What do you think?
Rate this book
Lincoln: An Illustrated Biography
Examines Lincoln's role during the Civil War
432 pages, Hardcover
First published October 20, 1992
5 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 3, 2008
Until I was in my late 20's, I did not know my second oldest brother very well. About that time, however, circumstances in life brought us together and we found that we shared a deep and abiding love of books. He moved to Denver in 1992 from Los Angeles and every time I was there visiting we would go to The Tattered Cover together, a wonderful multi-story bookstore in Denver. We would spend ours there together, but separately and bump into each other from time to time as our browsing paths crossed. One year he bought this book for me because he saw that I loved it and knew I could not afford to buy it myself. It is a wonderful photographic book about President Lincoln, which I always have out on a table. The book reminds me not only of a great president who I admire, but also of a special bond I have with my brother. All the more special because we discovered it later in our lives and it formed the basis of a true friendship between us.
April 11, 2024
I have read many books on Lincoln and the Civil War. This book is among the most accurate and complete among them all. The photos are marvelous, and the narrative provides a full understanding of the man and his marvelous work to save the union and restructure the political and social fabric of the country. We remember that Lincoln was a constitutionalist but also a visionary on the changes in the polity that had to occur before the original dream of the authors of the Declaration of Independence could be realized.
Did I read that the two volumes of the Lincoln books contain every known photograph of him?
Did I read that the two volumes of the Lincoln books contain every known photograph of him?
August 16, 2021
Highly recommended...
...as a stand alone book but even more so as a supplement to be read in conjunction with another biography of Lincoln (I highly recommend "With Malice Toward None" by Oates).
The photos are incredible, some very well known, others exceptionally rare and unique. The text is above average and written with an eye towards historical accuracy but more than just dry commentary. It is clear the writer(s) admires Lincoln but does not wish to white wash him of his failings.
The last few chapters are absolute standouts, dealing with the days leading up to his assassination, the night of, the following days, the funeral and trip to Illinois, and the aftermath of the tragedy, going into a great deal of little known detail about these events and supported by spectacular photos.
The formatting changes in the 2nd third of the book when describing his administration: each month has 2 pages of commentary and photos dedicated to it so one is reading a calendar/timeline/diary. I found it very effective in conveying a day to day sense of the war, Lincoln's administration and cabinet, and the chaos of those four years in American history.
Make sure to read the Forward and Introduction - the story of the accumulation and care of these archived photos is also fascinating.
...as a stand alone book but even more so as a supplement to be read in conjunction with another biography of Lincoln (I highly recommend "With Malice Toward None" by Oates).
The photos are incredible, some very well known, others exceptionally rare and unique. The text is above average and written with an eye towards historical accuracy but more than just dry commentary. It is clear the writer(s) admires Lincoln but does not wish to white wash him of his failings.
The last few chapters are absolute standouts, dealing with the days leading up to his assassination, the night of, the following days, the funeral and trip to Illinois, and the aftermath of the tragedy, going into a great deal of little known detail about these events and supported by spectacular photos.
The formatting changes in the 2nd third of the book when describing his administration: each month has 2 pages of commentary and photos dedicated to it so one is reading a calendar/timeline/diary. I found it very effective in conveying a day to day sense of the war, Lincoln's administration and cabinet, and the chaos of those four years in American history.
Make sure to read the Forward and Introduction - the story of the accumulation and care of these archived photos is also fascinating.
October 4, 2015
A must read! It contains every known picture of Lincoln, and many of the people around him. The authors are descendants of Frederick Hill Meserve, who was the first American collector of photography and his specialty was Lincoln.
The book is so detailed that it covers his presidency by devoting two pages to every month he was in office. It gave insight into the development of Lincoln's views on the reason for the war, slavery, and his incredible compassion and wisdom about people. The description of Lincoln's evolving view of African Americans humanizes him -- and then you see him surpass typical human perceptions on the topic!
The book is so detailed that it covers his presidency by devoting two pages to every month he was in office. It gave insight into the development of Lincoln's views on the reason for the war, slavery, and his incredible compassion and wisdom about people. The description of Lincoln's evolving view of African Americans humanizes him -- and then you see him surpass typical human perceptions on the topic!
November 21, 2016
This 1992 coffee table-sized book is a companion volume to an ABC documentary of that time. It's based on the largest collection of Lincoln photos and materials owned by the Kunhardt family. The over 700 illustrations document Lincoln throughout his political career and include a month by month summary of the war years through his funeral with some additional information about the Lincoln family afterwards. The details of history and the seldom seen photos make this a must for any reader interested in Lincoln, his associates, and the Civil War period.
April 15, 2012
Although a short book, it is full of details about Lincoln and somehow I feel now like I really know and understand the man. He was so compassionate and a far better person than I knew before reading the book. Not affiliated with any church, he was a better man than many who claim to be religious and devout. I would encourage anyone curious about Lincoln to read this book.
May 22, 2016
The Kunhardt family are just classy. Their long study of Abraham Lincoln and his world capped by their creativity result in great books. An example: On one page are photos of the 14 people who declined the invitation to attend Ford's Theater with President and Mrs. Lincoln on April 14, 1865. Great visual feast.
August 8, 2007
As an avid Lincoln reader, I was thrilled when this $50 edition showed up at Tower Records (R.I.P.) for $12.99. I knew there was a reason I kept putting off buying it at full price... It remains one of my all-time faves.
December 12, 2020
Aside from being a huge book (not thick - but literally huge) and hard to schlep around the house when I wanted to read it, this was a really great detailed biography of Number 16. I loved the attention to detail found in all of the illustrations, photos, and historical documents that accompanied the text.
The fantastic and tragic of life of Lincoln is captured as we go from his boyhood in Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois - to his Presidency in Washington DC. Lincoln's lived during the adolescence of the United States and his leadership during the Civil War was a huge influence on American History.
The fantastic and tragic of life of Lincoln is captured as we go from his boyhood in Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois - to his Presidency in Washington DC. Lincoln's lived during the adolescence of the United States and his leadership during the Civil War was a huge influence on American History.
July 17, 2025
Brief, but lush with detail and humanity, this biography brings our 16th President and his wife into three-dimensional human beings. One almost feels as if they could be our neighbors who suffered much and yet meant so much to us all. A definite must-read for lovers of that era, the Presidency and our history!
May 5, 2020
This pictorial biography of Abraham Lincoln throughout his life is one of the best I have seen. Beautifully laid out with information and stories of the 16th Presdient within its pages. This is one coffee table book I shall cherish for many years to come.
June 11, 2020
The audiobook leaves me wanting so much more. ❤️
March 28, 2024
This was a wonderful book. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more details about Lincoln's life, while also browsing through the amazing collection of photographs.
July 8, 2024
One of my favorite books... a thorough and piercing glimpse at our greatest president
August 25, 2008
I read this book because at my mom's house, Lincoln books are one of the only options you have. That or Nancy Drew; I took the high road on this one. I was surprised at how much I learned and enjoyed as I read this book.
March 28, 2009
Our entire family, ages 6 to 37, really liked this book. The photos are mesmerizing, and the accompanying text, when you can tear your eyes away from the photos to read it, is well-written and informative.
December 24, 2010
The photographs are incredible. The US history displayed here makes me wonder how anyone could have survived it all, much less gone on to forge a new kind of nation. This book is a must-have for fans of Lincoln-era stuff.
January 19, 2011
Fascinating stories about one of our favorite presidents. I loved learning about his life as a boy, and also about his relationship with Mary Todd. After reading this book, I respect Mr. Lincoln even more! Did you know Thanksgiving was his idea? As was paper currency! Well done, sir!
June 26, 2013
An adequate biography, I listened to it on a road trip in lieu of Doris Kearns Goodwin's "Team of Rivals," which was not available. A good basic story of our greatest President. Good and still very inspirational.
February 22, 2009
Probably my favorite Lincoln book.
July 1, 2009
at Ft Rich library
April 7, 2011
This was a well written and interesting book on Abraham Lincoln and his life. There was a lot in there that I didn't know. I learned a lot from this book and loved the illustrations.
July 27, 2011
While not the best written Lincoln biography I've read, this book is worth the reading for the fabulous photo collection of Kunhardt's grandfather, Frederick Meserve.
August 3, 2014
audio version--since you miss all of the photographs and illustrations, this seems really short (4 hours) and probably would not satisfy any Lincoln buffs, but was interesting enough to listen to.
April 18, 2016
A. Great. Man. A. Great. Book. And. Story. Thanks. Doris.
December 30, 2007
Wonderful pictures that make the story of Abraham Lincoln come to life.
February 20, 2010
Enjoyed this short but very interesting book on Lincoln.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews