This is a children's book about the life of Abraham Lincoln. First written and illustrated in 1939, it was expanded in 1957. Most of the book focuses on Lincoln's early life. The illustrations resulted in the book being awarded the 1940 Caldecott Medal for best illustrations in a children's book. It is a book that helps children learn more about U.S. history and a great president. It is also a book that should be on the shelf of any serious student of children literature.

This book is in a word, charming. This book is a true story of the life of Abraham Lincoln, from his birth to his presidency. This book is educational and informative, without being dry and boring as many history books tend to be. Children as young as 4 will be interested, as well as kids through the teen years. Simply worded, but not babyish, brilliantly illustrated, but not unreal. Youngsters will learn and retain much about the life of one of our most admired, courageous and beloved presidents. D'Aulaire at his usual shining best! A Caldecott medal/honor book.

This famous book on Abraham Lincoln (emphasizing his growing up) by the great children's book authors, the d'Aulaires, is as fresh as ever. A sparkling cover. Fascinating and charming illustrations, based on their own visit to the locations. Clear, absorbing text. Deserves it's fame. A wonderful introduction. Great fun.

I very much recommend this book. The author has a wry, quirky point of view about China and he conveys many vivid experiences and perceptions, leaving the reader with a disturbing sense of how hard it is to penetrate the Chinese psyche.

I have no idea who Lincoln Kaye is, but he sure can write. The title doesn't do the book justice, but, then again, I couldn't think what would be a better one. This book is an interesting vehicle through which one gets a view of China, but more importantly a view of people and cultures in transition. I stongly recommned the book and am pretty sure this isn't the last we hear of Mr. Kaye.

The book sinks the reader deep into the lives of modern Chinese people struggling with the rebirth of a nation. Lincoln Kaye recounts a series of encounters collected over four journeys through post-Tiananmen China. It is a frank, detailed, and fun look at modern Chinese life, in all its complexities and contradictions.

The topics he chooses are ones that modern China is struggling with: a look at China's relationship with its ancient roots in a voyage to the tomb of the Yellow Emperor; modern democracy as it plays out in a village's political struggle; dealing with the aged and China's changing relationship to its old in a hospice in Beijing; and the question of minorities and religions in a journey to a Tibetan lamasery. Kaye's strength here is that rather than taking the approach of political analysis, he brings the eye of a journalist and the prose of a fine storyteller to bear on each situation. This approach bears fruit by bringing the reader into greater appreciation of the lives of the Chinese people and what these questions really mean to them, as opposed to searching for right or wrong.

Just as Keith Jarrett never met a note on the piano he didn't like, Kaye's style seems to bring warmth and light to every character and situation he encounters. There is no one China, but with Kaye's acute and engaging observations, a tapestry is woven which captures the flavor of China. Kaye takes you there, points out a wealth of details, and leaves you to draw your own conclusions or simply to enjoy the astonishing ride.

I am well-read on Russia, having lived there temporarily, and this book is tops. The author shows amazing insight and does not hesistate to let the reader in on her racy experiences. A steamy read for the bedroom, but not for research projects!

If you are at all interested in the commerce of Russia specifically during the mid to late 1800's I would highly recommend this book. It is impeccably researched, well-written and is absolutely readable. It is a must read for truly understanding 19th century Russia.

If you are interested in reading about commerce in Russia, this is the book for you. Very factual and thorough, The Great Russian Fair is truly a great source of information. I loved it!!

I teach 5th grade in Washington, DC. My students and I study American History from European exploration to the writing of the Constitution. This year I found a copy of Corn Raid and read it aloud to my class. They loved it! Not only did the story validate facts they'd gathered doing research on Jamestown, but the plot kept them very engaged. They're still talking about it months later. In fact, just yesterday they asked if we could write to Mr. Collier and ask if he'd consider a sequel about the protagonist. This is a great book if you're trying to teach about life in the early 17th Century. It contains believable characters with a connection to history. I found that even the students who approach social studies with reticence enjoyed this book. I encourage teachers to use it in class, or give it as gifts to family and friends!

This is a wonderful hist. fic. bk that will serve many purposes in a classroom. Collier hasn't disappointed us yet, has he? There are solid underlying themes of friendship, trust, ambivalence in the face of duty and 'right,' and so on. There are 2 boys and a girl in main roles, so both genders are happy reading it. Accurate, of course, historically. No down-talking, no pie-in-the-sky, no frippery. Several of my 5th graders (both genders, widely varied in ability) read it and ALL of them loved it. Engrossing, somber, realistic story, very believable characters. We will be using it as a class book.

The story took place during the time of the Jamestown Settlement, around 1607. The main character was a boy named Richard. He was a servant along with Susan to a guy named Laydon. One day when Richard was working in the tobacco field, he saw something moving in the woods. He went to see what is was and he found an Indian boy stealing his hoe. Richard chased him as he called for Laydon. When he caught up with him, the two boys started threatening each other. As they were about to attack, Laydon came and stopped them. The Indian boy, named Weetoppin, was looking for food and Laydon and Richard took him home and fed him. Laydon decided to keep him as a servant. The next day Weetoppin's father showed up and signed him as an indentured servant to Laydon. Richard wondered why Weetoppin's dad signed the paper. He later found out that Weetoppin had killed an Indian boy and was to be put to death. He ran away, and could not go back home. Richard also began to wonder if there was an indenture paper on him. Laydon wanted to see if the Weyanocks had corn, and where it is. So he had Richard dress up as an Indian; and Richard and Weetoppin went to look for the corn. They found the corn in a hut. Then the Weyanocks started chasing them. Weetoppin and Richard started swimming across the James River. It was thundering and lightening, and Richard wanted to reach the other side before he got struck by lightening; but Weetoppin saw something and told Richard to hold up. Richard refused and was caught by the Paspahegh Indians; but Weetoppin couldn't be found. The Chief, a former Englishman, and his braves threatened to torture Richard if he didn't tell them where the Weyanocks kept their corn. Richard led them to the corn hut. After the indians took their share of the corn, the braves wanted to kill Richard, but the English chief talked them out of it. Instead, they tied him to a tree and left him for the Weyanocks to find. Weetoppin came and freed him and they started back up the James River towards home. When Laydon and Weetoppin were delivering tobacco in Jamestown where the ships docked, Spoffard's black servant came to Richard and asked for Laydon. Richard said he wasn't home. The servants orders were to give a letter to Laydon, but he gave it to Richard because he could not wait any longer for Laydon to come home. Susan read it to Richard because he couldn't read or write, and it said,

"I scheduled a raid on the Weyanocks for Thursday." Richard then told Weetoppin about the letter and the raid. In the middle of the night, Weetoppin snuck out and told his father about the raid on the corn. Richard then told Weetoppin that he had to tell Laydon so the English wouldn't be ambushed by the Weyanocks. Weetoppin said they couldn't be friends anymore and he walked away.

Laydon said he was going to Spoffards and prepare for the raid, that's when Richard told him that the Weyanocks knew about it and they were prepared to attack the Englishmen. Laydon decided to postpone the raid. Richard then said, "You do have a paper of indenture on me don't you?" Laydon said "Yes, but Spoffard was holding it for me." Laydon started for Spoffard's house.

The story ended with Richard and Susan talking about the paper

Her brother is shell-shocked from his tour of duty in Vietnam. She doesn't get along with her banker father. Her sister, a math genius, struggles to make sense of it all. She has been expelled from school. Her mother is dead. She is lying in a hospital, recovering from the cancer that stole her runner's legs. And in an O. Henry moment, her estranged best friend sends her a pair of running shoes.
As Meghan recovers from her amputation, she finds connections to Abraham Lincoln through cornfields, feet, war, writing, and tragedy. Interesting and little-known facts about Lincoln surface naturally in the narrative. Desperate for a father figure, bitter over her tragedies, and unable to express herself to her therapist, Meghan writes postcards to the past president to release her fury and confusion. She feels a strong bond between Lincoln's suffering and her own, and wonders if she too can rise above it all.
The chapters that reveal Meghan's late 60's past and 1972 present are short but never spartan. Illinois cornfields are painted with vibrant and succinct detail; the joy of running is portrayed beautifully, making this an excellent choice for female athletes. Chapters read like diary entries, and move fluidly from past to present in even strides. Not all loose ends are tied up, but by the end it is clear the Meghan is on the road to emotional and physical recovery, taking small steps each day.
A bibliography would have been a welcome addition to this book. Readers who want to know more about Lincoln after this novel should be directed to Abraham Lincoln: A Writer's Life: by Harold Holzer for insights into Lincoln as a writer, and Russell Freedman's Lincoln: A Photobiography for more details about the tragic figure of Lincoln.

This is the best book i have read in a long time. 16- year- old Meghan is angry with the world. She is angry at her father(whom she calls THE BANKER) because he sent her brother Killian, off to fight in the Korean War, agnst Killian's will. The Korean War has ruined Killian's way of thinking. She is angry at Dr. Take-more, and Dr. Take-less, for taking away her leg. She is mangry at the nuns in her old school for expelling her. She is angry at her day nurse for having somebody ele's baby. She is anry at Sam for trying to help her learn to run again. Throughout her hard times, she turnes to her hero, Abraham Lincon who has been dead for a while. Throughout the book she writes postcards to her her hero on anything she can find.
This compelling novel should be on the bookshelf of all teens.

Ages 12 and older will find this an involving story telling of an ex-runner's struggle with the removal of her leg due to cancer. Her anger and struggle to overcome her disability take the form of letters written to a past idol, Abe Lincoln, which help her come to grips with her life.

I was surprised by how much information was packed into this slim volume. The pictures are well chosen to complement the text. And the essays from other scholars help add light to this turning point in US history.

April 14, 1865, Washington. During a performance of the play OUR AMERICAN COUSIN in Ford's theatre young actor John Wilkes BOOTH shoots Abraham LINCOLN, sixteenth president of the United States, with a .44 derringer in a desparate attempt to turn the tides of civil war. (The cause of the South was already lost, General LEE had already surrendered at Appomatox Court House.)
At the same time BOOTH's co-conspirator Lewis POWELL tries to stab secretary of state William H. SEWARD, leaving the politician as well as his daughter, two sons and a male nurse severly injured. Another conspirator, George ATZERODT, decided to abandon his mission to kill vice president Andrew JOHNSON and got drunk instead.

THE DAY LINCOLN WAS SHOT details the story of this infamous assassination, from the background of the characters, the scheming, the assassination and its aftermath to the fate of the conspirators inside a burning barn (BOOTH) and on the gallows (his accomplices), respectively.
Author Richard BAK brings the persons involved in this tragedy vividly to life. I found this aspect of the book especially compelling. We learn about the war weary president, who also suffered from personal plight (an emotionally unstable wife and the death of his son Willie in 1862). We get to know assassin John Wilkes BOOTH, a famous actor and womanizer, bold, darring and sympathizing with the Confederacy's cause. The book points out how BOOTH's deed affected the American society and the life of all persons involved in this drama. Did you know that Major RATHBONE, an officer, who had accompanied LINCOLN at Ford's theatre, never forgave himself for having been incapable of stopping BOOTH and subsequently became insane due to his self-reproaches, resulting in the murder of his wife and a lifelong imprisonment in a mental institution? The book is full of such gripping details.
Also of note is the way the book sets right some popular myths abouth the assassination. For instance, it is a wellknown belief that after having shot LINCOLN, BOOTH jumped from the presidential box to the stage below and disclaimed "Sic semper tyrannis!" (So perish all tyrannts!) According to eye witness accounts there was no agreement of what BOOTH did or did not say. Also BOOTH's broken leg seems to do not result from the leap on the stage. (He simply made it up in his diary to make his deed more "heroic".) According to author BAK there is good reason to believe that BOOTH broke his leg on his escape, when unheroically falling down from his horse.

THE DAY LINCOLN WAS SHOT is very well written and not at all scholarly. It's written in a way that appeals to history buffs. The text is accompanied by dozens of contemporary photographs and pictures, which add much detail and information.
Also included are various essays of contributing authors, the topics ranging from a portrait of Lewis POWELL, "mystery man" of the conspiracy, to the depiction of the assassination in movies.

This history book is as exciting as a thriller novel, a real pageturner. Believe me, even in case you are not overly interested in civil war history, you'll enjoy it, because it is so thrilling.
HIGHLY recommended.

I bought this book at Ford's theatre gift shop after asking the giftshop supervisor which book has the best narrative and accurate summary of the events leading up to John Wilkes Booth assasination of President Abraham Lincoln, she recommended this book. I must say that she made an excellent choice. This is an excellent book that not only gives the details of the assasination of Lincoln on the night of April 14, 1865, but also gives the background of the mentally imbalanced actor John Wilkes Booth and his cohorts of assasins. This is the companion to the TNT original movie "The Day Lincoln Was Shot" which in itself is an excellent movie. But by itself this book stands on itself as giving the all around perspective both North and South to the views of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln and the ultimate defeat of the Confederacy. In this book the eyewitness accounts of the assasination are told by the people who were in the theatre box with the President and First Lady as well as by the people who were in the audience. The events after the shot was fired are given in first hand accounts, and narratives and perspectives years after Lincoln's death. There is a chapter that even gives focus on the rumor's of Booth's escape and living to an old age, but I agree with the book's analysis that this was just rumor. Booth did die by a soldier's bullet a couple of weeks after Lincoln's death. Overall, this is a great read that anyone could enjoy from early High School to a U.S. History Major college student, or any US History enthusiast who wants to know more about the death of President Lincoln.

The Gettysburg Address is one of the two most famous speeches in American history, the other being Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream Speech." But Lincoln's speech is the most important oration in our nation's history because before these 271 words were uttered at Gettysburg the United States did not really pay attention to the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence and the idea that "all men are created equal." At the dedication of the National Cemetary at Gettysburg Lincoln declared that those who died did so in defense of that proposition. From that point on, all of the advances in civil rights in this country can be tied to the Gettysburg Address. When the nation was founded "men" meant free, adult, white, male, property owners. Consider today what is meant by "men" when we talk about equality in this country and you have an idea of what Lincoln set in motion. Without Lincoln's speech and the Union winning the Civil War, King would never have given his speech.

The only real shortcoming of "Just a Few Words, Mr. Lincoln: The Story of the Gettysbug Address" by Jean Fritz is that it fails to address the significance of the oration beyond the idea that it was a speech to remember. Fritz focuses on the story, both in general terms of the Civil War and the importance of the Battle of Gettysburg, and the specifics of the occasion for the speech, including the sickness of Lincoln's son Tad and the lengthy oration by Edward Everett. The complete text of the speech is provided at the back of the book, which is a Level 3 All Aboard Reading book aimed at grades 2-3. The illustrations are mostly watercolors by Charles Robinson although there are also some historic photographs of Lincoln and his son. The important thing is that here is a book that tells the story of a great American speech and at least introduces to young students the idea that words can make a difference in the history of a nation.

This is a fun book that should help your youngster develop an interest in American History. It is easy to read an has great illustratiions. You will not be disappointed with this purchase. Look for others by the same author.

This was a very good book. I think that it teaches you important history you needd to know.

This fabulous book is about a kitchen slave named Carrie, who worked in Sam Fraunce's Tavern for as long as she can remember. After Carrie gets kidnapped and almost sold off to the West Indies, she realizes that she doesn't even know her own last name, or who her true family was.When Carrie's long time friend Dan Arabus comes to town, they talk about how Dan has alomost $300 in "notes" because Dan's father Jack Arabus fought in the Revolutionary War. So basically a "note" is an I OWE YOU from the Government.Jack Arabus died fighting in the Revolution so Dan got all of his fathers notes.
After talking to Dan, Carrie decides that she really has got to find out who she is, and if she is a slave or not.Once I finished reading this beutiful Historical Fiction Novel I then realized the hardships of slavery. I would recommend this book to all ages and bothe males, and females because this book was easy to understand, yet it was somewhat hard to read with the old 1800's accents and dialects of the Northern Colonies. Also elders would would probably remeber a little about slavery because this went on until the 1950's, ofcourse it was not as bad as it was in the 1800's but still slavery was indeed around then, so they could have a great time reading this book about how slavery was in the 1800's compared to the 1950's. I had to rate this book a four and one half stars because it was just a mystery until the very end and this just made me want to read it more and more so I could find out who carrie was and if she was a slave or not. Now you know how good of a book this was, and you should read it, and trust me, you will be more than happy that you read this amazing part of American History.

I think this book was great .The author did a wonderful job of adding history to his story. my favorite character was carrie because she was brave and snecky. she was so cool.

James, and Christopher Collier describe this period in history perfectly. This is not like other boring books that the last twenty-three pages of the book you finally start to get into it. This book captures you from the first sentence and doesn't let you go tell the last word. Then you still want to know what happens to her. Although this book is historical-fiction. Alot of it is true.

Historian after historian continue to baffle me. These Phd's seem to base their historical assumptions upon a country that did not exist in the 19th century: America [Read: Alexis De Tocqueville 'Deomcracy in America."] The young republic had not yet, prior to the War Between the States (Civil War) forge an identity for itself. Noll fails to grasp the widening gulf that seperated North and South theologically and political (The Hamiltonian view of the Constitution which favored government banking, involvement in infrastructure and Jeffersonian states rights agrarian tradition.] Southern theologian James Henry Thornwell [Whom Cornelius Van Til said was the greatest American thinker ever produced on this continent besides Jonathan Edwards] got it right: the War Between the States was a theological war in many ways. Noll, who believes an "America" existed prior to the War Between the States fails to grasp that puritans in the North long ago abandoned anything good about their religion, except the need to control the rest of the country politically. Noll, however, gets Lincoln right in so far as declaring him a rather "odd Christian." This probably explains Lincoln's uncharitable attitude at invading fellow states who exercised the right of secession [sorry, I do believe in this doctrine: our founders did!.] Noll is right, evangelicals have no hero in Lincoln. I've always been perplexed as why many evangelicals hold him in high esteem? But, Noll, like any other Northern historian, fails to analyze the Southern intellectuals of the 19th century and completely glosses over President Jefferson Davis' Christian commitment as an Evangelical Episcopalian. "It is true that we are completely under the saddle of Massachusetts and Connecticut, and that they ride us very hard, cruelly insulting our feelings, as well as exhausting our strength and substance." Thomas Jefferson- a Virginian first. (May I suggest Anne Norton "Alternative Americas: A Reading of Antebellum Political Culture" University of Chicago Press, 1986.

Noll is truly a treasured Christian historian of our times, documenting with his many writings the tracing out of theological influences to our country's development.

Since there is much being said presently currently concering "the Americanization of Christianity," this massive historical work will add much to that discussion.

Noll's careful trip down memory's lane of the time between the Revolution and the Civil War (Edwards to Lincoln) is thorough, and concentrates on primary sources. This is supplemented of course with secondary sources including the author's opinions sprinkled about.

What he concludes fits the proponderance of historical stream which he has presented, namely that in bringing Christianity to this country, America molded "American Christianity" in the doing.

This is well worth the careful read, then re-read. And has Noll proclaims: read Edwards!

What we have here is a remarkably comprehensive examination of the role formal religion played in the United States from the Colonial period through the Civil War. For various reasons, those who formulated the Constitution insisted on a separation of church and state as well as certain checks and balances within the federal government. What I found most interesting in Noll's book is his analysis of the transition from European Puritanism (after almost 200 years) to what could be called American Evangelism (emerging in the late-1790s) which not only allowed but indeed celebrated freedom of religion. Noll's primary subject is the evolution of American theology. He necessarily examines the historical context within which that process occurred. My only quarrel with him, probably more an honest difference of opinion than a complaint, is that he suggests -- or at least assumes -- a homogeneity in America's religious life which seems to be contradicted by what the separation of church and state made possible: religious heterogeneity protected by the Constitution and sustained by the checks and balances. Nonetheless, Noll succeeds brilliantly in explaining how and why religion was central to early-American history.

The title of LaWanda Cox's Lincoln and Black Freedom may be somewhat misleading. At first glance, the reader may assume that this book is simply a hybrid of two familiar animals in postbellum literature-a biography of Abraham Lincoln and a survey of African-American efforts to better their condition. Yet while the actions and attitudes of Lincoln may be the primary subject of the work, most of the book focuses on the deeds of lesser men in relation and response to his efforts in reconstructing Louisiana. While the efforts of black Americans themselves are all but entirely missing, this is still a great book that succeeds in its mission to reexamine the actions and intentions of Lincoln and reflect on what might have been had he lived.

Cox begins her study with an investigation of Lincoln's own personal beliefs about emancipation, black suffrage, equal rights, and the creation a biracial society. Despite some historians who had recently questioned his dedication to abolition and egalitarianism, Cox convincingly portrays Lincoln as equally committed to the Radicals' goals while transcending their limited ability to understand that politics is "the art of the possible."

While regional politicians such as Thaddeus Stevens had the luxury of being able to unequivocally condemn the South and her peculiar institution, Lincoln knew that his obligation as President required a message of conciliation, leading rather than pushing towards egalitarian goals that could be reasonably achieved as the opportunity presented itself and in a manner consistent with legal and political norms.

Lincoln was passionately and publicly opposed to slavery. But he was equally concerned with the preservation of the union and adhering to the Constitution. Cox's many assertions that Lincoln was cautious in his maneuvering while consistent in his beliefs are backed by scores of examples taken from Lincoln's own words of instruction. These words, of necessity, may have been privately conveyed, but they were no less uncompromising in their message that the Union must be preserved while slavery must be destroyed.

One of many examples Cox employs to illustrate this point is the action of James McKaye, Lincoln's liaison to the Freedman's Inquiry Commission. The group outlined a plan for dealing with former slaves that would later serve as the model for "Radical Reconstruction" based on citizenship, suffrage, and landownership. Even amongst radicals of the day such as Charles Sumner, McKaye was the most progressive member. Although Lincoln did not lead the group or outline their objectives, Cox reminds the reader that it would be atypical of Lincoln to allow a subordinate such as McKaye to act without first consulting the President.

The core of LaWanda Cox's work is a review and reinterpretation of Lincoln's attempt at Reconstruction in Louisiana prior to his death in 1865. Because Lincoln did not view the Presidency as a endowment to act upon his own beliefs-a view that is reinforced by his moderation in forming executive policies while pressing local officials to be more progressive, such examples as the Louisiana "experiment" may serve as the best model for understanding Lincoln's true intentions for Reconstruction as well as his personal beliefs about black freedom.

Cox joins most historians in acknowledging that Lincoln's first priority in the struggle to reconstruct former rebel states was to aid the Union cause. The Ten Percent Plan was intended to quickly create a "rallying point" for southern loyalists while delivering the Confederacy an important psychological defeat. But Cox examines in great detail the behind the scenes actions of President Lincoln in assuring that the Louisiana government abolish slavery, and if possible, enfranchise black males with the right to vote.

Lincoln was concerned about the permanent legal status of persons emancipated under a wartime proclamation. He knew that the only guarantee against a reverse of the freedman's status was for the states themselves to abolish slavery in their constitutions. He ordered his military governor, Nathaniel Banks, to quickly hold elections and create such a constitution. Lincoln was sure that the Republican Congress would surely ratify such a document, setting a precedent for readmission that would require permanent emancipation before the elections of 1864 would give the Democrats the opportunity to interfere.

The resulting elections and constitutional convention did result in a relatively progressive government in Louisiana by February 1864. In fact, the new constitution not only outlawed slavery but also included equality before the law. Its framers were open to gradual black suffrage. As Cox illustrates, Lincoln used his powers of influence and patronage to prod the fledgling government into accepting these provisions. Unfortunately, a controversy arose over the readmission of the new government that all but destroyed its legitimacy after the Republican Congress denied its petition.

The conflict erupted from the fallout of an ugly campaign that resembled a soap opera more than a free election. The contest for governor pitted Governor Banks' candidate, Michael Hahn, against Free State Committee leader Thomas Durant. Although there was no essential matter of principle that divided the two men or their followers, (both were committed to abolition and to the idea of extending civil rights to blacks but were hesitant about immediate suffrage) governor Bank's un-Lincolnian style of management by force and Congress' distrust of Lincoln's methods such as military occupation caused Durant and his followers to discredit the Louisiana government after losing the election. The tragic irony, as Cox points out, was that the government that Lincoln had engineered through Banks was even more radical than what was Congress outlined in its own wish list, the Wade-Davis Bill.

Cox's final chapter entitled "Reflections on the Limits of the Possible" compares the policies, skills, and beliefs of Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, Ulysses Grant, and the Republican Congress as a whole and explores the great question of what might have been. Her conclusion is that the ten-year battle between Congress and the Executive would have likely been reduced to a discussion of how to achieve the mutually accepted goal of guaranteeing the rights of the freed slaves. The Republican Party, especially in the South, would have benefited by association with the political skill and moderation of Lincoln rather than with the single-minded "Radical Yankee Republicans" of Congress. Had a stronger Republican party taken root, it may have resulted in a viable two party system that would have made the inevitable transition to home rule more agreeable. Yet even Lincoln could not have immediately guaranteed and enforced equal rights for the freedmen because racism was firmly entrenched and the Southern economy offered no assistance. Even the most radical plan of land redistribution failed to provide a means to revive the Southern economy. Even so, Cox provides a compelling argument to support her case that had Lincoln been able to extend his Louisiana program of consent and force, Reconstruction would have been much more successful.

Lawanda Cox discusses at length the steps that Lincoln follows to ensure emancipation and the survival of the union after the Civil War. Lincoln leadership and strategies is the main topic of the book is. At many times, this book is about building Lincolns reputation as a great leader. Reconstruction, post Civil War, is the time period when this book first leads off. Lincoln immediately uses his talent to hold the nation together. Cox's audience is obviously anyone that has ever question just how brilliant and talented Lincoln really was. This is a great source to see just how strategic Lincoln was to keep the union together and go through with the emancipation. College students could use this book as part of a biography to give examples on what steps Lincoln used during his presidency. This book should be part of everyone's Civil War library. The author, LaWanda Cox is a, "seasoned Reconstruction scholar," wrote Thomas Schott. With the research that I have done, I can only agree with Mr.Schott. She has also written another book about Reconstruction called Freedom, Racism, and Reconstruction : Collected Writings of Lawanda Cox.. Lawanda Cox is a leading Reconstruction historian. She is a professor of history at Hunter College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. In 1992 she received the Southern Historical Associations' first citation for lifetime of to the field of Southern History. In writing this book, Cox uses several primary and secondary sources. Many different books about Reconstruction and black freedom were consulted when this book was put together. Most of her sources were books written by a variety of authors. In my opinion, she seemed to cover just about everything. LaWanda is very objective throughout the book. She is quick to support Lincoln in everything that he does, but does also criticize him at times. For example, "Lincoln's effort to enlist, or a t least neutralize, economic interest and portraying compensation for slaves as money saved from the cost of war depended upon his main contention that the war should be shortened and was similarly vulnerable," criticizes Lincoln a little, but also writes, "Lincoln's extraordinary effort on behalf of gradual, compensated emancipation," and much later, "If any man could met the challenge, that man was Lincoln." She looks at Lincoln as a great leader. So great as to not give in to the radicals, develop and follow the ten percent plan, and realize that small, sometimes flexible steps needed to be taken throughout Reconstruction. Lincoln has always been considered one of America's greatest presidents. This book takes a giant leap to prove that to any non-believer. Cox's shows Lincoln strengths when dealing with other people. Lincoln had clear plan, but Cox's shows how flexible he was in the emancipation in using other people suggestions. He does just this in Louisiana. Lincoln does what he can to create and recognize Louisiana as a state. It was not Lincoln that was doing the dirty work, Cox explained. Most of the time he had someone pass his own words. Lincoln avoided developing a connection between recognition of a state and abolition of slavery. Cox in the end of the book goes on to express what may have happen if Lincoln had remained president. With the strategic power that Lincoln had, he may settled the race issue much sooner. Cox points out how Andrew Johnson was so weak compared to Lincoln. Johnson was not only a weak president, but also had southern roots. Cox thinks Lincoln would have went as far as military force to see what he wanted carried out. Cox writes, "Given the difference in principle and prejudice between Lincoln and Johnson, Reconstruction history would have followed a different path both at the nation's capital and in the secession states of the South had Lincoln lived out his second term of office. Of that there can be no doubt." The style of this book can be very confusing at times. To me it seems to go over the same point over and over. Emancipation was the most confusing of all the things I read. A preliminary emancipation was issued followed by a warning of emancipation, and then a test emancipation all going on at different times in Louisiana. It was in chronological order making it easier for me to read since I have some knowledge of the Reconstruction Era. The book I thought was original. I read new information every time I picked up the book. Cox used many different sources when writing this book. It is not the first book on Lincoln as a Presidential Leader. It refines Lincoln during the Reconstruction Era smoothing out the facts about his strategy. Many people have written books about Lincoln in the past. This is LaWand Cox's second book about Lincoln. LaWanda Cox's book does get more original towards the end of the book when she considers what could have happened had Lincoln continued to be President. The book reviews that I looked seemed to agree that LaWanda Cox's Lincoln and Black Freedom is a great source of information and plainly fascinating. Fresh and sharp were two words that described it according to one critic. She was considered a seasoned Reconstruction author that should receive every ounce of credit for her book. Recently a book was written from a collection of Cox's books, Freedom, Racism, and Reconstruction : Collected Writings of Lawanda Cox. From reading all the reviews LaWanda Cox is consider a scholar of Southern Reconstruction. If you are interested in presidential strategy, emancipation, reconstruction, or just Lincoln, then you should add this book to your library of American History. However, this book is very difficult to read. You need some kind of a background in the Reconstruction Era to appreciate this book. For all the detail, strategy, and depth, all scholars should read this book.

Just by briefly glancing at the pages of Amazon.com, one realizes that there are thousands of books about Abraham Lincoln. Within these books are hundreds of "different" Abraham Lincolns. Some of these Lincolns have different ideas, different policies, and different strategies twords winning the war than other Lincolns. Nowhere is this battle over Lincoln more hard fought than the idea of Lincoln the Emancipator.

Lawanda Cox in her wonderful book LINCOLN AND BLACK FREEDOM comes down soldly and convincingly on the side of Lincoln as an active agent working for the end of slavery. Cox demonstrates this, amoung other ways, by closly examining Lincoln's policy twords slavery in La, and by examining Lincoln the politician.

Cox almost never misses in her closely argued, complex arguments. For the reader interested in emancipation, the Civil War and especially Abraham Lincoln, the book is a must-read.