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rockinghorsedreams's review against another edition
4.0
It is of course excellent, and very well written, but for some reason it felt too long (much longer than it's already long 750 pages), and some of the information being repeated in several sections adds to that.
thejazzrobertson's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent book! Very well researched, written in story form, this lengthy and brilliant read paints a vivid picture of one of the greatest leaders in history.
peternickeas's review against another edition
5.0
Probably one of the best books I've ever read. Aside from learning a great deal about what shaped the events of the day, I learned a lot about what makes an effective person. This book was amazing.
kuruugaa's review against another edition
4.0
'Shortly after Lincoln returned from Gettysberg, he came down with a mild case of smallpox. the illness would last several weeks but it left his humor in tact. "Yes, it is a bad disease but it has its advantages," he told some visitors. "For the first time since I have been in office, I have something to give to everybody who calls."'
authorguy's review against another edition
5.0
JFK was my favorite president--although on shaky ground--until I read this book. Goodwin does a fascinating job of bringing Lincoln to life--warts and depression and all--to life. The maddening thing when reading this book is that you can the incompetent generals Lincoln chose to manage the North's fighting of The Civil War, and how many unnecessary years it was expanded because of Lincoln's insistence on supporting his choices and using patience beyond all reason to wait for them to start putting victories on the board. It wasn't until both Sherman and Grant were in place that the Union Army finally won.
What was also enlightening to learn was that Lincoln was an admitted racist, that he did think black people where inferior to white people. Meeting and talking with Frederick Douglass changed his thinking but not the inbred racism that he refused to acknowledge after that. it was also the first place where I read The Emancipation Proclamation was very restrictive with who it freed, mainly because Lincoln didn't want to further enrage states with slavery he still needed on his side or Southern states that hadn't yet seceded from the Union.
The book was used as the primary source for Steven Spielberg's movie "Lincoln".
What was also enlightening to learn was that Lincoln was an admitted racist, that he did think black people where inferior to white people. Meeting and talking with Frederick Douglass changed his thinking but not the inbred racism that he refused to acknowledge after that. it was also the first place where I read The Emancipation Proclamation was very restrictive with who it freed, mainly because Lincoln didn't want to further enrage states with slavery he still needed on his side or Southern states that hadn't yet seceded from the Union.
The book was used as the primary source for Steven Spielberg's movie "Lincoln".
amspence85's review against another edition
3.0
I give this book 3 stars because of how it's written. It isn't very well organized or extremely riveting. As a book of historical fact, however, this book shed light on much of the 1860 election and the Lincoln Administration that hasn't been discussed for ages.
readoodles's review against another edition
4.0
I learned so much about Abraham Lincoln as a person and politician and tons about the time period and the people surrounding him.
kcreary's review against another edition
4.0
Outstanding, but a slow read at start. Once Lincoln is elected the story takes off!
threadofgrace's review against another edition
5.0
Got this as an audible an audible book after seeing Lincoln. This is clearly the way to go, since I have never previously managed to get through this book before simply because its way too heavy a book to carry around with me. And at least for me, the story was compelling enough that I couldn't stop listening, which made the book go by fairly quickly.
I mean, what is there about this book that hasn't been said before? The cool thing about Lincoln is that unlike most presidents, the more you read about him, the more compelling he gets. Also, given what Obama has said about how influential this book has been for him, what's extra fun is reading this and trying to imagine what Obama took from it and how he has tried to apply the lessons to his presidency.
Lincoln and his cabinet members definitely come alive throughout the book to such an extent that I was sitting on the bus home, sniffling over descriptions of Secretary of State Seward's reaction to Lincoln's death, and sorta hoping that whole assassination thing never really happened.
I mean, what is there about this book that hasn't been said before? The cool thing about Lincoln is that unlike most presidents, the more you read about him, the more compelling he gets. Also, given what Obama has said about how influential this book has been for him, what's extra fun is reading this and trying to imagine what Obama took from it and how he has tried to apply the lessons to his presidency.
Lincoln and his cabinet members definitely come alive throughout the book to such an extent that I was sitting on the bus home, sniffling over descriptions of Secretary of State Seward's reaction to Lincoln's death, and sorta hoping that whole assassination thing never really happened.