almost like a team writing effort run amuck. The Kunhardts work methodically and thoroughly and make even the smallest item in their collection so informative. A lovely classy book.

This is the best collection of Lincoln and Lincoln related photos I have ever seen. It took me more than an hour just to leaf through its pages the first time.

Possibly every picture taken of the iconic president (some completely new to me) is in here. I had read once of Lincoln's "leathery" complexion, but saw it for the first time here. In some pictures, Lincoln is nearly handsome (!) and in some his plain homeliness is clear. Put together chronologically, the reader watches the young man age and be worn by the war. Photography at the time required long exposures, so anything approaching a smile is difficult and so Lincoln smiles are very rare. In addition to Lincoln, his family, friends, rivals, generals and secretaries are here, many famous, many not. A few pictures are repeated when the text needs the visual support. Picture of his towns, his few homes, even the sort of fences he built are here. There are few Civil War battlefield pictures but those can be found elsewhere.

The text, a panegyric, is helpful for Lincoln novices and often with well chosen quotations from the man and his contemporaries. The authors do not distinguish between the prolific but suspect recollections of law partner Herndon or relative Dennis Hanks and the more credible witnesses. This is a visual paean to Lincoln, well put together and worth owning.

One more note: it is often hard, in other books, to see Lincoln's eyes, shadowed by his heavy untrimmed eyebrows and increasingly sunken in his face. Lincoln's intelligent eyes become progressively sad and experienced, bagged and wrinkled. Perhaps that combination is what we see as wise.