Abraham Lincoln

The American Presidents #16

by George S. McGovern, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. (Editor), Sean Wilentz (Editor)

America's greatest president, who rose to power in the country's greatest hour of need and whose vision saw the United States through the Civil War

Abraham Lincoln towers above the others who have held the office of president--the icon of greatness, the pillar of strength whose words bound up the nation's wounds. His presidency is the hinge on which American history pivots, the time when the young republic collapsed of its own contradictions and a new birth of freedom, sanctified by blood, created the United States we know today. His story has been told many times, but never by a man who himself sought the office of president and contemplated the awesome responsibilities that come with it.

George S. McGovern--a Midwesterner, former U.S. senator, presidential candidate, veteran, and historian by training--offers his unique insight into our sixteenth president. He shows how Lincoln sometimes went astray, particularly in his restrictions on civil liberties, but also how he adjusted his sights and transformed the Civil War from a political dispute to a moral crusade. McGovern's account reminds us why we hold Lincoln in such esteem and why he remains the standard by which all of his successors are measured.

Genres: History, Biography, Presidents, Nonfiction, Civil War, Us Presidents, Politics

208 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2003

About the author

The son of a Methodist minister, George Stanley McGovern grew up in South Dakota. An indifferent student as a youth, McGovern later credited participation in high school debate with giving him confidence and he graduated in the top 10% of his high school class. His college education was interrupted by World War II, as McGovern enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force and served as a bomber pilot in Europe. After the war, McGovern resumed his studies, culminating in a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern University in 1953.

While employed as a professor of history and political science at Dakota Wesleyan University, McGovern became involved in Democratic Party politics. After working to build a voter list for the party, McGovern ran for the House of Representatives in 1956, successfully defeating the Republican incumbent. McGovern relinquished his House seat in 1960 to run for the Senate, only to be defeated by the incumbent Republican senator, Karl Mundt. After a brief period in the Kennedy administration, McGovern ran for the United States Senate succeeded in his second attempt in 1962, winning election by a slim margin.

As a United States Senator, McGovern emerged as an early opponent of his country's intervention in South Vietnam. Approached by opponents of President Lyndon Johnson within the party, he was an unsuccessful candidate for the party's presidential nomination in 1968. Running again in 1972, he succeeded in winning the Democratic Party presidential nomination, only to be defeated by Republican President Richard Nixon in a landslide. Though he won a third Senate term in 1974, he was defeated in his bid for a fourth term in 1980. McGovern spent his later years engaged in a variety of private activities, including writing, and a stint as a United States ambassador to the United Nations.

Reviews

[Bill Kerwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be the best book in the Times Books’ American Presidents Series, and surprisingly it was written by a politician, presidential candidate George McGovern.

I say “surprisingly” because politicians aren’t usually remembered for their literary achievements. Even their ghost-written works—with the exception of Sorensen’s Profiles in Courage—gained few rewards and fewer readers. Only about 10% of our presidents have been gifted writers (Jefferson, Madison, Lincoln. Grant), and I doubt if our long list of losing candidates could offer a greater percentage of literary skill. Still, George McGovern’s Abraham Lincoln beats the odds. It is a well-written and moving book.

Perhaps Senator McGovern’s literary accomplishment shouldn’t be all that surprising. After he returned from World War II (bomber pilot, 35 missions, winner of the Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross), he took advantage of the G.I. Bill to earn a doctorate in history from Northwestern. His 450 page dissertation on the 1913 Colorado Coal Strike was later published as The Great Coalfield War, and since then then he has produced approximately a dozen books, both alone and in collaboration.

McGovern was eighty-six years old in 2008, when he completed Abraham Lincoln. Only four years of life remained to him, and I like to think of this book as a twilight meditation, the reevaluation of the Great Emancipator by a lifelong admirer who saw the great man’s flaws yet thoroughly appreciated his strengths.

He shows us a Lincoln filled with contradictions: an amiable jokester who suffered from melancholy; a lover of justice who suspended habeas corpus; a lover of freedom who censored the press; an idealistic statesman and a shrewd political manipulator; a compassionate pardoner of soldiers and a cold-blooded commander-in-chief.

Faced with the task of presenting such a large subject in within the confines of a short biography, McGovern chose the option of organizing Lincoln’s presidency into thematic chapters which are also vaguely chronological: “Lincoln and the Union,” “Lincoln and Emancipation,” “Lincoln and Total War,” and “Politics in Wartime.” This structure allows the reader to sense the progress of the war and yet concentrate on one subject at a time.

The Chapter “Victory and Death” I found to be particularly moving. As I read of Lincoln’s last meeting with Sherman and Grant, his visit to the captured Confederate capital of Charleston, I suddenly realized that I was weeping. Of course, I knew Ford’s Theater could not be far behind, but I think I not only wept for the America of 1865 and for the soon-to-be assassinated president, but I also wept for the America of 2018. I wept for my America too.

How America hungers for someone like Lincoln: his humanity, his compassion, the force of his steady guiding hand!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once upon a time, while driving to Chicago to meet some Goodreaders in the real-life, honest-to-goodness, corporeal flesh for the very first time, I happened upon Diane Rehm's interview with George McGovern on NPR (regarding this, his slender biography of Abraham Lincoln). As you might well imagine, any exchange of ideas between Rehm and octogenarian McGovern was destined for the lowest form of comedy -- not with respect to the content, of course, but in that the encounter sounded roughly like Jimmy Stewart (of the canine poetry writing era) being questioned by the Crypt Keeper's bride. Had the pacing of their speech been accelerated to normal levels and the haltingness been goosed into urgency, the half-hour interview may have lasted all of four-and-a-half minutes. But on the bright side, it was a dialogue invested with... ... ... suspense. (Would Rehm, in other words, ever arrive at the end of her sentence, or would her participial phrase drift off into the infinite wilderness of nothingness?)

That's awfully mean-spirited, I know, especially considering that McGovern is old and Rehm has some kind of 'problem,' but please trust that my meanness is considerably less mean than it appears in your rear-view mirror. Why? Because it is couched in the warmest of affection. After all, McGovern is and was a die-hard lefty (after my own heart), and Rehm reminds me of my grandmother. Not that either of my grandmothers spoke like that (or were as liberal as Rehm, to be sure), but Rehm is the idealized, hypothetical third grandmother, tossing softball, mutual-admiration-society questions to her like-minded libby guests. (Question: Why didn't my grandmother have a radio show? Answer: She was too busy making kifli.)

Have I digressed far enough? Is it time to reel this baby back in?

The point is that hearing this interview made me want to read McGovern's book, so I stored it away in my mental filing system -- which is already hopelessly cluttered with porn site passwords and Brady Bunch trivia -- and I finally retrieved it now that I am embarking upon my American presidents reading project.

This is the second book in that project (the first being Roy Jenkins' execrable Franklin Delano Roosevelt from the same New York Times-published presidential biography series as this one), and it is a dramatic improvement in writing ability. I know that some will accuse McGovern of being a tad too worshipful, but this is a mistake. Abraham Lincoln, despite his faults, is the very best that the executive branch of the U.S. government could ever hope for, and McGovern does not let Lincoln completely off the hook. He certainly addresses (and problematizes) Lincoln's suspension of habeas corpus during the Civil War, his censorship of the press, and his exceptional use of wartime powers, but this does little to diminish the overall portrait of Lincoln, a man whose perseverance, intellect, and (yes) wisdom ensured that the U.S. would survive its most difficult challenge thus far (and, it is hoped, for all time).

All in all, McGovern's style is generally elegant and very approachable for a general readership. Meanwhile, I desperately want to bitch-slap those GR reviewers who (idiotically) criticize these Times presidential series books because of their brevity and their alleged superficiality. Any halfway intelligent person who picks up a hundred-fifty-page book on Lincoln will understand that it is intended to be a brief overview, addressing the highlights (and lowlights) of the presidency, and not a thorough-going treatment of the man and his times. Consider these books a sample, or a tasting -- designed either to lure you into reading more (McGovern suggests several other in-depth books, including Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin) or into concluding that you know enough, or as much as you want to.

This book, I must confess, refortified my admittedly problematic contempt of the American South. I am not sure how there is any defensible rationale for 'celebrating' the Confederate legacy, as so many southerners still, even to this 'enlightened' day, believe is appropriate. They attempt to obscure the essential meaning of the war by clutching for slogans, flimsy rationalizations, and other red herrings. How about the 'War of Northern Aggression,' for example? Or a mitigated defense of the Confederate South on the basis that the Civil War was a (continuing) struggle for states rights and an attack on the Southern way of life? Yes, but the states right in question, let's never forget, was the right to maintain the legality of slavery (which was not even threatened at the time). And also... on the basis of a disagreement with the federal government, the South decided to divorce itself from the offending government -- not a terribly smart precedent to set for its own fledgling Southern 'government.' What basis is there for any government of any kind when the dissenters are free to fragment and to revolt at any cause? In short, the South favored backwoods regionalism and a repudiation of the spirit of the Declaration of Independence to a unified, stable, federal maintenance of law, order, and civil rights. That doesn't win the South any points on my scorecard, any way you skew the numbers. Anyway, we all know that states rights are often just a legal smokescreen for backwards states to curtail civil rights. To anyone who cites gay marriage as a counterpoint (i.e., some states are using states rights progressively, to allow gay marriage in advance of the consensus of public opinion), I would still argue, holding fast to my embarrassing idealism, that the spirit of this nation and its founding promises equal rights to everyone, even the smallest minority, so therefore the federal government should maintain and enforce these rights -- even against the mob's opinion -- and kick the ass, proverbially, of any state which drags its feet and presumes to ensconce its regional, folksy bigotry as a higher value than our rights as Americans, or what should be our rights anyway.

[robin friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abraham Lincoln In The American Presidents Series

I am writing this review of George McGovern's new short biography of Abraham Lincoln on the eve of the upcoming (2009) presidential inauguration. At this time of transition and difficulty, it is fitting to consider our greatest president and the qualities he displayed in uniting and shaping our nation and in bringing about a "new birth of freedom."

McGovern's book is part of the American Presidents series of short biographies of each of our nation's presidents. The late Arthur Schlesinger Jr. was the original editor of the series, which has been carried forward by Sean Willentz. The series offers a way to consider each president, whether famous or little-known, and to reflect upon his accomplishments and on the nature of leadership. Each of the volumes in the series is written by a different scholar in the hope that the writer will bring a unique perspective to bear upon his or her subject. McGovern brings both an extensive political and academic background to his study of Lincoln. McGovern served in the Senate for eighteen years and was the unsuccessful presidential candidate against Richard Nixon in 1972. He also holds a PhD in American history and government from Northwestern University. McGovern acknowledges receiving both research and writing assistance in this book from Larry Mansch of Montana.

McGovern offers a good overview of Lincoln's life and accomplishments. Although he is critical of Lincoln for the suspension of habeas corpus during the Civil War and for other infringements of individual liberty, the tone of the book is otherwise highly laudatory. McGovern describes Lincoln as not only our greatest president but also as "certainly more than that." For McGovern, Lincoln is "an unparallelled national treasure, a legend that best represents the democratic ideal". He continues: "Every generation looks to Lincoln for strength, inspiration, and wisdom. We want to know everything about him, and we wish we could be more like him. Why do we admire him so?" In his book, McGovern tries to answer this question.

McGovern proceeds to tell the story of Lincoln's birth in humble circumstances and of his determination to overcome obstacles, including severe instances of depression, and to make his life matter. Throughout his life, Lincoln was a highly ambitious, motivated individual with a drive to succeed. He struggled through a variety of failures, recognized the value of education and personal integrity, and never gave up. More importantly, Lincoln asked difficult searching questions about morality, freedom, slavery, and government and came towards the end of his life to see a spiritual, providential element in human affairs. He acted with courage and resolve and displayed the highest leadership qualities in surmounting the military and political crises that he faced. Lincoln was also a shrewd judge of human nature, a masterful politician, and a lawyer adept at the skills of negotiation and compromise. His was a rare mixture of idealism and pragmatism that is the source, in part, of the many difficulties in interpreting his presidency. He preserved the Union, ended slavery, and put the United States on the long road towards a society in which people of different races enjoyed equality.

For a short book, McGovern gives substantial attention to Lincoln's early years up to his return to politics in 1854 following Congressional enactment of Stephen Douglas's Kansas-Nebraska Act. McGovern also describes succinctly the outbreak of the Civil War following Lincoln's election, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the change in character of the Civil War from a restrained conflict with limited goals to a near "total war". McGovern properly spends a great deal of space on Lincoln's sometimes overlooked role in securing the enactment of the 13th Amendment which banned slavery in the United States. He stresses the mixture of idealism and political cunning in Lincoln's efforts. There is an extensive discussion of the reelection campaign of 1864, in which both Lincoln's renomination by his party and his reelection were substantially in doubt. McGovern properly credits Lincoln and the country for holding a presidential election in the midst of the civil war and its turmoil.

On military matters, McGovern focuses on the siege of Petersburg at the end of the Civil War and of Lincoln's presence during its final days, culminating with his walk through an abandoned and burned Richmond. McGovern offers a cursory discussion of Lincoln and his generals, with emphasis on the relationship that developed between Lincoln and Grant. The descriptions of the military progress of the war tend to be muddled as McGovern shifts back and forth between the eastern and western theaters and frequently offers a confusing chronology.

With the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth, 2009 will see an unusually large number of books about Lincoln, both popular and scholarly. In short studies of Lincoln, McGovern's book will be compared to a new biography "Abraham Lincoln" (2009) by James McPherson. McPherson, unlike McGovern, is a lifelong scholar of the Civil War and of Lincoln. His eloquent biography consists of 70 pages of text, less than one-half the length of McGovern's book. Compared to McPherson's book, McGovern seems diffuse in places. And McGovern gets some trifling details wrong. (For example, McGovern says that Lincoln was nominated for president on the second ballot at the Republican convention of 1860. It was the third ballot.) For all that, it is a difficult choice between these two books. I wind up leaning towards McGovern because of its personal touches, greater detail, and fuller consideration of Lincoln's character and appeal.

With our nation in the midst of economic and political difficulties, it is inspiring to return to our history and to consider anew Lincoln, leadership, and American ideals. McGovern's book is a good place to start.

Robin Friedman

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brief overview of our most respected president, this volume may be slim on page count, but it still packs a punch. Written by failed candidate George McGovern, the writing is very concise and plain spoken. We learn of Lincoln's rise to greatness, his efforts to put down the Rebellion, and his untimely death. While I didn't learn much from the book, I can still appreciate good writing when I see it. Definitely worth the effort. A great summertime read.

[David Schwan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short history gives us a view of Lincoln from his days in New Salem Illinois through his days as an attorney in Springfield, his traveling on the circuit court in rural Illinois, his first experiences in politics, his election to US President, his times as Commander in Chief of the US Army during the civil war, and lastly his contribution to the passage of the 13th amendment. McGovern gives us Lincoln's every changing stance on slavery and his evolving legal view about it.

While the Republican party still claims Lincoln today--this book makes it clear that Lincoln's views were progressive, not wildly progressive, but progressive enough to put him in the same mindset as George Washington that a strong federal government was important to the US. In addition to the civil war and the 13th amendment Lincoln gave us the Transcontinental railroad, the Department of Agriculture, a series of colleges funded by the land grant act, and westward migration through homesteading. Probably America's greatest president.

[Noah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read this book after we saw the movie Lincoln (which is awesome, by the way). This short (only 150 pages) biography is dense with information, but is still easy to read. The book gives an overview of Lincoln's life, but focuses on the Civil War. Since I just finished studying this period in my US History class, most of it was review, but the narrative style is easier to follow. In addition to illustrating Lincoln's character and beliefs, McGovern effectively examines many of Lincoln's contemporaries, especially Grant. This book offers many of the same insights as Lincoln, but its comprehensive view on Lincoln's life puts the last 6 months (the time the movie looks at) into perspective. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to learn more about Lincoln or the Civil War.

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abraham Lincoln: The American President series: The 16th President, 1861-1865 by George S. McGovern is just what it ought to be -- a short but well-researched biography of one of the greatest leaders our country has ever had. Without the extensive detail of the best Lincoln scholarship, McGovern nevertheless gives us a taste of "Team of Rivals," "First Among Equals," "With Malice toward None," and many other excellent biographies and histories of the period.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abraham Lincoln is the sixteenth book in The American Presidents series – a biographical series chronicling the Presidents of the United States. George S. McGovern wrote this particular installment and edited by Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. and Sean Wilentz.

Abraham Lincoln was an American statesman, politician, and lawyer who served as the sixteenth president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. Lincoln led the nation through the American Civil War, its bloodiest war and its greatest moral, constitutional, and political crisis. He preserved the Union, abolished slavery, strengthened the federal government, and modernized the U.S. economy.

McGovern crafts a biography snappy, clear and comprehensive enough to please general readers, students and scholars alike. In eight short chapters, six of which deal with Lincoln's presidency, he nails the essential strengths, flaws, failures and achievements of America's most revered leader.

Born in a Kentucky log cabin, Lincoln was a melancholic who suffered more than his fair share of misfortune. According to McGovern, he nevertheless earned success through his ceaseless hard work, powerful intellect, and incomparable abilities as a speechwriter.

Lincoln began his political career as a member of the Whig Party. After serving in the Illinois state legislature, he won election to the U.S. Congress in 1846, but lost support by challenging President James Polk on the origins of the Mexican War and lasted only one term. The 1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act, sponsored by Democratic Senator Stephen Douglas, reinvigorated Lincoln's political ambitions.

While he believed the Constitution did not allow for abolition in the South, he staunchly opposed the westward expansion of slavery. With the Whig Party split, he joined the new Republican Party in 1856 and ran against Douglas for a Senate seat in 1858. Although he lost this race, Lincoln gained national prominence as a result of his famous debates with Douglas. Two years later, he won the 1860 presidential election, a victory that angered the South and brought about secession and war.

McGovern astutely assesses Lincoln's emergence as a commander in chief committed to total war. McGovern does not shy away from criticizing his subject, particularly for suspending habeas corpus and censoring the press. Still McGovern’s overall depiction is one of a complex, tolerant and extraordinary man who simultaneously preserved the Union and transformed the nation.

All in all, Abraham Lincoln is a wonderfully written biography of the sixteenth president and it was a rather good continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series of presidential biographies, which I plan to read in the very near future.

[Bill Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my fourth book in the American Presidents series. This one was written by a former Presidential candidate, George McGovern. These books offer a nice introduction to each of the presidents. This one was fairly well done. It took a little bit to get into it but eventually got good.

The author chose not to organize his book chronologically. It is more of a topical organization. After introducing his subject he then tackles subjects like Lincoln’s role as commander in chief, the Emancipation Proclamation, and politics during the Civil War among others. This actually works well for the limited size McGovern had to work with.

Perhaps the one issue I had with this book involves Lincoln’s suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus. In the prologue the author seems to question whether Lincoln could have or should have suspended the Writ. He never seems to concede that Lincoln had that right even though the Constitution allows for it in times of rebellion. But overall this was a very admirable job of introducing our 16th president.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Presidential biographies tend to be quite long with a lot of extra detail (or with some nuance), especially if a biographer is trying to outdo another biographer who wrote about the same president. This is series is appreciated - these biographies for all of the presidents are there to give the major highlights and lasting value from the president being profiled. This is the first one of the series I read and I expect something good from George McGovern, who was a former presidential candidate himself. This book did not disappoint. It is to the point talking about the significant points, good and bad, from Lincoln's presidency. It describes the setting of what was going on in the country at the time and how the public thought. Also important happenings in the president's earlier years which affected how he thought and his state of mind. Excellent all around - I will likely look into other biographies in this series, not necessarily of presidents who I feel favorable toward.

[Chow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of Lincoln biographies, and this one was a bit more palpable than Team of Rivals- with the quality not dropping off. This book seemed to focus on Lincoln as a writer and speaker and I came to appreciate how he used words concisely to move an idea forward in our country. He was a master with words- it took decades for the average person to see the wisdom in what he said. He spoke so carefully and well crafted.

I really liked this book and I recommend it to all other Lincoln fans.

[Floyd Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is part of the Time/Life series edited by Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. The challenge was to produce the biographies of our presidents in a limited number of pages. This book captures the essence of President Lincoln, focusing primarily on his efforts to keep the Union together, his views on slavery, and the Civil War. Former Senator McGovern did a very credible job of conveying the greatness of Lincoln. This book has given me incentive to delve further into the life of Lincoln and be reminded, again, of what presidential greatness truly is.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Credit to George McGovern for covering the life and times of The Great Emancipator in a quick but not rushed 150-odd pages (the extra thirty are notes, bibliography, etc). I don't know that I'd call this definitive, but for either somebody relatively new to Lincolnia or for somebody looking for a fresh examination of a well-told story, this will work quite well. The best of the few books of this series that I've read, but McGovern's own wit and passion for his subject help keep his take fresh and readable.

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was good but I couldn’t help but feel like something was missing. I really wanted there to be more about his personal life and who he was as a person. It felt like it was more about the events in his presidency and the civil war. But I did learn where the term hooker came from which was unexpected!

Also, it is funny that you could select spoilers for this review like spoiler alert… he died.

[Doug · Rating 2 out of 5]

if you know nothing about Lincoln, this is an adequate book. if you have read a lot about him, you will be annoyed by the speculations included in what should an entirely fact-based introduction. For example, historians debate whether Lincoln was hen-pecked by his very intelligent wife. Mr. McGovern presents this as settled fact.

[Jack Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

McGovern spends this entire book listing off Lincoln’s often deplorable morals and times when Lincoln chose an unjust path based on what he perceived to be possible or legal and still comes away with the conclusion that “Father Abraham” was an unstoppable idealist and not one of many presidents who fall victim to the illusory pragmatism

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is full of declarative sentences that possess the author’s assessment of the person whose biography is supposed to be the book’s intent. Even if one agrees with the conclusions McGovern draws about Lincoln, I found myself feeling like this was a document for patriotic indoctrination rather than a historical biography.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Certain chapters read like a politician's eulogy for a dead President, which this book is, more or less. Not the most penetrating analysis but a good distillation of other Lincoln scholarship, which is all I wanted so three stars.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Senator George McGovern wrote a very interesting book about Abraham Lincoln which gave me a new perspective and a greater appreciation of his struggles and his dedication to maintaining the Union at all costs.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series offers quick looks at our presidents, giving the reader a chance to explore the figure more deeply in other works. This particular book offered me the chance to learn more about the idea of Lincoln's "melancholia."

[Joshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

While a decent short introduction to Lincoln, but leaves out a lot. A better read, albeit longer, is "A. Lincoln" by Ronald White.

[Michael Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise but insightful.

I was in/near tears the last 20% of the book.

[Mark Luongo · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the American Presidents series, written by the late Senator George McGovern and read by William Dufris. Listened to it while I was painting the basement door!

[Danny Jr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good fly over on his life.

[Surya Lijo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vivid description of the life and political career of Abraham Lincoln. A must read.

[lilli · Rating 5 out of 5]

they simply don’t make presidents like abraham lincoln anymore

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The late American Politician George McGovern wrote the political biography of Abraham Lincoln for The American Presidents which was published in 2009. McGovern was a South Dakota Senator and the Democratic Presidential Candidate in 1972. McGovern has a Ph.D. in American government and history from Northwestern University in Illinois. Considering how many biographies of Lincoln have been written, McGovern’s book provides an excellent overview of the political life of Lincoln in only 155 pages. I read the book on my Kindle. Similar to other books in The American Presidents series, McGovern’s biography of Lincoln is short, effective, and well-researched. McGovern’s book has an introduction that introduces themes and the focus of McGovern’s biography. This book includes a Timeline. Each chapter begins with one quote which is mainly from Lincoln but also from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Edwin Stanton, and William Shakespeare. McGovern’s book has a selected bibliography. McGovern’s biography spends 43 pages on the political life of Lincoln before the election of 1860. Chapters 3 through Chapter 6 of 8 chapters break the chronological narrative of McGovern’s book to focus on specific themes from Lincoln’s first presidential term. These chapters covered Lincoln’s thinking on preserving the American Union, Lincoln’s thinking on the emancipation of enslaved people, Lincoln's role as Commander in Chief, the legislative accomplishment of Congress during Lincoln’s first term, and the presidential election of 1864 among other topics. George McGovern’s 155 pages political biography is an excellent short overview of Lincoln’s political career. On a side note, Steve of the blog, My Journey Through the Best Presidential Biographies has excellent reviews of several of The American Presidents series biographies.

[Debbie Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been my favorite book in the American Presidents' series so far. McGovern does an admirable job in presenting Lincoln. Readers will appreciate the president on a whole new level, personally and politically. In the end, I cried -- partly for Lincoln's extraordinary life and contribution to the US. This was a superbly written biography that I did not want to end.

[Zach Koenig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Up to this point in the American Presidents series, most of the books have been very enlightening and interesting to read (e.g. I'm still going). However, one flaw in many of the books is that they often get bogged down in the minute details of policy making, cabinet selections, and/or election campaigns. Not to say that those things aren't important, but (while reading this series) I want to know about each President as a politician AND a person. In that respect, this effort on Abraham Lincoln by George McGovern is easily the best of the bunch since the Washington-Adams opening salvo.

Never once in its 155 pages does McGovern let the biographical narrative stagnate or becoming boring. In a remarkable feat of writing, I feel as if I know so much more about Lincoln "the man" then I ever would have thought possible in just that short amount of time. Since very little precious space is wasted (the hallmark of this series is to keep things short and sweet), the essence of Abraham Lincoln really shines through in the hands of McGovern's capable pen.

Thus, read about our 16th President with confidence knowing that you will have a much better understanding of Mr. Lincoln's presidency and personal life when all is said and done.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lincoln biographies are in no short supply. So why do authors keep writing them and readers continue to reading them? I think Lincoln was a man of such great contrasts, so paradoxical, that it’s like gazing at something beautiful. Sometimes when I look at a woman of beauty, I can’t quite take her all in, I can’t quench my eyes, and yet I can’t quite define what it is that holds my attention. Lincoln had a similar indefinable quality. He had humble beginnings, but achieved greatness. He was brilliant, but not formally educated. He was strong, but gentle. He was simple, but complex. Determined, but not pushy. Scorned, but not scornful. Hearing his story over and over again is somehow a comfort to us and also a marvel.

McGovern, the first candidate I actively supported for president, does a decent telling of history, adding a few new tidbits I didn’t know, but mostly reviewing familiar information. In his epilogue, McGovern asks, “What can be gain from further study of Lincoln’s life and times? How does he inspire us today? In Lincoln, we see what is possible. We look to the humble circumstances of his birth, the disappointments that mark his middle years, and the unlikely rise from relative obscurity to presidential power. He struggled with his prejudices and emerged a better man. From reasoned, sober introspection, he found a strength and determination that enabled him to overcome repeated disappointment. …He asked profound questions. …He worked every day to fulfill his potential. We examine his life and we wonder what we can make of our own.” These words reached out from the pages and touched me.

McGovern also comments on something more controversial, yet true of Lincoln: “In Lincoln, we see the decency of popular government. Its role, then as now, was to elevate the condition of men; to afford all an unfetter start in the race of life.” But Lincoln said it better himself, “This is essentially a people's contest. On the side of the Union it is a struggle for maintaining in the world that form and substance of government whose leading object is to elevate the condition of men--to lift artificial weights from all shoulders, to clear the paths of laudable pursuit for all, to afford all an unfettered start and a fair chance, in the race of life. Yielding to partial and temporary departures from necessity, this is the leading object of the government for whose existence we contend.”

And now I’m ready to read my next Lincoln biography.