I would recommend this book to anyone interested in studying Lincoln or the Civil War. The author does an excellent job in presenting a mostly unbiased opinion. By stating in the introduction that he allows room for error in his opinions, he sets himself aside from the fanatics and characterizes himself more as a historian in search of the truth than as a man trying to paint Lincoln as he thinks he should be viewed. Moreover, the breath, not sacrificing the depth, of this book is incredible. It covers Lincoln's family and personal life and carries the reader all the way through his assassination. The Lincoln Nobody Knows presents Lincoln as both a down to earth man and as a complex, indispensable historical figure. It causes one to revaluate what he previously held to be fact about Lincoln and it allows room for interpretation-the author doesn't always give an opinion for the reader. Most are "inclined, quite naturally, to discover in Lincoln the beliefs that they themselves espouse," (57). This remains feasible since Lincoln will always be an enigma, but to his credit Current presents sound facts for his arguments and presents both sides, drawing upon many respectable sources. He begins by describing Lincoln's personal and family life-his mother's possible illegitimate birth all the way to Lincoln's relationships with women and Ann Rutledge specifically. It then goes into his involvement in the beginnings of the civil war, his policies and their changes, and the way he conducted the war. That being done, the author finishes by discussing his larger role as a politician, an emancipator, a commander in chief, a martyr and a myth. All of this does well in presenting the multidimensionality of Abraham Lincoln, and it makes one realize that there are not easy answers to questions about good old Abe. It is important to note that much of this text is controversial and a portion of it has implications beyond his contributions to American history-it attempts to define who Lincoln was as a man, not as an idol.

The United States may be a liberal nation, but liberal belief differ. This metahistory dissects these philosophic strains, and explain how the liberal viewpoint breeds consensus and contention. Lincoln's philosophy and that of other thinkers are clearly explained. The author conclusions are lucid and explicit making it a joy to follow his reasoning.

With its reproduction of over 50 rare prints from the 19th century, Harold Holzer's LINCOLN SEEN & HEARD is a rare treasure trove of Lincoln images. Holzer, author of several studies on Abraham Lincoln, offers rich biographical and historical details during his visual and textual analysis.

Holzer's study of Lincoln's public image in iconography and language is logically divided into thematic chapters. In his study of the comtemporary visual iconography of Abraham Lincoln, Holzer examines images of Lincoln as the Great Emancipator and as the Commander in Chief. He also analyses images of Lincoln's assissination and compares prints of Lincoln and the Confederacy's Jefferson Davis. In his discussion of Lincoln's language. Holzer addresses Lincoln's impromtu oratory as well as his two most famous texts, the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address. Holzer's book is well-balanced and richly documented. Very readable, this book should interest both historical scholars and general readers.

Although General Hunter wasn't an abolitionist in the sense that Frederick Douglass or Garrison were, he may have been the highest ranking military officer to have issued orders freeing southern slaves without authority (before the Emancipation Proclamation) because he believed southerners who seceded were traitors and he needed every soldier INCLUDING BLACK SOLDIERS he could get. Hunter's bland history as a "paymaster" during the Mexican war and the Frontier Indian wars is an added bonus, as the job was much more than it seems. Miller's recounting of how Hunter decided which of the homes of "rebel sympathizers" to burn down is also highly instructive of what it must have been like to conduct a "war" in your own backyard, with family names you know. Hunter was a personal friend of both Jefferson Davis and Abe Lincoln and routinely went around normal military channels to make his points. Miller doesn't try to present Hunter as a hero, but an interesting character in the Civil War who was well in front of his fellow Republicans on the issue of freeing the slaves and enlisting them into the war. (They didn't all want to be free, nor did they all want to fight.) The prose is a little dry, but the story carries it along well. Civil War buffs should particularly like this viewpoint of the Virginia campaign. Recommended.

In this juvenile biography for younger elementary students, Clyde Robert Bulla tells story of how Abraham Lincoln grew up to become a great man whose birthday was celebrating as a way of honoring his life. Bulla describes Lincoln's boyhood, his years as a lawyer and legislator, his election to the Presidency and the tragedy of the Civil War. He also explains the beginning of the holiday observance of Lincoln's birthday and the ways American has paid tribute to the Great Emancipator over the years. Obviously, since Bulla wrote about "Lincoln's Birthday" in 1965, this was before Presidents' Day effectively combined the February birthdays of Lincoln and Washington. Ernest Crichlow provides the illustrations for this book, which is part of the Crowell Holiday Book series an in which young readers will find basic information about both Abraham Lincoln and the holiday celebrating his birthday.

"Lincoln's Birthday" is part of the "Best Holiday Books" series, which tells not only about the life of Abraham Lincoln but also how his birthday became a holiday, which was certainly interesting. Dennis Brindell Fradin sketches out Lincoln's life, including many of the most familiar stories about Honest Abe. The book does not go into detail on the Civil War, but provides a concise explanation that is appropriate for elementary school students. The last chapters not only explain how Lincoln's birthday became a holiday, but provides suggestions for how students can celebrate Lincoln's life in school from learning about Civil War songs like "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" to studying Lincoln in the context of Black History Month. Fradin even refers to a couple of well known movies about Lincoln, "Young Mr. Lincoln" and "Abe Lincoln in Illinois." "Lincoln's Birthday" is illustrated with photographs, paintings, drawings and etchings that provide a nice variety of styles, which should prove useful in inspiring young artists to come up with their own tribute's to the nation's 16th President. However, teachers should be prepared when students learn that once upon a time most states had two holidays in February honoring great Presidents and not just one.

William Barker Cushing was one of the true heroes of the naval Civil War. He consistently defied the enemy and the odds, and came back alive. He almost singlehandedly blew up a Southern ironclad (the CSS Albemarle). Coupled with a section on Cushing's brother, Alonzo, who was at the heart of the third day of Gettysburg, this book will excite, entertain, and educate all fans of the Union and the Navy.

Not too many books cover the subjects of Copperheadism during the Civil War or how such a group of people ever evolved. Klement truly defines the persons or people who were Copperheads of the north that heavily favored democratic policy and beliefs during the 1850's to 1870's period of time. It was interesting to read how postwar northerners defined Copperheads as anyone who sympathized with the south during the war when truly some Copperheads favored anti-war policies and states rights. This book is very detailed about popular northern democrats and political figures who were at odds against the Lincoln administration. This book covers a lot. For example, details about economic strongholds on midwestern farmers helped define an anti-war sentiment as prices were being controlled by northeastern interest groups such as railroad companies and republican authority. Many midwestern political opinion and feelings about the war are covered while the mid-atlantic states fight the Lincoln administration in favor of the south succeeding. Klement brings a very detailed look at how Copperheadism evolved and fought to survive as an ideal way of life for some northerners who refused the war, Lincoln and a northern stronghold over the south. I simply can't recommend a better book for covering such a heavily defined and detailed topic that Klement presents.

This reprint of the sole extant copy of a tract published in 1852, which was probably but not certainly given to Abraham by Mary Todd, is inof itself an excellent daily devotional. Unlike many contemporary devotionals, the commentary after the daily passage is brief, to the point, and timeless. Carl Sandberg's prolog provides us with some further information about Lincon's faith.

This is a great book about Lincoln's political career in the years leading up to the Civil War. Baringer's focus in this book, as suggested by the title, is how Lincoln rose from relative obscurity as a prairie lawyer (and single-term Congressman) to President of the United States. Baringer does a wonderful job showing the importance of public perception, the press, and Lincoln's speeches, especially during the Lincoln-Douglas debates. These debates helped put Lincoln on the national stage. The one shortcoming of this book, in my opinion, is that it does not show how Lincoln reached the prominence in the Illinois Republican Party in the years from 1854 to 1858 to be put in that position of challenging Stephen A. Douglas for the Senate. In 1856, Lincoln was among those mentioned as a potential vice-presidential candidate at the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, and he received the second highest number of votes. This must be taken into consideration when examining the emergence of Lincoln.