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Lincoln: A Life of Purpose and Power
An original and deeply insightful biography of Abraham Lincoln, already awarded the prestigious Lincoln Prize.
As a defender of national unity, a leader in war, and the emancipator of slaves, Abraham Lincoln lays ample claim to being the greatest of our presidents. But the story of his rise to greatness is as complex as it is compelling. In this superb biography, the highly regarded Oxford University historian Richard Carwardine examines Lincoln both in his dramatic political journey and in his nation-shaping White House years. Through his groundbreaking research, Carwardine probes the sources of Lincoln’s moral and political philosophy. We see how, while pursuing office, Lincoln drew strength from public opinion and the machinery of his party. We see him, as a wartime president, recognizing the limits as well as the possibilities of power, and the necessity of looking for support beyond his own administration. We see how he turned to the churches, to their humanitarian agencies, and to the volunteer Union Army for allies in his struggle to end slavery.
In illuminating the political talents that went hand in hand with large and serious moral purpose, Carwardine gives us a fresh, important portrait of the incomparable Abraham Lincoln.
As a defender of national unity, a leader in war, and the emancipator of slaves, Abraham Lincoln lays ample claim to being the greatest of our presidents. But the story of his rise to greatness is as complex as it is compelling. In this superb biography, the highly regarded Oxford University historian Richard Carwardine examines Lincoln both in his dramatic political journey and in his nation-shaping White House years. Through his groundbreaking research, Carwardine probes the sources of Lincoln’s moral and political philosophy. We see how, while pursuing office, Lincoln drew strength from public opinion and the machinery of his party. We see him, as a wartime president, recognizing the limits as well as the possibilities of power, and the necessity of looking for support beyond his own administration. We see how he turned to the churches, to their humanitarian agencies, and to the volunteer Union Army for allies in his struggle to end slavery.
In illuminating the political talents that went hand in hand with large and serious moral purpose, Carwardine gives us a fresh, important portrait of the incomparable Abraham Lincoln.
369 pages, Hardcover
First published January 10, 2003
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About the author
Richard J. Carwardine
8 books10 followersRichard Carwardine is Rhodes Professor of American History emeritus and the former President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford University.
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June 14, 2024
A British Historian Studies Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln's life and career continue to fascinate and inspire Americans. Richard Carwardine's recent study: "Lincoln: A Life of Purpose and Power" joins a select number of outstanding works on Lincoln written by a non-American scholar. Richard Carwardine is the Rhodes Professor of American History at Oxford University. His book, fittingly, was awarded the Lincoln prize, the first work of a British writer to be so honored.
Professor Carwardine's study tells little of Lincoln's private life: his marriage, prior relationships with women, his personal interests, his depression, his sexual orientation, and other issues that have been explored in some recent works. He seems to presuppose a knowledge in his readers of the rudimentary facts of Lincoln's life. (A duel in which Lincoln participated as a young man is mentioned twice in passing but never developed.) Instead, Professor Carwardine explores Lincoln's public career, before and during his presidency, and tries to develop the traits of character and the circumstances that made Lincoln what he was.
Thus, Professor Carwardine devotes a great deal of attention to Lincoln's overwhelming ambition -- noted by virtually every writer on this subject -- and his desire to make something of his life through work and effort. Professor Carwardine also emphasizes Lincoln's shrewdness, knowledge of human nature, ability to present himself, and facility at working with and blending together disparate groups and ideas. These pragmatic, practical abilities would prove essential to the tasks Lincoln was called upon to perform as president.
Professor Carwardine emphasizes as well another, more thoughtful side of Lincoln. His book describes Lincoln's role as a leader who endeavored to shape and mold public opinion rather than to be led by it. Professor Carwardine describes the fundamental role that moral conviction played in Lincoln's political career -- in his lifelong belief in the evil of slavery and in his devotion to the cause of democracy and the union. The book describes well the development of Lincoln's religious convictions as he assumed the burdens of his presidency. From his origins as a skeptic and freethinker, Lincoln developed a sense of a just and providential God directing the course of human events for reasons of His own. Lincoln's theology dovetailed at some point with America's evangelical Protestantism, even though Lincoln never became a traditional believer or practicing Christian. Lincoln's religious sense and moral fervor, for Professor Carwardine, became essential to the leadership he provided during the Civil War, as evidenced by the Emancipation Proclamation and the Second Inaugural Address, among much else.
Professor Carwardine offers an insightful portrayal of American life during Civil War times, particularly in middle-America as he discusses Lincoln's rise to power in Illinois and the 1858 debates with Stephen Douglas. He shows how Lincoln evolved during his years as president and how both his moral vision and his sense for the politically practicable were essential to holding the Union together and creating a sense of American nationalism.
As does much modern history and biography, Professor Carwardine is at pains to separate Lincoln, the hero and the cultural icon, from Lincoln the man, and from the facts of his life. But in spite of these efforts and of Professor Carwardine's own understated conclusions, this book presents the reader with a remarkable man and a remarkable life. Professor Carwardine concludes: "While he was certainly not reluctant to wield political authority, his practical policy grew from a strong sense of moral purpose, and his course as president was shaped not by impulsive, self-aggrandizing action or self-righteousness, but by deep thought, breadth of vision, careful concern for consequences, and a remarkable lack of pride."
Robin Friedman
Abraham Lincoln's life and career continue to fascinate and inspire Americans. Richard Carwardine's recent study: "Lincoln: A Life of Purpose and Power" joins a select number of outstanding works on Lincoln written by a non-American scholar. Richard Carwardine is the Rhodes Professor of American History at Oxford University. His book, fittingly, was awarded the Lincoln prize, the first work of a British writer to be so honored.
Professor Carwardine's study tells little of Lincoln's private life: his marriage, prior relationships with women, his personal interests, his depression, his sexual orientation, and other issues that have been explored in some recent works. He seems to presuppose a knowledge in his readers of the rudimentary facts of Lincoln's life. (A duel in which Lincoln participated as a young man is mentioned twice in passing but never developed.) Instead, Professor Carwardine explores Lincoln's public career, before and during his presidency, and tries to develop the traits of character and the circumstances that made Lincoln what he was.
Thus, Professor Carwardine devotes a great deal of attention to Lincoln's overwhelming ambition -- noted by virtually every writer on this subject -- and his desire to make something of his life through work and effort. Professor Carwardine also emphasizes Lincoln's shrewdness, knowledge of human nature, ability to present himself, and facility at working with and blending together disparate groups and ideas. These pragmatic, practical abilities would prove essential to the tasks Lincoln was called upon to perform as president.
Professor Carwardine emphasizes as well another, more thoughtful side of Lincoln. His book describes Lincoln's role as a leader who endeavored to shape and mold public opinion rather than to be led by it. Professor Carwardine describes the fundamental role that moral conviction played in Lincoln's political career -- in his lifelong belief in the evil of slavery and in his devotion to the cause of democracy and the union. The book describes well the development of Lincoln's religious convictions as he assumed the burdens of his presidency. From his origins as a skeptic and freethinker, Lincoln developed a sense of a just and providential God directing the course of human events for reasons of His own. Lincoln's theology dovetailed at some point with America's evangelical Protestantism, even though Lincoln never became a traditional believer or practicing Christian. Lincoln's religious sense and moral fervor, for Professor Carwardine, became essential to the leadership he provided during the Civil War, as evidenced by the Emancipation Proclamation and the Second Inaugural Address, among much else.
Professor Carwardine offers an insightful portrayal of American life during Civil War times, particularly in middle-America as he discusses Lincoln's rise to power in Illinois and the 1858 debates with Stephen Douglas. He shows how Lincoln evolved during his years as president and how both his moral vision and his sense for the politically practicable were essential to holding the Union together and creating a sense of American nationalism.
As does much modern history and biography, Professor Carwardine is at pains to separate Lincoln, the hero and the cultural icon, from Lincoln the man, and from the facts of his life. But in spite of these efforts and of Professor Carwardine's own understated conclusions, this book presents the reader with a remarkable man and a remarkable life. Professor Carwardine concludes: "While he was certainly not reluctant to wield political authority, his practical policy grew from a strong sense of moral purpose, and his course as president was shaped not by impulsive, self-aggrandizing action or self-righteousness, but by deep thought, breadth of vision, careful concern for consequences, and a remarkable lack of pride."
Robin Friedman
February 23, 2016
It seems difficult to believe that after all the Lincoln biographies that have been published, anyone could think of anything new or dynamic to write. But this historian has done exactly that. This is a highly readable biography that focuses on things others tend to ignore.
One of my favorite sections here is the one on the famous Lincoln/Douglas debates. I find myself wishing we had formats more like that these days where reporters are less conspicuous and candidates can truly debate the issues.
I enjoyed the way this was organized, and the discussion on Lincoln's spirituality and the evolution thereof kept me leaning into the book. Interesting, too, was Lincoln's use of volunteer organizations, churches, and individual evangelists to help cement the emancipation proclimation.
Dick Hill did a nice narration here when he wasn't reading actual quotes. For inexplicable reasons, every time he read a quote or even a partial one, his voice would go up half an octive and he would often affect some kind of weird accent. His narration of the straight text was superb; the minute he hit a quote, things went wobbly. But this is far too excellent a biography to allow that to prevent you from reading it. It's well organized, and I assure you you'll learn things about Lincoln you may not have known or at the very least, you'll be intrigued by the particular elements of Lincoln's life this historian chose to focus on.
One of my favorite sections here is the one on the famous Lincoln/Douglas debates. I find myself wishing we had formats more like that these days where reporters are less conspicuous and candidates can truly debate the issues.
I enjoyed the way this was organized, and the discussion on Lincoln's spirituality and the evolution thereof kept me leaning into the book. Interesting, too, was Lincoln's use of volunteer organizations, churches, and individual evangelists to help cement the emancipation proclimation.
Dick Hill did a nice narration here when he wasn't reading actual quotes. For inexplicable reasons, every time he read a quote or even a partial one, his voice would go up half an octive and he would often affect some kind of weird accent. His narration of the straight text was superb; the minute he hit a quote, things went wobbly. But this is far too excellent a biography to allow that to prevent you from reading it. It's well organized, and I assure you you'll learn things about Lincoln you may not have known or at the very least, you'll be intrigued by the particular elements of Lincoln's life this historian chose to focus on.
February 28, 2024
A well balanced account of the life and times of our 16th president, this book earns a place on my already groaning shelf of Lincoln books. The author does a good job of balancing the political aspects of Washington with the military aspects. The copy of this book I read and reviewed was an enhanced copy with 75 illustrations that really added to the reading experience. Overall a very good read.
January 7, 2019
There wasn't enough story in this biography, to keep this reader turning the page. Author Richard Carwardine's writing style is fact driven. So, it was a slow but worthwhile read. I learned a great deal about a remarkable leader and statesman.
May 20, 2021
Abraham Lincoln is an interesting historical figure, especially because of the combination between the high moral tone of his approach as a leader and the shrewdness of his practical behavior. A contemporary of Lincoln's, Otto von Bismarck, once said that people should not know how their laws and sausages are made, and this book is really about how it was that Lincoln's life and presidency were made. Not all readers will find this to be a pleasant task, but this book certainly finds a worthwhile niche in the fourteen thousand or more books that have been written about Lincoln. This niche is in looking at the institutional strength that Lincoln drew on in his presidency and the continuity between his career as a Whig party loyalist and between his more high-toned behavior as a higher level Republican political office seeker. This continuity is compared with what appears to be a gradual, and controversial, shift between Lincoln's early skepticism with regards to religion to a later and far more nuanced position where it is difficult to tell the difference between genuine belief and opportunistic political language. The author likes to explore the tension between Lincoln as a candid politician, within the bounds of being an effective politician, and his canniness and exploitation of the sources of power that were available to him.
This audiobook is twelve volumes long and most of it focuses on Lincoln's presidency. It should be noted, though, that the author looks at the beginning of Lincoln's life, including his personal background, to see how it was that Lincoln operated within the world of American politics, and he draws some notable conclusions about Lincoln's political behavior as president by looking at the political system that Lincoln inhabited and his place within it. There is a great deal of discussion about Lincoln's general personal and political reputation and the author spends a lot of time discussing the influence of religion on politics and looking at the nature of the Republican coalition that Lincoln led and how he managed to finesse the differences within that coalition by striking actions that were able to build a broad base of support. The author is, as the title helpfully notes, particularly keen on examining Lincoln's purposes as well as his use of and search for power.
This is a fascinating book. The author is by no means someone who believes in Lincoln as an exceptional leader. In the author's view, what was exceptional was the institutional strength of the political party as well as the American presidency and the supple flexibility of the Constitution in how it could be dealt with in times of war. The author notes both the daring nature of Lincoln's theoretical justification as well as his restraint in the exercise of power as being important elements in his successful presidency, and also notes that he was not viewed as being a particularly notable or exceptional leader during his time as president. It is quite possible that the author himself believes too much like that of many of Lincoln's peers and rivals that Lincoln was not quite as savvy as he was. Lincoln's unprepossessing approach and humility as well as his ungainly appearance all tend to lead to him being underestimated and underappreciated by others. If the author gives proper praise to the context in which Lincoln operated, it is quite possible that he misses some of the man in looking at his surroundings. After all, Lincoln's predecessor, James Buchanan, greatly missed out on opportunities for greatness given similar circumstances.
This audiobook is twelve volumes long and most of it focuses on Lincoln's presidency. It should be noted, though, that the author looks at the beginning of Lincoln's life, including his personal background, to see how it was that Lincoln operated within the world of American politics, and he draws some notable conclusions about Lincoln's political behavior as president by looking at the political system that Lincoln inhabited and his place within it. There is a great deal of discussion about Lincoln's general personal and political reputation and the author spends a lot of time discussing the influence of religion on politics and looking at the nature of the Republican coalition that Lincoln led and how he managed to finesse the differences within that coalition by striking actions that were able to build a broad base of support. The author is, as the title helpfully notes, particularly keen on examining Lincoln's purposes as well as his use of and search for power.
This is a fascinating book. The author is by no means someone who believes in Lincoln as an exceptional leader. In the author's view, what was exceptional was the institutional strength of the political party as well as the American presidency and the supple flexibility of the Constitution in how it could be dealt with in times of war. The author notes both the daring nature of Lincoln's theoretical justification as well as his restraint in the exercise of power as being important elements in his successful presidency, and also notes that he was not viewed as being a particularly notable or exceptional leader during his time as president. It is quite possible that the author himself believes too much like that of many of Lincoln's peers and rivals that Lincoln was not quite as savvy as he was. Lincoln's unprepossessing approach and humility as well as his ungainly appearance all tend to lead to him being underestimated and underappreciated by others. If the author gives proper praise to the context in which Lincoln operated, it is quite possible that he misses some of the man in looking at his surroundings. After all, Lincoln's predecessor, James Buchanan, greatly missed out on opportunities for greatness given similar circumstances.
November 30, 2009
All right. I read this book for a book challenge, and am supposed to tell what I thought Lincoln's greatest accomplishments and scandals were. So here's what I came up with:
This book was EXTREMELY pro-Lincoln.... In fact, I think the author may be the president of the Abraham Lincoln fan-club... I don't know much about Lincoln (at ALL) other than what I read, so I tried to take it and draw my own conclusions. So, I'm just going to call it as I see it:
Accomplishments:
Freeing the slaves (of course), and giving Blacks the opportunity to serve in the military. Also, I was impressed by his ability to read people and situations him and act accordingly. He was accused of not acting quickly enough (probably true), but I think part of it was that he would try to figure out the "mood" of a certain state or person and then figure out what the best method to approach them would be. He crashed and burned with Missouri, but it worked in a lot of other instances. He was QUITE good at manipulating situations into his favor. I thought he did a great job encouraging the military and used the press quite effectively. Also, the author spent a lot of time talking about the religious aspects of Lincoln's life. Lincoln really seemed to be trying to do what God wanted him to do (more so as the war went on), and I was very impressed by that.
Scandals:
I think that Lincoln probably could have made different decisions that would have brought the war to a close more quickly... But I hesitate saying that because the author made it VERY clear that Lincoln was relying heavily on "signs" from God, and who am I to doubt God's will, you know? I don't know how much of that was true (thanks biased author!).... So yeah....
Also, I was very surprised that Lincoln's position regarding freeing the slaves was not decided from the very beginning.... For quite a while, his position was that he wasn't going to stop southern states from practicing slavery, he just didn’t want slavery to expand into new states. Then, he wanted people to gradually stop slavery and had high hopes for "relocating" freed slaves to some island in the Caribbean after the war was over, etc. It almost seemed like he fell into the Emancipation Proclamation... The idea was some other guy's VERY UNPOPULAR idea first (I can't remember which guy it was, sorry... there were SO many names and it was an audiobook...), and he sorta came around to the idea. Of course, once he decided that freeing the slaves was the right thing to do, he NEVER backed down, which was great.
But personally, I think the biggest "scandal" was Lincoln's creation of FEDERAL INCOME TAX (to finance the Civil War). When I heard that (audiobook), I was like, "NO! LINCOLN! SAY IT’S NOT TRUE!!" *sigh* I mean, man! That STILL affects us today in the WORST way!
This book was EXTREMELY pro-Lincoln.... In fact, I think the author may be the president of the Abraham Lincoln fan-club... I don't know much about Lincoln (at ALL) other than what I read, so I tried to take it and draw my own conclusions. So, I'm just going to call it as I see it:
Accomplishments:
Freeing the slaves (of course), and giving Blacks the opportunity to serve in the military. Also, I was impressed by his ability to read people and situations him and act accordingly. He was accused of not acting quickly enough (probably true), but I think part of it was that he would try to figure out the "mood" of a certain state or person and then figure out what the best method to approach them would be. He crashed and burned with Missouri, but it worked in a lot of other instances. He was QUITE good at manipulating situations into his favor. I thought he did a great job encouraging the military and used the press quite effectively. Also, the author spent a lot of time talking about the religious aspects of Lincoln's life. Lincoln really seemed to be trying to do what God wanted him to do (more so as the war went on), and I was very impressed by that.
Scandals:
I think that Lincoln probably could have made different decisions that would have brought the war to a close more quickly... But I hesitate saying that because the author made it VERY clear that Lincoln was relying heavily on "signs" from God, and who am I to doubt God's will, you know? I don't know how much of that was true (thanks biased author!).... So yeah....
Also, I was very surprised that Lincoln's position regarding freeing the slaves was not decided from the very beginning.... For quite a while, his position was that he wasn't going to stop southern states from practicing slavery, he just didn’t want slavery to expand into new states. Then, he wanted people to gradually stop slavery and had high hopes for "relocating" freed slaves to some island in the Caribbean after the war was over, etc. It almost seemed like he fell into the Emancipation Proclamation... The idea was some other guy's VERY UNPOPULAR idea first (I can't remember which guy it was, sorry... there were SO many names and it was an audiobook...), and he sorta came around to the idea. Of course, once he decided that freeing the slaves was the right thing to do, he NEVER backed down, which was great.
But personally, I think the biggest "scandal" was Lincoln's creation of FEDERAL INCOME TAX (to finance the Civil War). When I heard that (audiobook), I was like, "NO! LINCOLN! SAY IT’S NOT TRUE!!" *sigh* I mean, man! That STILL affects us today in the WORST way!
July 3, 2014
Having been introduced to Lincoln the political figure in several previous biographies, I was interested to get more into that aspect of his character with this one.
However, Carwardine seems to have cobbled his book together from several other accounts-- not badly, but not quite "groundbreaking".
The structures of Carwardine's contribution are pretty standard Lincoln biography: he begins with the relationship of Lincoln the frontiersman to Lincoln the politician; ambition and self-reliance were personal values that he transferred on to his vision of America as a nation. While this angle has been covered before, as with his section on Lincoln's religion, (particularly in Allen C. Guelzo's book), Carwardine's treatment is less poetic, more authoritative than Guelzo's. Likewise, his focus on the political Lincoln (the main thrust of his book) seemed too familiar to me after finishing Doris Kearns Goodwin's book.
Carwardine's real contribution is synthesis. All these strains are molded into one fairly compact volume, if not quite well-organized. Lincoln and politics takes center stage for much of the first half. There is an unexpected shift to Lincoln and religion that appears in the middle and reappears towards the end. The subtopics that Carwardine lays out in his preface remain inchoate. The conclusion is an awkward though accurate analysis of Lincoln's post-death impact and legacy.
This reads less like a single book and more like a loosely-connected collection of drafts. Carwardine has a rare-enough ability to compress and distill information but I think it works against him here. The information is solid but the pieces they are broken up into don't quite fit.
However, Carwardine seems to have cobbled his book together from several other accounts-- not badly, but not quite "groundbreaking".
The structures of Carwardine's contribution are pretty standard Lincoln biography: he begins with the relationship of Lincoln the frontiersman to Lincoln the politician; ambition and self-reliance were personal values that he transferred on to his vision of America as a nation. While this angle has been covered before, as with his section on Lincoln's religion, (particularly in Allen C. Guelzo's book), Carwardine's treatment is less poetic, more authoritative than Guelzo's. Likewise, his focus on the political Lincoln (the main thrust of his book) seemed too familiar to me after finishing Doris Kearns Goodwin's book.
Carwardine's real contribution is synthesis. All these strains are molded into one fairly compact volume, if not quite well-organized. Lincoln and politics takes center stage for much of the first half. There is an unexpected shift to Lincoln and religion that appears in the middle and reappears towards the end. The subtopics that Carwardine lays out in his preface remain inchoate. The conclusion is an awkward though accurate analysis of Lincoln's post-death impact and legacy.
This reads less like a single book and more like a loosely-connected collection of drafts. Carwardine has a rare-enough ability to compress and distill information but I think it works against him here. The information is solid but the pieces they are broken up into don't quite fit.
December 21, 2017
I am giving this 3.5 stars for one reason: Carwardine pretends to be Lincoln's inner conscience. "Why do you think this?", you may ask. "Carwardine is a fantastic researcher and this was a solid piece of work."
I admit, it was. And I enjoyed the read. I can say I left knowing Lincoln better than my own self.
But I can't say I enjoyed his apple pie views on Lincoln's Christianity—flaky and overcooked.
Carwardine believes Lincoln was just as much a skeptic as he was a pious atheist, and then promptly finds other information that suggests that while he may be a Christian, he most certainly wasn't an evangelical. As I read this, I tossed back and forth like a grape tomato in a salad. "What was Lincoln?" I screamed deeply into the night (as I was writing a massive paper about Lincoln's views on religion). I was met with silence and more confusing postulations. Obviously I qualified the argument poised to me, but at least Carwardine could've been more fluid on Lincoln's religious stances. As Lincoln stated, "A house divided against itself cannot stand," and boy, I felt the house was divided.
Other that that, great research. Carwardine knows his stuff.
I admit, it was. And I enjoyed the read. I can say I left knowing Lincoln better than my own self.
But I can't say I enjoyed his apple pie views on Lincoln's Christianity—flaky and overcooked.
Carwardine believes Lincoln was just as much a skeptic as he was a pious atheist, and then promptly finds other information that suggests that while he may be a Christian, he most certainly wasn't an evangelical. As I read this, I tossed back and forth like a grape tomato in a salad. "What was Lincoln?" I screamed deeply into the night (as I was writing a massive paper about Lincoln's views on religion). I was met with silence and more confusing postulations. Obviously I qualified the argument poised to me, but at least Carwardine could've been more fluid on Lincoln's religious stances. As Lincoln stated, "A house divided against itself cannot stand," and boy, I felt the house was divided.
Other that that, great research. Carwardine knows his stuff.
November 26, 2012
This book was a pleasure for me to read on many different levels. Richard Carwardine was the professor who encouraged me to study American History at University. This book brought back happy memories of his carefully crafted lectures in which he would combine his extensive knowledge of history with a masterful storytelling technique and a wry sense of humor. All of which is evident in this book.
As an undergraduate I only wrote two first class essays and one of them focused on comparing Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis as war time leaders. In researching my essay I found both men were religious men, who spent many a night during the Civil War soul searching, but ultimately it was Lincoln's ability to consult and work with others that led to the Union's victory. In this book Dr. Carwardine examines how religious movements of the time influenced Lincoln's thoughts , but that ultimately Lincoln's wrestle with his own beliefs shaped his character. Dr. Carwardine describes how Lincoln's conviction that slavery must end interwoven with his adeptness for connecting with the populace made Lincoln a very successful politician. It is however his rhetoric on freedom and human rights that we revere Lincoln for.
This book is a dense and complex read, and without doubt it is helpful to have some background knowledge on Lincoln and the Civil War before reading it. The book includes copies of many annotated photographs and lithographs from Lincoln's lifetime which are helpful for understanding both the politics of the time and politics today. An extensive bibliography (some things never change) is helpful for those who wish to learn more.
December 16, 2013
During Lincoln’s time, the southern states were in a political war with the northern states. This escalated to such a bad degree that the civil war was inevitable. When Lincoln was elected as president, the first states started to secede followed by the rest of the south. The north had won the war and this had led up to Lincoln’s death, where the book had ended.
Richard Carwardine has writing style which is not the easiest to read. It is all informational story telling. The language is a bit difficult and the information can be a bit boring at times. Carwardine also uses primary sources which can be a bit of a help and hindrance to the overall book. It helps in the historical accuracy of the of the book but it hinders your overall experience due to the difficult language and the boring subjects used. The author used strait factual information due to his profession as a American history professor and his research as his method for writhing.
People who like to read book about historical figures and their lives will enjoy this book. It doesn’t have a complicated story line to it but it is tough due to the factual information used and the historical writing style.
Richard Carwardine has writing style which is not the easiest to read. It is all informational story telling. The language is a bit difficult and the information can be a bit boring at times. Carwardine also uses primary sources which can be a bit of a help and hindrance to the overall book. It helps in the historical accuracy of the of the book but it hinders your overall experience due to the difficult language and the boring subjects used. The author used strait factual information due to his profession as a American history professor and his research as his method for writhing.
People who like to read book about historical figures and their lives will enjoy this book. It doesn’t have a complicated story line to it but it is tough due to the factual information used and the historical writing style.
July 23, 2021
This is more of a political biography of Lincoln than a standard one. His early life is covered in the first 45 pages. The remainder of the book focuses on his final ten years and the political and philosophical changes and shifts that took place in his thinking and his actions as President. Like Team of Rivals, this book examines how Lincoln used power and politics to achieve his aims. But this volume delves deeper into the religious and spiritual side of Lincoln's life and how that impacted his leadership. As the title suggests, the author explores not only Lincoln's use of power, but also his sense of purpose; the development of the strong belief that he had been placed in a position of power for a specific purpose which Providence had in mind for him. "Convinced that the Union both should and could be saved, and sure that slavery's days were numbered, Lincoln seized his historical moment as the instrument of a providential purpose." (pg. 314) This understanding of Lincoln's thought is both inspiring and insightful. The author is British, and as such seems to provide more objectivity in examining Lincoln and American history during this era than other biographers and historians. While one may want to go elsewhere for a more in-depth look into Lincoln's first 40 years, this book is one of the best I've come across in reaching for an understanding of Lincoln the politician, the emancipator, the Unionist, the President, and if not the Christian, at least the spiritual man.
April 20, 2025
Someone said this book is “fact based”, and I find that description apt. It reads like a lot of facts strung together – I never felt “into it”. Historical episodes I wanted more of, like the Lincoln-Douglas debates, were passed over too lightly, with very spare descriptions of the facts and an absence of any sense of drama or import.
I did appreciate the focus of the book though – as the subtitle goes, “A Life of Purpose and Power.” Accordingly, the author eschews any rehashing of topics extraneous to these themes. Mercifully, then, there is next to nothing about his early life, death of his sister, death of his mother, relationship with father, abortive love affairs, depression about all of these, sharing living quarters with J. Speed, and on and on. I was not looking forward to any of that, and I didn’t get it.
Being happy with what I did not get, I took oddly little away from my reading experience. I am skeptical about the uniformity with which Carwardine ascribes inscrutable purpose to Lincoln – whether it were the timing of his firing of McLellan or the timing of the Emancipation Proclamation or many other things. Both of those mentioned timings were perfect, of course – and from our perch a century and a half out, we can see their perfection. Carwardine tends to give you some facts, and then assert that those facts demonstrate his theme of Lincoln being purposeful. I didn’t always see that. The facts themselves are written in a style of endless preamble – always sounded like a summary of things to be better described later.
I did appreciate the focus of the book though – as the subtitle goes, “A Life of Purpose and Power.” Accordingly, the author eschews any rehashing of topics extraneous to these themes. Mercifully, then, there is next to nothing about his early life, death of his sister, death of his mother, relationship with father, abortive love affairs, depression about all of these, sharing living quarters with J. Speed, and on and on. I was not looking forward to any of that, and I didn’t get it.
Being happy with what I did not get, I took oddly little away from my reading experience. I am skeptical about the uniformity with which Carwardine ascribes inscrutable purpose to Lincoln – whether it were the timing of his firing of McLellan or the timing of the Emancipation Proclamation or many other things. Both of those mentioned timings were perfect, of course – and from our perch a century and a half out, we can see their perfection. Carwardine tends to give you some facts, and then assert that those facts demonstrate his theme of Lincoln being purposeful. I didn’t always see that. The facts themselves are written in a style of endless preamble – always sounded like a summary of things to be better described later.
October 5, 2019
In reading through the reviews, I am struck by how many reviewers missed the mark. Not all titles capture the essence of a book, but this one does. This is not a biography of Lincoln, as much as it is an analysis of Lincoln’s use of power and his expression of purpose through such use. This is no simple biography and the reader who wishes to surface-read will be disappointed. The book is academic in tone and invites the reader to a depth of analysis that will seem tedious to some and exhilarating to others. I found it to be the later! The analysis of Lincoln’s understanding and embracement of power is is very impressive, but what really cements the book as a five-star publication in my view is the author’s elegant writing style. It is pleasing to the ear and makes a solid scholarly work a pleasure to read.
May 1, 2024
I read lots of biographies. This one was superior to most. It is not just a long string of historical accurate facts but a running interpretation of Lincoln, his times, and his behavior in those times. For example, I knew that Lincoln enjoyed Shakespeare very much. The playwriter's works were widely available and his plays were often performed. This may be the first book to talk about which plays were his favorites (Hamlet, King Lear, the Histories) but why (he could sympathize with the burdens born by the protagonists and see the consequences usurpers and seekers of power suffered (Macbeth & Richard III).
April 1, 2020
It definitely felt more like a history book than a biography, which was disappointing. However, I still enjoyed it UNTIL... the author legitimately compares Lincoln to JESUS CHRIST! For real... and he even says something along the line of, Lincoln should be honored and memorialized, he should be right next to the cross. I’m sorry, but SAY WHAT? Just because Lincoln was shot and killed on Black Friday does NOT mean he is comparable to THE SON OF GOD! That last chapter ruined it all for me bc... blasphemy!
November 28, 2022
What could possibly be new to say about Abraham Lincoln, the phenomenally biographed 16th president of the United States?
Well. As it turns out, this political biography had much new to say to this civil war buff.
Starting with Lincoln's Springfield law practice and local political organizing, Lincoln: A Life of Purpose and Power leaves all the well-worn military and confederate history largely to one side, in favor of a focus on the man as politician.
Recommended.
Well. As it turns out, this political biography had much new to say to this civil war buff.
Starting with Lincoln's Springfield law practice and local political organizing, Lincoln: A Life of Purpose and Power leaves all the well-worn military and confederate history largely to one side, in favor of a focus on the man as politician.
Recommended.
August 29, 2022
If you haven’t read much about Lincoln this isn’t a great place to start. This book focuses solely on his political career and glosses over his personal life and the rest of concurrent American history. That said, it is a fascinating deep dive into Lincoln’s short career as a senator and tumultuous years as a president.
September 5, 2017
Politics
This an excellent book about Lincoln's life, times,beliefs. Wand the Civil War. For some reason, this author spends a great deal of energy trying to. prove he was religious. Lincoln himself said he was not religious, and I do not know why that cannot be accepted.
This an excellent book about Lincoln's life, times,beliefs. Wand the Civil War. For some reason, this author spends a great deal of energy trying to. prove he was religious. Lincoln himself said he was not religious, and I do not know why that cannot be accepted.
January 4, 2021
Audio book for Kindle. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
The best authority on Abraham Lincoln, this book includes stories from his childhood, political career, and his presidency. Throughout, are bits from his wonderful public speeches.
The best authority on Abraham Lincoln, this book includes stories from his childhood, political career, and his presidency. Throughout, are bits from his wonderful public speeches.
October 19, 2024
Incredibly well researched and in depth look at Lincoln. Can be a bit slow and difficult to read, but the author is clearly very knowledgeable about the subject. If you’re looking for something more challenging give it a try.
August 5, 2012
Lincoln: A Life of Purpose and Power, written by Richard Carwardine, is a political biography which explores the foundations of Abraham Lincoln’s power and authority during his ascent from inexperienced commoner to president of the United States. Carwardine states early on that the three bases of Lincoln’s power were his personal ambition, the ability to gauge public opinion, and the use of party communications and political networks. These three bases are detailed throughout the chronologically-ordered seven chapters of honest Abe’s political career, from his start as a lawyer, to Congressman, and finally, President of the United States of America.
Lincoln escaped a strict Calvinist household at a fairly young age, although his religious upbringing would have a great impact on his later life, particularly in government. He quickly worked his way up the political ladder with next to nothing—a fact that Carwardine seems to reiterate throughout the book. When he was first elected, he had to borrow money from a friend to purchase his first suit (9). Lincoln’s life is painted as the story of the “American Dream,” a “pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps” type of story. It is easy to understand, then, why Lincoln envisioned a meritocracy for the people of the United States. Although, for someone so ambitious, it is difficult to see why Lincoln would take a more reactive, hands-off approach to government; however, he was well aware of the tumultuous times in which they were living. He often stated that his policy was “to have no policy” (200). Deep down he knew that the South was far too entrenched in the evil forces of slavery to take any drastic actions; and thus, he committed himself to the perseverance and maintenance of the nation whilst monitoring public sentiment—actions which enabled him to carefully and gradually address the issue of slavery.
While Lincoln had no previous political experience or formal qualifications, he was blessed with plenty of self-confidence and excellent public speaking skills, both which aided in promoting a pragmatic, simplistic approach to governmental affairs. He coined himself “the attorney of the people” (197)—a fitting term for one who consistently reviewed and analyzed the hearts and minds of his people, going so far as to read a percentage of letters from common citizens and arrange somewhere around two-thousand face-to-face meetings with soldiers. Lincoln was essentially a product of his time and his people, and his practical thinking appealed to voters in a period of unrest and despair. However, despite what appears to be a relaxed approach to policy, Lincoln was never afraid to push the boundaries of his power, particularly when he exercised his executive powers to suspend the writ of habeas corpus in order to protect the reputation of his military—an act that would result in upholding the morale of the soldiers as well as the American public.
In garnering support against slavery, Lincoln used the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution in order to convey to the American people the true and original foundations of our nation, namely liberty and equality, arguing that these values were in direct opposition to the institution of slavery. In addition, he utilized the products of religion to make arguments against slavery, using scripture from the book of Genesis to illustrate his point that, “if humans are created in the image of God, then the ‘justice of the Creator’ had to be extended equally to ‘all his creatures to the whole great family of man’” (40). This use of religion proved to aid in Lincoln’s success, as he had lost a nomination for Congress by the Whigs in an 1843 campaign due to a loss of support from religious groups, as he was known to not attend church—a lesson remembered during his campaign in 1864.
What are we to make of a man who exemplified such simplicity and practicality? For Carwardine, there is no man behind the myth, as the cultural icon is akin to the literal man. Carwardine makes it more than apparent that Abraham Lincoln fully understood the times in which he operated and the people with whom he worked for and with in order to better the nation, and describes him with much endearment by noting that “his course as President was shaped not by impulsive, self-aggrandizing action or self-righteousness, but by deep thought, breadth of vision, careful concern for consequences, and a remarkable lack of pride” (321). He also understood that nothing but failure waited on the other side of impatience—he would not succeed in his endeavors if he went headfirst against the current. Waiting, watching, reviewing, and analyzing were the name of the game. When speaking in regards to the issue of slavery, Lincoln once stated: “Grant that [the colored man] desires the elective franchise, will he not attain it sooner by saving the already advanced steps toward it? Concede that the new government of Louisiana is only to what it should be as the egg is to the fowl, we shall sooner have the fowl by hatching the egg than by smashing it” (242)? We should only be so lucky to have honest Abe present to caudle the egg.
Lincoln escaped a strict Calvinist household at a fairly young age, although his religious upbringing would have a great impact on his later life, particularly in government. He quickly worked his way up the political ladder with next to nothing—a fact that Carwardine seems to reiterate throughout the book. When he was first elected, he had to borrow money from a friend to purchase his first suit (9). Lincoln’s life is painted as the story of the “American Dream,” a “pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps” type of story. It is easy to understand, then, why Lincoln envisioned a meritocracy for the people of the United States. Although, for someone so ambitious, it is difficult to see why Lincoln would take a more reactive, hands-off approach to government; however, he was well aware of the tumultuous times in which they were living. He often stated that his policy was “to have no policy” (200). Deep down he knew that the South was far too entrenched in the evil forces of slavery to take any drastic actions; and thus, he committed himself to the perseverance and maintenance of the nation whilst monitoring public sentiment—actions which enabled him to carefully and gradually address the issue of slavery.
While Lincoln had no previous political experience or formal qualifications, he was blessed with plenty of self-confidence and excellent public speaking skills, both which aided in promoting a pragmatic, simplistic approach to governmental affairs. He coined himself “the attorney of the people” (197)—a fitting term for one who consistently reviewed and analyzed the hearts and minds of his people, going so far as to read a percentage of letters from common citizens and arrange somewhere around two-thousand face-to-face meetings with soldiers. Lincoln was essentially a product of his time and his people, and his practical thinking appealed to voters in a period of unrest and despair. However, despite what appears to be a relaxed approach to policy, Lincoln was never afraid to push the boundaries of his power, particularly when he exercised his executive powers to suspend the writ of habeas corpus in order to protect the reputation of his military—an act that would result in upholding the morale of the soldiers as well as the American public.
In garnering support against slavery, Lincoln used the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution in order to convey to the American people the true and original foundations of our nation, namely liberty and equality, arguing that these values were in direct opposition to the institution of slavery. In addition, he utilized the products of religion to make arguments against slavery, using scripture from the book of Genesis to illustrate his point that, “if humans are created in the image of God, then the ‘justice of the Creator’ had to be extended equally to ‘all his creatures to the whole great family of man’” (40). This use of religion proved to aid in Lincoln’s success, as he had lost a nomination for Congress by the Whigs in an 1843 campaign due to a loss of support from religious groups, as he was known to not attend church—a lesson remembered during his campaign in 1864.
What are we to make of a man who exemplified such simplicity and practicality? For Carwardine, there is no man behind the myth, as the cultural icon is akin to the literal man. Carwardine makes it more than apparent that Abraham Lincoln fully understood the times in which he operated and the people with whom he worked for and with in order to better the nation, and describes him with much endearment by noting that “his course as President was shaped not by impulsive, self-aggrandizing action or self-righteousness, but by deep thought, breadth of vision, careful concern for consequences, and a remarkable lack of pride” (321). He also understood that nothing but failure waited on the other side of impatience—he would not succeed in his endeavors if he went headfirst against the current. Waiting, watching, reviewing, and analyzing were the name of the game. When speaking in regards to the issue of slavery, Lincoln once stated: “Grant that [the colored man] desires the elective franchise, will he not attain it sooner by saving the already advanced steps toward it? Concede that the new government of Louisiana is only to what it should be as the egg is to the fowl, we shall sooner have the fowl by hatching the egg than by smashing it” (242)? We should only be so lucky to have honest Abe present to caudle the egg.
May 16, 2018
GREAT READ!
October 7, 2018
Read with the Lincoln Group of DC book study group. Longer review to follow.
May 30, 2019
i had to stop after the first disc. The narrator kept fluctuating his voice so much that I was constantly having to adjust the volume. too frustrating. i'll try another lincoln book.
January 21, 2020
Excellent description of the early GOP and the skill Lincoln showed in getting the nomination in 1860. This book really looked at the political and moral environment of the antebellum and war years.
January 28, 2023
The author talked at my library and he was fascinating.
March 22, 2025
I think it’s too much to bite off to cover all of Lincoln in one book. This format gives insufficient attention to significant events.
July 21, 2020
An excellent political biography of Lincoln that focuses on his development as a Whig in central Illinois, his movement into the new Republican party in the 1850s due to the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and his efforts to keep the diverse new party together whether in late 1850s Illinois or in the White House. It covers other events in his life mainly in passing, but shows Lincoln as a principled and canny political realist, wedded firmly to the Declaration and Constitution and the party's to which he publically committed himself. As a Whig he fought for government support of internal improvements, including roads and canals, as well as a state and federal bank. As a Republican leader he worked to keep the coalition of conservative former Whigs, anti-slavery Democrats (meaning those unwilling to see slavery's expansion), Free-soilers, Know-Nothings, and radical abolitionists, together. Carwardine knows the political landscapes and analyzes Lincoln's speeches and correspondence with care whether Lincoln is in Illinois or is a national figure. The sections on the Lincoln-Douglas debates and on Lincoln's nomination for the presidency were particularly excellent.
Carwardine also draws in the religious connection to Lincoln and politics, as is appropriate from a historian who has written about both revivalism and the connection between religion and politics in antebellum America. Lincoln has been claimed by many religious groups in history, but he never formerly joined any church. The Calvinist fatalism of his hard-shell Baptist upbring followed him throughout his life and only became more overt during the grimmer days of his presidency. Carwardine is more interested in Lincoln's interaction with evangelicals (the largest group of Protestants and the ones who will move wholesale into the Republican party), whether the organization building descendants of Yankees or the frontier revivalists. In the past those two groups might have broken between Whigs and Democrats, but the slavery issue (among many - there was not uniformity in this group) led most of them into the Republican party. Lincoln needed their support and got it, even if it meant having to deal with many visits from ministerial parties during the Civil War.
Carwardine's coverage of the war is topical, especially focusing on slavery and African-Americans and on the use of power, persuasion and coercion. Other books will cover the military history, this attempts to show the ups and downs of political life. Carwardine obviously likes Lincoln and works to put his decisions into historical context. Constrained by his own attitudes and a knowledge of Northern racism, Lincoln moved gradually away from colonization schemes and towards full emancipation for slaves. Still, to maintain border states in the Union and convince southern unionists of his intents, he initially constrained military attempts at immediate emancipation and tried to convince border states to accept compensated emancipation. Later in the war, with the border states more firmly in the Union, he moved deliberately to offer emancipation as a war aim.
The last chapter deals with Lincoln's use of power. It covers complaints of abuse of power during war, but is also about Lincoln's use of party politics and personal appeals in letters, newspapers, and visits to keep the North together during the war. I have always thought Lincoln the greatest American president and this book only reinforced that view. Certainly not hagiography, it shows Lincoln's political acumen and his understanding of the public he felt called to serve. An excellent and deep book.
Carwardine also draws in the religious connection to Lincoln and politics, as is appropriate from a historian who has written about both revivalism and the connection between religion and politics in antebellum America. Lincoln has been claimed by many religious groups in history, but he never formerly joined any church. The Calvinist fatalism of his hard-shell Baptist upbring followed him throughout his life and only became more overt during the grimmer days of his presidency. Carwardine is more interested in Lincoln's interaction with evangelicals (the largest group of Protestants and the ones who will move wholesale into the Republican party), whether the organization building descendants of Yankees or the frontier revivalists. In the past those two groups might have broken between Whigs and Democrats, but the slavery issue (among many - there was not uniformity in this group) led most of them into the Republican party. Lincoln needed their support and got it, even if it meant having to deal with many visits from ministerial parties during the Civil War.
Carwardine's coverage of the war is topical, especially focusing on slavery and African-Americans and on the use of power, persuasion and coercion. Other books will cover the military history, this attempts to show the ups and downs of political life. Carwardine obviously likes Lincoln and works to put his decisions into historical context. Constrained by his own attitudes and a knowledge of Northern racism, Lincoln moved gradually away from colonization schemes and towards full emancipation for slaves. Still, to maintain border states in the Union and convince southern unionists of his intents, he initially constrained military attempts at immediate emancipation and tried to convince border states to accept compensated emancipation. Later in the war, with the border states more firmly in the Union, he moved deliberately to offer emancipation as a war aim.
The last chapter deals with Lincoln's use of power. It covers complaints of abuse of power during war, but is also about Lincoln's use of party politics and personal appeals in letters, newspapers, and visits to keep the North together during the war. I have always thought Lincoln the greatest American president and this book only reinforced that view. Certainly not hagiography, it shows Lincoln's political acumen and his understanding of the public he felt called to serve. An excellent and deep book.
September 25, 2016
I liked this book at first, but by the last half or third I was ready for it to be over. I had other audio books that I wanted to begin listening to that sounded more promising, but I stuck it out through the end of this one.
March 15, 2023
I finished reading Richard Carwardine's Lincoln: A Life of Purpose and Power, a solid 4-star biography. While the facts of Lincoln’s personal and political are not dramatically altered, the lens by which Lincoln is viewed is interesting. Lincoln's journey is highlighted by his use of an immature and developing Republican Party structure, which during Lincoln's political career consisted of a variety of disparate groups often at odds with each other from abolitionists, to Evangelical Protestants, nativist groups such as the know nothings, anti-slavery democrats, former Whigs, immigrants.
Lincoln had an early political career as a representative in the Illinois State House, followed by one term as U.S. Congressman and a losing bid for the U.S. Senate highlighted by his debates with Democrat Stephen A. Douglas.
He had a lifelong transition in his feelings towards slavery highlighted by his support of the Wilmot Proviso to exclude territory acquired by The Mexican American War, his Cooper Union Speech, his stand against the Kansas Nebraska Act, his continuing evolution while President culminating in the initial Emancipation Proclamation and final Proclamation, and the platform for his reelection calling for an Amendment Abolishing Slavery.
Lincoln was a master political strategist who never lost his connection to the common man who used his early political stumping and traveling the circuit as a lawyer. His reading of numerous newspapers while in office, meeting with soldiers, and meeting with clergymen of various denominations.
It was Lincoln's political savvy, his touch with the common man, and masterful use of the Republican political machine to get elected, reelected, and his political agenda passed. He used an increasing political power and centralization of executive powers brought in by the Civil War expertly, but not with capriciousness.
A novel approach most like David Reynolds recent biography Abe: Abraham Lincoln in His Times. An excellent biography which I heartily endorse for those interested in a interesting biography on Lincoln.
Lincoln had an early political career as a representative in the Illinois State House, followed by one term as U.S. Congressman and a losing bid for the U.S. Senate highlighted by his debates with Democrat Stephen A. Douglas.
He had a lifelong transition in his feelings towards slavery highlighted by his support of the Wilmot Proviso to exclude territory acquired by The Mexican American War, his Cooper Union Speech, his stand against the Kansas Nebraska Act, his continuing evolution while President culminating in the initial Emancipation Proclamation and final Proclamation, and the platform for his reelection calling for an Amendment Abolishing Slavery.
Lincoln was a master political strategist who never lost his connection to the common man who used his early political stumping and traveling the circuit as a lawyer. His reading of numerous newspapers while in office, meeting with soldiers, and meeting with clergymen of various denominations.
It was Lincoln's political savvy, his touch with the common man, and masterful use of the Republican political machine to get elected, reelected, and his political agenda passed. He used an increasing political power and centralization of executive powers brought in by the Civil War expertly, but not with capriciousness.
A novel approach most like David Reynolds recent biography Abe: Abraham Lincoln in His Times. An excellent biography which I heartily endorse for those interested in a interesting biography on Lincoln.
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