There are some who consider Mark Twain and Abraham Lincoln the two greatest writers in American history- and not in that order. Others have compared Lincoln's eloquence to none other than Shakespeare. Both are wonderful compliments, and in my mind highly accurate. Abraham Lincoln was a master of the English language.

This is a nice single volume of Lincoln's best known writings. It has all the great speeches you have heard of (Gettysburg Address, etc.)plus many the non specialist might have missed. If you are a specialist, you probably already own Roy Basler's nine volume set of Lincoln's writings. If you do not, this fine volume will suit you nicely and help you to understand why Lincoln is the revered man that he is.

This is a great book. I think the introduction is the best. It is interesting plus you really feel Lincoln was a man of the people. My favorite part was when Lincoln had one of his sons in a wagon. Lincoln was so much in his thoughts that the child fell out and was crying loudly and Lincoln kept walking dragging an empty wagon behind him.

I have a large Civil War library, and if there was a fire, this is the one Lincoln book I would try to rescue. Despite being written almost 50 years ago, the book's strong point is not its selection of Lincoln's writings (although that is quite good), but its masterful biographical sketch of Lincoln by Stern. Almost seven score since Lincoln's death, there is still no other satisfying BRIEF biography. In about 200 pages, Stern has managed to capture, in skilfull prose, all the important facts while still having room for some less-wordy, interesting comments. Each important event is succinctly captured in a couple paragraphs. I like that Stern actually calls Lincoln "neurotic" in certain personal aspects. I also like his passages on Willie Lincoln's death, emancipation, and the war's closing. There's really not enough room for any heavy politically-influenced interpretations of issues like those in modern long biographies,and that's why Stern's sketch can't be considered outdated. Some people may not like the short description of Lincoln's assassination, and I thought Stern spent too much ink on Lincoln's final attempts to compensate the South. Since the book predates the most comprehensive, closely-inspected collection of Lincoln's letters, there may be some inaccuracies in the writings reproduced here. However, the selection is an excellent one, linked together well with intros by Stern. I can't imagine this was an easy job for Stern and I'm lost why it's been virtually ignored. But all in all, I can only repeat, if you want to know the most about Lincoln in the fewest words, and have your interest held throughout, just buy this book and you're set!

Lincoln on Democracy edited and introduced by Mario M. Cuomo and Harold Holzer is an anthology written by Lincoln, in his own words with essays by America's foremost Civil War historians. These include: Gabor S. Boritt, William E. Gienapp, Charles B. Strozier, Richard Nelson Current, James M. McPherson, Mark E. Neely, Jr., and Hans L. Trefousse.

I found this volume to be very valuable in understanding, not only Lincoln's psyche, but that of the country as a whole. Lincoln has been called one of the best writers among the American presidents, even though his delivery was not as dynamic. This unique anthology includes such well-known selections as the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address, but that is only the beginning. As there are equally inspiring speeches, letter, notes and diary entries. Not to mention a revealing dream that Lincoln wrote down for posterity.

"Lincoln on Democracy" documents Lincoln as an extraordinary leader, taking him from a local politician to a national leader in time of crisis. The reaffirmation of Lincoln's commitment to the ideas of liberty and the savior of the union.

This book is dedicated to the people of Poland as this volume was assembled at the request of the Solidarity teachers in a newly democratized Poland. There are seven chapters in this book dividing it into easily followed and logical order.

They are: "The People's Business" Lincoln and the American Dream 1832-1852

"All We Have Ever Held Sacred" Lincoln and Slavery
1854-1857

"Another Explosion Will Come" Lincoln and the House Divided 1858

"Right Makes Might" Lincoln and the Race for President 1859-1860

"Hour of Trial" Lincoln and the Union 1861

"Forever Free" Lincoln and Liberty 1862-1863

"For Us the Living" Lincoln and Democracy 1863- 1865

This is a fully annotated collection also containing an extensive chronology linking Lincoln's life and accomplishments with the world and national events with photograghs from various periods in his career. The essays are written extremely well and set the tone of each chapter making this volume compelling as we reexamine our republic with Lincoln as our guide for the time period of this book.

This is a great book for getting an overview of President Lincolns life in a chronological way. We learn how his thinking process develops as he encounters the diverse situations of his life and times. Through actual letters, speeches and business dealings we see the man. We find it is a man in the making. President Lincoln did not arrive full and complete in terms of philosophy. He developed his thesis of the rights of man as he lived the conflicts of his fellow citizens especially as it related to the slavery of the black man. A great book you must have in your personal library. A true resource for any student of civil rights and demorcacy in the western world. Makes a great gift for any student of history.
Respectfully submitted by;
Mark V. Aarssen
Canada

Mr. Cuomo has put together a rewarding synopsis of several of A. Lincoln's Speeches and Writings. He added his own editorial content to make us better understand Mr. Lincoln's thoughts. This volume is easy to read and the themes are current for the times. Highly Recommended.

After getting stationed in Georgia back in 1997, I became interested in the cause of the Southern Unionists. As a CivWar reenactor I found this subject to be on one hand totally verbotten for polite fireside conversation. On the other, some interest but little information. Thank God over the last few years several books have come out to help fill that info gap. The South vs The South(poorest of the group), Lincoln's Loyalists, and Guerillas, Unionists,& Violence On the Confederate Homefront(very good!) have done alot for these forgotten souls. The best remains Lincoln's Loyalists, my orginal was permantly borrowed by a "rebel" buddy and passed about throughout the greyback community. Finally I've found another copy! Even for hardcore seesch, this book is a must read for anyone studying this sad chapter of our nations history.

Most readers will probably be astonished to learn how extensive support for the Union was among white southerners during the Civil War. The author provides a detailed, state-by-state description of organized military units from the southern states that fought for the Union. A final chapter summarizes the statistics -- something that I found particularly helpful. I hope that many southerners will read this book and be inspired to seek out their own Loyal ancestors. This chapter of southern history desperately needs to be better known.

White Southerners who fought for the Union are the neglected heroes of the Civil War. Their Northern comrades could return home to a heroes' welcome. Their Confederate foes went home to lick their wounds and glorify their "Lost Cause." Soldiers of the "Colored" regiments are getting their due. But most people have bought the lie that the South and the Confederacy were synonymous.

The South has countless Confederate memorials. Where are the memorials for the brave men who fought for their country instead of being seduced by the lies of the Slave Power?

After reading this book,I becamemore aware of how the 'CivilWar"families,were separated bypolitics that were never resolved.And the recipes found in this bookare treasures,that can still be used today.It is fascinating reading,a book you definitely won'tbe able to put down,until you'veread the last page.It's so absorbing,so historical,and thephotos bring the "Lincolns' alivefrom the past to present time.The author has displayed warmth,of a family's love,and couragebeyond imaigination. Donna McCrearyis truly giving the reader far morethen the culinary arts,she isshowing how a family under thedirest circumstances,emergesfrom the War' with grace,and dignity."Lincoln's Table' is alsothe greatest love story,I have everread,a test of vicissitudes thatbrings hope for others to endurein their marriages.This book is a cookbook,a'How-to-"keep a family together',and most of all,a masterpiece of all times!!

The book is bursting with an array of a myriad of 'President Abrahamand Mary Todd Lincoln's' lifefrom their childhood to the time they got married,recipes thatgives the reader a delightfulinsight to what prompted the"Lincoln's tastes.It tells us whatfoods were 'Lincoln's favories',as a young boy,to adulthood.Ancedotes that tell us about thecooking ingredients that were popular in the different timeframes of their lives.It is abook of great intensity of notonly the foods that the 'Lincolns'enjoyed when they were married, also, a marriage of superbspices,blended with each recipeof historical facts(i.e.....what foods were popular duringthe 'antebellum' period,and the'Civil War.' Abrahan's favoritecomfort foods that he had whenthe 'Civil War' was raging,andMary's love of the culinary arts.It's book full of lovely remmbrances of the "Lincoln'senduring love for each other,and you feel like you're havingdinner right there with them.The author did an excellent merging of food with Americanhistory.A book you'll want to own,and pass it on to your grandchildren. Kudos to theauthor, 'Donna D.McCreary'for a book that should be ineverybody's library to betreasured.A "best-seller' that should beon the lists of 'books' to be read for decades.

The author has done a wonderful job of collecting an array of recipes of food that Lincoln enjoyed from his boyhood through his presidency. The recipes are easy, fun, and are good old fashioned home cooking!A very charming part of the book is how the author has added little anecdotes, background info and tips about certain ingredients. Quite a bit of history thrown in too as we see the menu for Lincoln's sister Sarah's wedding, and menus from an inaugural luncheon and a White House ball. The book also serves as a mini biography of Lincoln as we see him go from a boy in Kentucky to a laywer, husband and father in Springfield IL, to being President of the United States and alot thrown in between! We see the private side of Lincoln and the love he had for his family, and the meals they enjoyed. This book is a must for any Lincoln buff, and even if you're not, it is a great addition to any cookbook collection. For a good old fashioned taste in the midst of this fast paced processed world-give this book a try!

I could hardly credit that there existed a detailed portrait of the Lincoln family by an African-American domestic during the family's Springfield years. Yet here it is and, as Lloyd Ostendorf's prefatory material demonstrates, it is undeniably authentic, though unendorsed by much of the academic community.
This is a fascinating book.Its vivid portrayal of the daily life of the Lincoln household is by turns perplexing, funny, moving, and sad. Mariah Vance was first employed by the Lincolns as a laundress in 1850 after Mary Todd had run off every other working woman in Springfield. Henry Vance actually extracted extra wages--the equivalent of combat pay--from Abraham Lincoln for his wife's work. Over the next decade, Mrs. Vance became increasingly involved in the household and enjoyed a substantial measure of intimacy with the Lincolns.
The Lincoln who emerges from these pages is startlingly vivid. He is by turns deep, playful, philosophical, earthy, boyish, magisterial, romantic, distant, intimate--and always present. He partakes in absolutely no measure of the modern trait of numbness or non-feeling. His sadness, laughter, thoughtfulness are all immediate and resilient.
He is different in important ways from the man portrayed by much academic scholarship. He is not only more religious, he is much more Biblically grounded than has been supposed. In fact, Mrs. Vance insists that Lincoln was baptised by full immersion into the Church of the Brethren in 1860, just after his election to the Presidency. Conventional academics are skeptical of the story, but it makes sense, when juxtaposed against the language of the Second Inaugural.
Lincoln was also clearly not a racist. The book describes incidents in his early life when he came into close contact with African Americans, worked with them, socialized with them and in one case vigorously defended them to his own detriment.
He is punctilious about calling Mariah "Mrs. Vance" and her husband, Henry, "Mr. Vance," until he knows them well enough to call them by their first names without compromising respect. He has no compunction about socializing with them visibly and unselfconsciously. And he is vocal and definitive about providing cash remuneration for labor at a time when the bestowing of hand-me-downs on domestics was considered an act generosity. He is, in short, entirely unpatronizing. On the other hand, as a husband, Abraham Lincoln had what we now call "problems with intimacy." Whether justifiably or not, he was constantly away from home, riding the circuit or politicking. Thus, he laid the burden of coping with his wife's problems on the shoulders of his young son Robert. That the latter grew up to become a distinguished citizen in his own right is a tribute to his character.
For Mary Todd Lincoln was much more than any husband and child could handle. Some have called Mariah's portrait of her sympathetic. Good God! What would be unsympathetic? In these pages, Mrs. Lincoln is portrayed as a grandiose, manic-depressive, narcissistic, drug-addict. It's true that Mariah Vance felt tremendous compassion for Mary Todd Lincoln--in fact for all the Lincolns--but it's hard for the reader to sympathize with Mrs. Lincoln, particularly when it's revealed that she administered paregoric, the mixture of alcohol and opium to which she was addicted, to her babies.
The spirit of Ann Rutledge hovers over the domestic life of the Lincolns like a cloud. A quarter century after the young woman's death, Lincoln was still preoccupied with her. At one point, he finds in a shop and purchases a tintype portrait of a girl who he says is Ann's twin. In a colossal error in judgment, he shows this portrait to his wife and begins talking about his feelings for Ann, eliciting from his wife an entirely predictable, and not unjustified, eruption of violence, invective, and self-pity.
And yet the book is often very funny. Mariah Vance was an acute observer, who loved the Lincoln family deeply but without illusions. Her quick wit and refusal to be intimidated by her "betters" clearly delighted Lincoln himself, who described himself with neither self-pity nor resentment as "white trash." Her love and support for Robert Lincoln were clearly essential to the boy's psychological survival.
This is in every sense a domestic drama. The imminent earthquake of civil war is evident just offstage, but never dominates the action. The story also has something of the arc of a novel, as Abraham and Mary Lincoln learn to resolve the wounds of the past and reforge their marriage.
My only objection has to do with the Lincolns' language. This book was transcribed in short hand by a young woman named Ada Sutton in the first decade of the twentieth century. Decades later, the mature Ms. Sutton wrote out the memoirs, retaining Mariah Vance's Black English, which she had taken down phonetically.
The conversation of the Lincolns, however, she translated into a formal English of her own devising that completely lacks the vigor and suppleness of colloquial speech. This rings false because the Lincolns did not speak in such a stilted manner. At one point, Mrs. Vance notes that the Harvard-educated Robert Lincoln spoke correct English and tried to get his parents to emulate him, but to no avail. "They talked like old Kaintuck folks, what they was," Mariah observes.
This is an absolutely irreplaceable book, so full of pleasures and riches that when I finished it I turned around and started reading it all over again.

When I came across this book I thought: surely its a hoax! But no, the recollections of Mariah Vance are well attested. I suppose one should have to urge caution because: (1)The memories are filtered through the person to whom Mariah gave her recollections. (2) They are reminiscences from many years after Lincoln had been well and truly canonised not only as the saviour of the Union, but among blacks he was doubly revered as the Liberator of the slaves. Hence most of the marriage troubles are blamed on Mrs Lincoln who comes across as somewhat of a termagant, saved only by occasional tendernesses to husband and to Mariah herself. To me the reproduction of Mariah's speech as 1900-style black idiom grated a little - when will authors realise that this type of writing can pall quickly, when grammatical english almost always sounds fresh and immediate? Despite all those slight negatives, this book was immensely refreshing - it clears up a lot of mysteries about the Lincoln's relationship, about Lincoln's love for Ann Ruttledge who died tragically, and about Lincoln's life-long search for religious truth. It re-habilitates Robert Lincoln as a worthy son of a great father, and answers some of the criticism he took from historians about the later treatment of his mother. Lincoln has often been accused of 'racism', and was once forced into an election statement against racial equality, which may have been sincere, but he had no qualms about his eldest son being best friend of the son of his black housekeeper, and having regular visits between the two households. Even with the warnings given at the start of this review, its a 'must read' for Lincoln scholars and collectors, and an interesting further study for those who have read the Sandburg and David H. Donald biographies.

I found this a very colorful and informative work and I agree that this is probably the most improtant work published on Lincoln in the last twenty years. You can see what Lincoln delt with in his relationship with his wife; her habits and emotional problems and what working for the Lincoln's was really like. You also get a rare picture of young Robert Lincoln who has been very misunderstood and maligned by history. I've read this book twice so far and picked up something new each time. It's well worth the price and is a valuable addition to any Lincoln collection.

Many people believe that Abraham Lincoln was just a hick lawyer. This book cites more than 60 cases and shows that Lincoln was a top notch shrewd, sophisticated lawyer. In addition, Lincoln took on all types of cases and earned a good iving. He represemterd a slave owner even though he opposed the idea of slavery. He defended people accussed of murder and he prosecuted murderers. He represented corporations and he handled many individual bad debt cases. It was particularly interesting to read about Lincoln's daily mixture of law, politics and activities in the society of his time. For the first time, this book uses newly discovered legal documents about Lincoln's practice and the author describes cases that were previously unknown. There is a large mass of references and a substantial bibliography - about 40 pages of material. If lincoln had not been elected president, there is no doubt that he would have become one of the leading lawyers in the nation. Obviously, lawyers will enjoy this book along with historians and the general public. I heartedly recommend this book.

A. Lincoln Esquire: A Shrewd, Sophisticated Lawyer In His Time by Allen D. Spiegel (Professor of Medicine and Community Health, State University of New York Health science Center, Brooklyn, New York) is a unique study of an often overlooked aspect of the President who saw America through the Civil War. Studying Abraham Lincoln as a lawyer, A. Lincoln Esquire focuses upon his tireless work as a dedicated litigator facing down a tremendous caseload. Exhaustively researched for ten years, filled with legal papers as primary sources and presenting more than sixty of Lincoln's cases, A. Lincoln Esquire is a truly astounding portrait of a great legal mind - whose far-reaching career in the court of law was curtailed only by the higher calling of the nation at large. A. Lincoln Esquire is a seminal, ground breaking Lincoln biography, and a highly recommended addition to academic and community library collections.

I liked the mixture of Abraham Lincoln's law cases with his politics and activities within the society of his time. He handled all types of cases and was not a hick lawyer. I was surprised to learn that he defended slave owners despite his opposition to slavery itself. Furthermore, I learned that Lincoln handled medical malpractice and sexually-related slander cases. I highly recommend this book to historians, medical professionals and the general public. Read it and enjoy it!

This Book is written by a soldier who fought in the Civil War, had a college education, and was a minister.

One will find out more than he may or may not wish to know, concerning Lincoln.

Charles Minor removes the "myth of Lincoln" a layer at a time.
If you're a Southerner, Lincoln biographer, or the average American just wanting to see who the REAL LINCOLN really was, this is an excellent book. ( If you're a defender of Southern Heritage, you NEED this book)

There are several publishing dates on this book. ( 1904,1927,1928, and more current)

NOTE---PRIMARY SOURCES

This book was written over a century ago. If you check the quotation such as ones from Shermans Memoirs, they are accurate, but he uses the OLD TWO VOLUME set, so the page numbers will not be the same as the new single volume.

Quotes from the O.R. ( Official Records)
Again, this was written over a century ago.
The FIRST set of the O.R. that came out, is NOT the ones we have today. The FIRST set of the O.R. were so confusing, few people had the time to research them. They also were very unorganized.
Charles Minor quotes from the first set. ( as a matter of fact, Minor says, "the O.R. is now over 100 volumes") What he quotes IS in the O.R. you may have to cross-reference it with the current O.R. though.

When reading Civil War books, I always check the authors primary sources, if I am in doubt.
Charles Minor used solid references. This is a nice addition to our Lincoln/Civil War/Presidents/ or American History Library

Those who believe all the trash taught in pulic schools about Lincoln being a great man MUST read this book. It gets rid of all the glory behind his hideous legacy. Everyone needs to know their history and this book must be read to understand Lincoln and how he was responsible for killing 25% of the south in a completely unnecessary and brutal war.

However, this book is NOT a biography. It presents ONE side to a very complex man. I hate Lincoln, but I have no problem quoting him sometimes. He is very insightful as far as human nature is concerned and was personally a man of integrity. BUT THAT ISN'T MINOR'S POINT. He knows it isn't a biography. That isn't his agenda. His agenda is to expose all the lies we have always been told.

This book is undeniably true becuase he ONLY uses 1st hand sources ANT THEY ARE ALL YANKEE SOURCES. Because of this, we can rest assured that the information is not biased and it accurate.

If you buy this book to learn about Lincoln, buy another Lincoln book as well. this book only presents his bad side (and it is really bad), but doesn't present the whole man.

Highly recommended reading.

This is a very insightful book. I enjoyed it greatly. It gives a very different and truthful look at a very famous Lincoln. I would recommend this book to any history buff.

This is the book that started my lifelong fascination with the Lincoln assassination story, at age 7! I couldn't read much then, but the many, many photographs are so evocative that they managed to convey the tragic, haunting story all on their own. This book was originally published in 1865 (the centennial of the assassination) and is probably the prototype for serious overviews of this topic. The authors were renowned Lincoln scholars and archivists, and their love and expertise for the subject is reflected not only in the moving collection of images but also in the intelligent, well written text. If you're at all interested in this topic, this is the best book out there!

If you are looking for a wonderful way to do a project or are just interested in Lincoln and America's reaction to his assassination, this is the book to look at. It was wonderful to read, and the pictures earned me an A on my presentation!

This book has hundreds of photographs related to Abraham Lincoln's assassination and funeral train. Its written description of events from April 14, 1865, to May 4, 1865, is outstanding. This book is by far the best of its kind.

A very special, even inspirational, introduction to and explanation of Einstein's Special and General Theories of relativity. One really does begin to grasp the principles ennunciated by Albert Einstein. After reading many books on the subject I found this one, written some 50 years ago, brought it all together for me.

Even better, though, Lincoln Barnett forces the reader to think about his perception of his world and how one might expand one's own vision and understanding not only of the physical world and universe but also of one's self and of mankind. Reading this book was, for me, a liberating experience.

I will reread this book many times.

Over the past thirty years, I have read this book five times, cover to cover, in little segments seeking to pursue the insights which it offers as a initiation into an understanding of the cosmos, creation, and the general principles of relativity. It explains some of the phenomina of the physical universe as uniquely perceived by Dr. Einstein, without attempting to answer the questions of "whether", "how" or "why" a superior force (God) started it all. Yet, a believing reader, transcending logic and science, may likely wonder what invisible forces are in the void of space, and how did Dr. Einstein figure so much out ? One of my most favorite books.

Mr. Lincoln Barnett's book about the theories of Dr. Einstein that have shaped our view of the universe is fascinating, enlightening and eminently readable. It captures the wonderment of our universe without resorting to overly simplified explanations and, at the same time, provides enough science to tantalize the interested layperson. The book rates five stars for the simple reason that it accomplishes so well what it sets out to do- make accessible to the reader the profound and incredible theories of one of the greatest minds in human history. Read it and you will be in awe of the design of our universe and the man who was able to perceive it so accurately.

Very comprehensive book- the only one out there like it. It is interesting to read what the people in the theatre that terrible night actually saw and heard. I learned some things I didn't know by reading this book, and would definately reccommend it to anyone interested in the Lincoln Assasanation.

I had to read a book on American History for my college course. I am interested in President Lincoln's assassination and this book caught my eye! Very interesting and hard to put down! Highly reccommended to anyone, old or young.

This is a wonderful, very informative book. It's the only written collection of eye witness accounts ever published on the Lincoln assasination. Every Lincoln buff needs to add this one to his or her library.