The Case of Abraham Lincoln: A Story of Adultery, Murder, and the Making of a Great President

by Julie M. Fenster

In 1856, Abraham Lincoln was at a difficult point, personally. Depressed, edgy, and often despondent, he had grown bored with his work as a lawyer. He saw himself as a former congressman with little future in politics. Then in May of 1856, he became drawn to the case of the gruesome murder of a blacksmith named George Anderson. Lincoln was asked to take part in the case, and he did so with zeal. The Anderson case reflected a dark world hidden within the optimism and innocence of the young Illinois city of Springfield. With the Anderson murder, Lincoln's legal skills were challenged as never before, and it became the case that defined his legal career. This book takes one from the mystery of the Anderson case, as investigated by Abraham Lincoln, to the mystery of Lincoln, as investigated by the author.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, American History, Civil War, True Crime, Historical

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Nathan Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

It should go without saying that there are a lot of books about Abraham Lincoln [1], many of which I have read and reviewed.  Perhaps some might argue that there are far too many, but I have generally found the books to be worthwhile and this book is no exception.  The author here follows a familiar approach--find something little well known or recognized about Abraham Lincoln's life that is nonetheless well-documented, pour over texts that others ignore, and create a worthwhile book that offers something new to readers.  As familiar as that approach is, it is a worthwhile one and pays off here.  The biggest issue I have with the book is its title, which would indicate to those who like reading about legal cases that Abraham Lincoln was somehow a party to the case in question rather than an advocate who was part of a superstar defense team.  The contents of this book are excellent and the author has an excellent style, but unfortunately this book suffers greatly from having an ambiguous title that would seem to put Abraham Lincoln in the middle of a sordid drama of his own, rather than one that he was a belated participant in after it had already reached sensational levels.

In a book that pays a great deal of attention to the much ignored legal career of Abraham Lincoln on the 8th circuit, the author manages to deftly weave a story of Lincoln's behavior in 1856.  Coming midway between two unsuccessful attempts at gaining a seat in the US Senate, the year is most notable in Lincoln's political history for showing him as having developed enough of a national reputation to get the second highest number of votes for Vice President at the first Republican convention.  Likewise, the year shows him becoming an indispensable figure in helping to fuse the Republican party out of its disparate elements of Northern Whigs, free-soil Democrats, and anti-slavery nativists and make it a contender in Illinois politics as well as throughout the North.  This book captures the dual track of Lincoln as a lawyer at the top of his game but frustrated by a lack of progress and aware that the legal culture is moving to a more professional and bookish model and as a frustrated political insider seemingly relegated forever to the backbenches and minor leagues.  And yet Lincoln's strong integrity and interpersonal skills are shown in both his legal and his political work in ways that would shape him in the not-so-distant future.  The author captures Lincoln towards the end of his period of obscurity and it makes for a compelling and deeply sympathetic read.

That is not to say that the book its perfect--its title is certainly a drawback, but it is a very good book that looks in chronological order over the course of about 200 pages during a decisive but often-ignored year in Lincoln's life and political maturation.  Readers of this book will get a glimpse into how Lincoln's well-tuned lawyerly mind influenced his later presidential behavior--specifically the Emancipation Proclamation--and get at least some reasonable and solid interpretations for the influence of Lincoln's career on his behavior as president, and the way that his ambition was fired in ways that were increasingly obvious to the general public at large and especially his own neighbors and rival lawyers.  Particularly noteworthy is the way that the titular sensational (and still unsolved) murder is handled by Lincoln, who defends two suspects and keeps suspicions of possible adultery from providing the necessary motive and moral outrage for a murder conviction, a clever strategy and one that befits a person of rigorous public virtue and restraint.  This is a worthy addition to the large body of works on Lincoln.

[1] See, for example:

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2010...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2010...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...

[Karen Garrett · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wish this book was about what it said it was. Touted as coverage of a murder case in which Abraham Lincoln acted as counsel, it was supposed to be about how his involvement in this trial set him on a path towards refocusing his political desires and drive towards the presidency. Instead, it was about his involvement with the burgeoning redefined Republican party (which was at first quite reluctant). The discussion of the murder case was pretty much abandoned for the entire middle section of the book. And Lincoln did not even sign on as counsel (which was again reluctantly) until the last 25 pages of the book. With all of the build up of Lincoln as the great orator, his arguments in the case are almost completely missing from the book.

Two thumbs down. This book should be billed as it really is - the refocusing of Lincoln's political career which was inspired not by a murder trial in which he had minimal involvement with the defense, but through his burgeoning passion for a new political party focused on preserving the Union during a time when the South's secession seemed imminent.

[Jrobertus · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover blurb suggests that Abe was involved in a sensational murder case, and indeed this is ultimately true. However, the book is really about his wide range of legal cases and his role in building the Republican party in Illinois. It was interesting in its own right, but clearly the author felt no one would read the history and so used the Anderson murder trial to suck in readers. (Anderson was a prosperous but boring blacksmith. His illiterate wife and his nephew had a thing, and they first poisoned, and then bludgeoned the old man to death. When arrested the nephew had her pictures and a half bottle of strychnine!). In the last chapter Abe appeared for the defense and got a clearly guilty Mrs Anderson and her nephew/lover off. Tsk Tsk. Still, he was our greatest president and a man of epic stature.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title--The Case of Abraham Lincoln: A Story of Adultery, Murder, and the Making of a Great President--is misleading. I thought the book was going to be about a legal case that propelled Lincoln to the Presidency. Perhaps a better title would have been 1856: A Year in the Life of Abraham Lincoln. As for the legal case, the outcome was about as satisfying as The People vs. O.J. Simpson. While the background of the legal case is explained early in the book and the book ends with the trial itself, most of the book is about Illinois politics in 1856 and the birth of the Republican Party. Lincoln's involvement in the legal case was relatively minor. He entered the case late and was one of a slew of defense attorneys. His main contribution to the case was in keeping out prejudicial evidence. (No adultery was ever proved, and the identity of the murderer was never established.) The main contribution of the book itself is in presenting a detailed picture of what life in 1856 Springfield (and in Illinois and the nation more generally) was like, especially for Lincoln, and the first glimpses of Lincoln's growing fame. (The Lincoln-Douglas debates were to come later.)

[dejah_thoris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read as an audiobook. I never learned much about Lincoln's earlier years before he starting running for President and his years as a lawyer are barely touched upon in most history courses, so this book was great for filling that gap. It also includes a sensational and potentially scandalous trial of Mrs. Anderson and her boarder, Theodore, and whether they may have murdered Mr. Anderson. Aside from the focal case, Fenster also discusses how Lincoln helped shape the emergent Republican party based on his beliefs about not extending slavery, Whig political beliefs, and a need to suppress the primary thrust of the Know-Nothings who were the group closest to having a viable coalition on their own. Fenster also describes some of Lincoln's early political faux pas and mistakes, which is refreshing because many portraits of this great man paint him as nearly infallible. Knowing that he was a real person who can fail occasionally allows us to revere him all the more and ask ourselves like T.R. did when he was faced with a crisis, "What Would Lincoln Do?"

[Rick Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading about Abraham Lincoln! This book centers on Lincoln during the birth of the Republican Party in Illinois and the campaign of 1856. The author deftly follows Lincoln from Whig to Republican, from locally known to nationally known, and from lawyer to party spokesman. The transition was both exhilarating and exhausting for Lincoln. The details of his travels and appearances were most a interesting glimpse into the culture of the day. Woven into this fascinating year in Lincoln’s life is the account of the murder of George Anderson, a Springfield blacksmith. The subsequent investigations and the part Lincoln plays in the final trial made this book one I couldn’t put down. I read it in three days. A worth addition to my Lincoln library.

[Tessyohnka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though you can tell that the author did her research, the story just didn't pull together to deliver a great read. At the outset, there is so much detail about the doctors believing that Anderson was being poisoned and the reader is set up to believe that Anderson's wife and cousin committed the murder in an effort to be together. There's a lot of great information about Abraham Lincoln and the beginning of the Republican Party, and then Lincoln joins the defense attorneys on the Anderson case to get a not guilty verdict for the wife and cousin. It was strange and anti-climactic. Even though I loved learning that Lincoln had no interest in prosecuting and that he couldn't represent someone he believed to be guilty, I couldn't be dissuaded that the wife and cousin weren't guilty.

[Mike Barat · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was horrible. The copy of the book that I had, had 228 page and I read 48 pages before stopping, due to the fact that's 21% of book and I did not come across one word about the court case. Babble, babble and even more babble. Simply put this book never gets to the point. The writer Julie M. Fenster did a write a book titled Race Of The Century which I highly recommend, about a car race around the world in 1908.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives readers a sense of Lincoln's life as he reengages with politics while balancing the demand of his attorney work. In the midst of all this is a trial involving allegations of murder and adultery with which Lincoln eventually becomes involved in. The author provides a sense of the ebb and flow of Lincoln's life though not much attention is paid to his home life. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I think others interested in Lincoln will as well.

[Kathy Hale · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting to listen to. it is lincoln on the verge of his presidency. I think the title is a little misleading because some of the book is about the murder trial it is more about the political beginnings of the Republican party in Illinois with a little of the murder trail thrown in.

[Joy Arnold · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't read enough of it to give a detailed review, but I didn't like the author's style of writing and I expected something different. I expected a page turner, but it did not grab my attention.

[Jim Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprising new angle. Lincoln invented junk mail.

[George M]

The politics and a murder case in Illinois in 1856.

[Jenn M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always looking for something new in the arena of Abraham Lincoln history. Being a mystery and legal thriller fan, the title of this book made me have to read it. The book piqued my interest for a couple of reasons: 1) early history of Abraham Lincoln (the Illinois days), before he was elected President; and 2) crime detection and the legal system procedural process of the mid-19th century.

I thought Julie Fenster did a terrific job of blending together multiple authoritative sources to include both day-to-day events in the life of Abraham Lincoln, the lawyer and circuit court participant, and also, explaining the events in the larger political environment of Illinois in 1856. While Lincoln was known, at this time, throughout the eighth counties in his court district for his competent handling of minor legal matters, debts and collections, land sales disputes, petty larceny, etc., he was not yet the nationally known speaker and political party leader that he was soon to become. He still had to work on small legal cases every day to make a living, while he juggled to fit in time for political work to birth the new party (that would become Republican).

The issue of the extension of slavery into new territories and states was the most controversial topic for the U.S. in this 1956 election year. Names recognized from high school history classes--John Fremont, James Buchanan, Stephen Douglas--were the "well-knowns" of this day. Political maneuverings and compromises were completed, even without the wide media network and the polls of our modern times.

Lincoln used his law work with the circuit court (lawyers and judges traveled from county to county in the far-flung areas of Illinois to hold court twice per year) to meet and network with lawyers and other professionals, and used his encounters to gauge the public's political opinions, especially in conjunction with recruiting members for the new "anti-Nebraska (referring to the policy of slavery for Nebraska that replaced the Missouri compromise) that was attempting to fill the void for those who held to views of preventing the extension of slavery beyond the current slave states, but did not believe in absolute abolition.

Fenster's narrative masterfully ties together the various aspects of Lincoln's work and home life during this pivotal 12-month period. The murder case mentioned in the book's title was a case that Lincoln was recruited to just before the case was tried. Although Lincoln was not hired by the defendants directly, he contributed his skills to the team of defense lawyers (think of the team that tried the OJ Simpson case) nonetheless. Lincoln was successful in keeping damaging testimony away from the jury, allowing for the admitted evidence of murder to be mostly circumstantial, and therefore, not beyond reasonable doubt.

I like the picture of Lincoln presented in the book. One can begin to grasp how Lincoln juggled his responsibilities to fit in as much as possible, just like we all do. He made sacrifices, being away from home for weeks and months at a time, to make a living for his family and to maintain his level of competency in his profession. He also was known by many, and thought of as a kind man--assets that would be utilized when Lincoln wanted to convince others of his own political views.

Overall, a 4-star book, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book Fenster promises...a book on how Lincoln was perceived by other nations.

[Andrew]

Dan got me this one for Christmas.

"I immediately went into his office and found him in," Angell recalled of his meeting with Lincoln. "He was seated with his arms resting on the table and his long legs crossed. He was so different from any other person I had ever seen that for a moment I was dazed. The man looked like a cathedral.
I stated my busness, and feeling in my vest pocket, produced a ten dollar gold piece which I offered him as a retainer's fee. He was silent for a moment, and then said as he pushed my money toward me, 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry, but that fellow [Webster] was here not half an hour ago and I took five dollars of his money. But I'll tell you what to do; you go see John T. Stewart [sic], he's a better lawyer than I am anyway."

I enjoyed this book and read much of it while on the trains between Chicago, Illinois and St Louis, MO -- passing through much of the territory covered by Judge Davis' Circuit, where Lincoln argued thousands of cases in his prairie lawyer days. The details, when revealed, of city life, the means of transportation, the manner of dress, the daily life of a lawyer/politician, etc. were enjoyable as was the telling of Lincoln's early speeches and the creation of the Republican Party (nee Anti-Nebraska Party) within Illinois.

The author was short on these details, however. Providing little in the way of characterization and background to the lawyers, politicians, preachers, housewives, railroads, rivers, cities, and children who were its primary and peripheral movers and shakers. I came away wanting more biographical and psychological depth. The author put the bulk of her resources into the investigation of the Anderson case itself -- most of her notes are from court documents. The case, which she makes the main plot-line (in the sense that it begins and ends with the case, and the book-flap bills the case as the book's center), is the least interesting piece of the story, and Lincoln had no involvement in it until the very end. It doesn't even seem to be the most intriguing of Lincoln's cases. I'd like to know more about Spink v. Chiniquy, a slander suit against the feisty, wannabe-martyr Father Charles Chiniquy of Kankakee, Illinois.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio book. I rather liked this one, even though I have to agree with the several other reviewers who noted that the title is rather misleading. There is a murder case that is quite scandalous and Lincoln is involved in the trial. But that turns out to be the least interesting thing in this book by far. The real story is about Lincoln's entry into the political arena in the run-up to the 1856 presidential election -- and that story is fascinating. Fenster deftly crystallizes just how far off the the political radar, how utterly unknown a political figure Lincoln was just 4 years before he would become President of the United States, carry the country through the horror of the Civil War, and emerge with a tattered yet whole nation on the other side. It has been observed that history not infrequently gives rise to certain uniquely qualified individuals and puts them in just the right place at just the right time to change the course of human events. Lincoln was truly one such individual and Fenster illustrates just how precipitously he did arise from popular small town lawyer to savior of the Union in less than an historical blink of an eye. For someone to come from that out of nowhere in that short of a time makes you really wonder about the whole destiny thing. The other part of this story that really works is the insiders view of the birth of the Republican Party. How a single political ideal sparked a movement and how the well chosen words and deeds of a few individuals guided that movement into a political force, one that would drive the ultimate showdown to decide the humanity of a nation, is pretty compelling stuff. Add to that the irony of where both the Republican and Democratic parties stood on that largest of social issues then versus where they stand now on myriad social issues. And too, how timely to review the birth of the Republican Party at a time when we may be seeing it spiral down into self destruction. So with all of that thought provoking stuff going on in this book, it is rather unfortunate that it has been so salaciously titled. In my opinion, this would have been a better read if all of the murder trial stuff had been left out altogether. But then it probably wouldn't have sold nearly as well, would it?...(sigh)

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fabulous 5-star right up until the end which brings it down to a 4 1/2-star.

The title is misleading. The book chronicles Lincoln's life in the year 1856. He is well-known and really well-liked as a traveling lawyer, but he is not seen as wise and amazing yet. He works with other lawyers who seem to be heading to higher places politically than he is. He plays a vital part in starting the Republican party that year and starts to become famous after his powerful speech at the organizing convention.

The details of the politics of the time, and the weird, funny things that lawyers and judges did, and all of the little personal things Lincoln did that made people like him are really cool.

A lot of court cases are discussed that are very interesting. The main one, the case involving adultery and murder from the title, was famous at the time and is very interesting. The dumb thing is that Lincoln is only kinda, sorta involved with the case. I think the author just dwelt on the more sensational case to have a catchy title--it really doesn't play that big a deal in Lincoln's life.

What you're getting here is an interesting, relatively quick view of Lincoln just before he became a well-known politician in the Republican party. You get the story of the party and lots of opinions about Lincoln at the time, uncolored by the later hero-worship of his character. I loved it.

[Jacob Lines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book about Lincoln’s life. The virtue of this book is that it is focused in time and it covers ground often overlooked. The book offers a fascinating and detailed picture of Lincoln’s life from March to December of 1856. And while it covers politics, it also covers his legal work that he was doing at the same time. The result is very interesting. This window of time was critical – the Republican Party was just being formed to challenge the Democrats, and Lincoln took a risk on it and helped craft the party’s identity so that it could actually appeal to a wide enough spectrum of voters to make a difference. He also participated in some interesting cases, the most famous of which is covered in good detail here – a murder case in which the victim’s wife and nephew were accused, with adultery being the motive. Fenster does a remarkable job of using the legal resources now available to tell the story of Lincoln the lawyer as well as the politician. It is great as a lawyer to read about how Lincoln handled cases – always try to settle – and how he handled the cases that went to trial – get good rulings on evidence and you will probably win. She also does a great job of conveying the uncertainty and excitement caused by the major shifts in political parties and the founding of the Republican Party. Her description of Lincoln’s speech to the Illinois convention in 1856 was especially good at sharing that excitement.

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

My mistake about reading this book was not reading the back for the description. But I feel, that even if I had read the description of this book, it wouldn't have helped me or changed this review. I picked this book (well, audio book) up because of one reason: the title. The title looked freaking amazing. And the author does a great job of making the title eye catching because the title has very little to do with the book. For a good while in the beginning, the author goes in great detail about a random (or seemingly random) murder case. She also discusses in great length and detail Lincoln's help in creating the Republican party. But you know what the great thing is? The author liked to switch back and forth between these two story plots so you end up having NO IDEA WHAT IS GOING ON. And finally, FINALLY, on disc 7 (of 7!) when she reveals that this murder case she's been rambling about is one that Lincoln happened to "take" as a lawyer right after the first elections of the Republican Party. But it gets better, Lincoln doesn't really play much of a part in the murder case. He just kind of sits there during the trial. SO WHAT'S THE POINT OF THIS BOOK!? Nothing. There is no point. It was worse than a piece of crap. Don't read it.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to agree with other reviews about the false advertising. I was really hoping for a riveting story about a murder case involving Abraham Lincoln when he was a circuit lawyer in Illinois. The copious amount of information about Lincoln's involvement with the founding of the Republican party was interesting, but I kept wondering what it had to do with the Anderson case. Nothing really, as it turns iut. The murder case becomes incidental in the end and clearly the defendants were guilty although Lincoln helps get them off on a technicality. I was disappointed overall, I won't lie.

[Laurie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting glimpse of politics at the time of the formation of the Republican party. However, the author was using many newly discovered source documents (letters, diaries, etc.) and seems to have been compelled to use every possible detail, which made the book feel very random and unwieldy. It was a "choppy" read, without good flow to the narrative. Useful information about Abe's entrance into politics and his law career with the circuit court in Illinois...but not a pleasant reading experience.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw Julie Fenster on Book TV talking about this book, and I was immediately 'hooked'. She did a magnificent job of opening a window into Lincoln's everyday life as a lawyer in 1856, and setting the stage for the creation of the Republican Party. That glimpse of Lincoln was well worth the read, but the particular murder case that was woven into the biography was never solved. So it is a bit disappointing at the end to get no resolution to the murder.

[Maryellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

New stuff on Lincoln. I admit I can read anything on Lincoln but the addition of the murder of Charles Anderson and Lincoln's involvement in the case made this an interesting read. The book covered Lincoln's involvement with the formation of the Republican party and his expertise in the law. The man was just amazing. He had such a brilliant mind.
Also lots of interesting stuff about Springfield, IL.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure this deserves 3 stars, but not sure it warrents 4 stars. Maybe 3 1/2. I think the title is misleading because it isn't so much about the court case mentioned, as it is about Lincoln's rise in political stature at the time the case occurs.

It was very interesting to hear about politics in the time this book takes place. It made me like Lincoln even more than I already do and learn more about him.

[Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Focuses on the year 1856 when Lincoln was instrumental in setting up the Republican party (the Grand Old one, not what passes for it now.) Connects his personal, legal and political activities and the impact of each on his future election to the Presidency. The adultery and murder are in his legal domain: he became one of the defense lawyers. Good book. A little jumpy in the transitions from legal to political to personal. Very interesting in this year of Obama.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book talks about how Lincoln helped form a new political party from the wreckage of the Whigs and "anti-Nebraskans" at the same time he was one of the busiest lawyers in central Illinois. Good insight into the development of a man from being well-known only in his judicial circuit to our 16th president.

[Lynne]

Finished it. I felt that it was a good snapshot in time of the life of Abe Lincoln in the years leading up to his time as President. Some little known stories about other people who needed legal help (including a nephew who was a thief, and Abe got him OFF!) and how he was increasing becoming popular on his way to the White House.

[Eric A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and Informative snapshot of a year in the life of Abraham Lincoln. 1856 saw A. Lincoln active as a lawyer, including the key role he played in an infamous murder mystery, while at the same time playing an influential role in the formation of the Republican party and his ascendancy there in.

[Dalen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's true that the title of this book is a bit misleading . . . But to me it was perfect. I was very interested in Lincoln's role in the formation of what became the Republican Party, his life as an attorney and his work/family balance. It was very interesting to see how the stage was set in 1856 for his presidency. I really enjoyed this book.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a member of the legal profession, I'm glad to know that our greatest president was also a great lawyer. This book provides new insights into Lincoln's character, and the practice of law in the 1850s. A quick and interesting read.