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Abraham Lincoln: A History, Vol.I
Considered one of the best treatments of the presidency of Abraham Lincoln of its time, this portrait of the man and his administration of the United States at the moment of its greatest upheaval is both intimate and scholarly. Written by two private secretaries to the president and first published in 1890, this astonishingly in-depth work is still praised today for its clear, easy-to-read style and vitality. This new replica edition features all the original illustrations. Volume One covers: the Lincoln lineage from the late 18th century Lincoln's boyhood in Kentucky and Indiana his experience in the legislature and his early law practice Lincoln's early opposition to slavery "The Shields Duel" the campaign for Congress "civil war" in Kansas and much more. American journalist and statesman JOHN MILTON HAY (1838-1905) was only 22 when he became a private secretary to Lincoln. A former member of the Providence literary circle when he attended Brown University in the late 1850s, he may have been the real author of Lincoln's famous "Letter to Mrs. Bixby." After Lincoln's death, Hay later served as editor of the *New York Tribune* and as U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom under President William McKinley. American author JOHN GEORGE NICOLAY (1832-1901) was born in Germany and emigrated to the U.S. as a child. Before serving as Lincoln's private secretary, he worked as a newspaper editor and later as assistant to the secretary of state of Illinois. He also wrote *Campaigns of the Civil War* (1881).
528 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1890
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About the author
John G. Nicolay
127 books7 followersJohn George Nicolay was born in Essingen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, on February 26, 1832. He moved to the United States with his family at age 5, and worked at a local Illinois newspaper growing up. Nicolay went on to serve as secretary to President Abraham Lincoln. Nearly 30 years after Lincoln’s death, Nicolay co-wrote a 10-volume biography on the president, Abraham Lincoln: A History, with friend and fellow Lincoln White House employee John Hay.
He was a member of the German branch of the Nicolay family.
Nicolay died on September 26, 1901, in Washington, D.C. He was buried in the nation's capital, at the Oak Hill Cemetery.
He was a member of the German branch of the Nicolay family.
Nicolay died on September 26, 1901, in Washington, D.C. He was buried in the nation's capital, at the Oak Hill Cemetery.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 18, 2020
This is the first of ten volumes about the life and times of Abraham Lincoln written by John Nicolay and John Hay, his private secretaries during his presidency. And there is so much to say; where do I start?
In many ways, this is the ultimate set of volumes about Lincoln. They were written by the two men who were as close — or closer — to Lincoln during the war years as anyone. They slept in the White House and were privy to almost every important decision and event. To top that off, Mssrs. Nicolay and Hay were completely trusted by Robert Lincoln (Abraham's son) and were the first biographers to gain full access to the collected Lincoln papers. In the end, there is no better definition of "primary sources" than that and it is no wonder that their work has often been used as the basis of other Lincoln biographies.
So, what else do you need to know before you tackle this masterwork?
1) If you're expecting a biography, you're not necessarily in the right place. These volumes are better understood as histories of the United States in which Abraham Lincoln appears as the principal character and there are entire chapters in which Lincoln does not appear at all. The first volume spans from the Lincoln genealogy — his grandfather was an associate of Daniel Boone and an entire section of the book is dedicated to a brief history of Boone — up to the beginnings of trouble in "Bleeding Kansas" in 1855 and 1856. In fact, the chapters on the troubles in Kansas — especially the "Border Ruffians" — are so complete and detailed that they could stand on their own as a history of that conflict.
2) Mssrs. Nicolay and Hay are outstanding writers, but it helps to get your brain wrapped around a style and vocabulary that are very much of the 19th century. From time to time, you will encounter a word whose common meaning has changed enough in the ensuing 130 years as to require a second or third reading of the sentence.
3) As one might expect, Mssrs. Nicolay and Hay engage in more than a little hero worship of President Lincoln. That did not take away from the power of their writing for me, but it's probably a good thing to know ahead of time.
Because of their length, these volumes were not widely distributed upon publication. In fact, they have been out of print for years, so I was thrilled to see that Cosimo Classics decided to issue a reprint. I have to admit that I had built these up so much in my head that it would have been natural to be disappointed when finally opening the first volume.
But I was not disappointed in the least. If the first volume is any indication, these will live up to — and exceed — my expectations. I look forward to starting the second volume and I encourage anyone who is passionate about American history to take the same plunge.
In many ways, this is the ultimate set of volumes about Lincoln. They were written by the two men who were as close — or closer — to Lincoln during the war years as anyone. They slept in the White House and were privy to almost every important decision and event. To top that off, Mssrs. Nicolay and Hay were completely trusted by Robert Lincoln (Abraham's son) and were the first biographers to gain full access to the collected Lincoln papers. In the end, there is no better definition of "primary sources" than that and it is no wonder that their work has often been used as the basis of other Lincoln biographies.
So, what else do you need to know before you tackle this masterwork?
1) If you're expecting a biography, you're not necessarily in the right place. These volumes are better understood as histories of the United States in which Abraham Lincoln appears as the principal character and there are entire chapters in which Lincoln does not appear at all. The first volume spans from the Lincoln genealogy — his grandfather was an associate of Daniel Boone and an entire section of the book is dedicated to a brief history of Boone — up to the beginnings of trouble in "Bleeding Kansas" in 1855 and 1856. In fact, the chapters on the troubles in Kansas — especially the "Border Ruffians" — are so complete and detailed that they could stand on their own as a history of that conflict.
2) Mssrs. Nicolay and Hay are outstanding writers, but it helps to get your brain wrapped around a style and vocabulary that are very much of the 19th century. From time to time, you will encounter a word whose common meaning has changed enough in the ensuing 130 years as to require a second or third reading of the sentence.
3) As one might expect, Mssrs. Nicolay and Hay engage in more than a little hero worship of President Lincoln. That did not take away from the power of their writing for me, but it's probably a good thing to know ahead of time.
Because of their length, these volumes were not widely distributed upon publication. In fact, they have been out of print for years, so I was thrilled to see that Cosimo Classics decided to issue a reprint. I have to admit that I had built these up so much in my head that it would have been natural to be disappointed when finally opening the first volume.
But I was not disappointed in the least. If the first volume is any indication, these will live up to — and exceed — my expectations. I look forward to starting the second volume and I encourage anyone who is passionate about American history to take the same plunge.
October 1, 2018
This is excellent and it provides a lot of information that I did not know. As a New Englander I grew up with a view of the Civil War as it being all about abolition and it was very clear black and white views. This blog shows a different view of people living in the Western front tier of Illinois Missouri Kansas area. It is very different it is quite interesting to hear and I was also a lot of eye-opening and ear opening statements made. I am really looking forward to the rest of the series because I really want to learn more about the American Civil War but isn’t so biased as just the abolitionist View I was taught.
I actually listen to the LibriVox version of the book and will continue to do so. I look forward to hearing more about these events in the details that are so interesting to me because they’re new and they help paint a better picture of the events that we called the US Civil War.
I actually listen to the LibriVox version of the book and will continue to do so. I look forward to hearing more about these events in the details that are so interesting to me because they’re new and they help paint a better picture of the events that we called the US Civil War.
January 31, 2021
A Lincoln biography?
How do you judge a biography about Abraham Lincoln when he gradually fades into the background and the final quarter of the book he is not even mentioned. It starts promisingly enough but at the midway point he just becomes a secondary character in his own biography. As important as the history of this period is it would have been interesting see where Lincoln stood, especially as the subject of freeing slaves began to divide the nation. Perhaps this will be explored more fully in the next volume. The author never really brings the subjects to life and it has the lifelessness of a school textbook. It's not compelling me to read the next.
How do you judge a biography about Abraham Lincoln when he gradually fades into the background and the final quarter of the book he is not even mentioned. It starts promisingly enough but at the midway point he just becomes a secondary character in his own biography. As important as the history of this period is it would have been interesting see where Lincoln stood, especially as the subject of freeing slaves began to divide the nation. Perhaps this will be explored more fully in the next volume. The author never really brings the subjects to life and it has the lifelessness of a school textbook. It's not compelling me to read the next.
February 19, 2021
Maybe things will change in subsequent volumes but this volume spends a lot of time talking about what’s going on in the country whether it involves Lincoln or not.. For example the last several chapters of this book are all about the foment in Kansas around slavery. Interesting but too many details, too many footnotes and worst of all not one mention of Lincoln!
November 16, 2020
Repeating history in 2020...geez
December 27, 2017
Four stars overall, but five stars in terms of the amount of new information I gained from this work - which I listened to as a Librivox audio book - and also in terms of its dense, well-crafted prose. You feel as though you have gotten to know Lincoln personally through this narration. Beyond being a biography of Lincoln, the book also covers the overall history of the period. It went a long way toward sharpening and filling out the vague impressions I had from junior high school of the Missouri Compromise and beginnings of the Civil War with abundant background, details, and interpretation. Highly recommended.
July 25, 2008
Wow, this was actually a fascinating read!
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April 6, 2013Wish they had the rest of these on Kindle! Inside information from Lincoln's secretary...
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews