Abraham Lincoln

Former Senator and presidential candidate George McGovern has authored this slender biography of Abraham Lincoln. This is one more entry in "The American Presidents" series and, overall, is a solid addition. The Introduction, by the late historian Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. sets the context for the entire series when he says that (Page xv): "The Founders must have sensed [the idea that one branch would have to take initiative] when they accepted Alexander Hamilton's proposition in the Seventieth Federalist that 'energy in the executive is a leading character in the definition of good government." And Abraham Lincoln exercised great energy as President. The first chapter puts Lincoln in some context, observing that (Page 12): "Perhaps above all else, Americans continue to admire Lincoln's sense of himself. He was a common man who rose to uncommon heights and produced uncommon efforts." His beginning, as most readers know, was humble, growing up poor in Kentucky. The story proceeds with the tale of death in the family, the move to Illinois, Lincoln's early adulthood as he settled in New Salem and, later, Springfield. His early interest in politics began in Illinois. He began as a Whig, served a term in Congress, and also was elected to the Illinois legislature. In some ways, though, it was a defeat that propelled him to national attention, with the series of Lincoln-Douglas debates in 1858. After his loss, Lincoln took the opportunity to make a speaking tour. In doing so, he helped position himself as a fallback candidate for President in 1860 if apparent frontrunners faltered. And, of course, that is what happened. The story of his Cabinet filled with those who had had presidential ambitions themselves, the outbreak of the Civil War, his efforts to understand military theory, his struggle to find the right leaders for the Union military forces. . . . All this is told, as well as the story of his death. The book closes with an epilogue that, once more, placed Lincoln in context. The book's great strength is also its weakness. For many, a short biography is accessible and is more tempting than a longer one; hence, such slim works might produce a larger readership, with more people getting acquainted with the subject. But the cost of this is shallow coverage. Anyone considering reading this book should work through why they want to read it. An easy to read accessible volume? If so, this will work for you. A careful detailed biography? If so, you will learn little here. Try Donald's magisterial volume or White's new biography.

I am writing this review of George McGovern's new short biography of Abraham Lincoln on the eve of the upcoming 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?" (p.2)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 a

Senator George McGovern knows more about what it takes to become the President of the United States than you or I. In 1972 the Nixon landslide swept his hopes away but he got closer to being president than any of us ever will. McGovern is a student of history. He has been part of it - as we prepare to honor Abraham Lincoln on the 200th anniversary of his birth this February we are engulfed by Lincoln books, most of them thick and wordy. Let's cut to the chase. This addition to the wonderfully compact American President's series is one of the best yet (I have read a dozen of them so far). McGovern makes his understated case that Abe Lincoln was our best president and that nobody else comes even close. We learn about Abe's evolving and conflicted views of slavery and civil war. We discover why the Emancipation Proclamation was his greatest achievement. We hear the magnificent wordsmith, the greatest speech writer ever to occupy the White House, as we wait for the inauguration of another brilliant orator, another slender guy from Illinois, another relative newcomer to politics, and we savor the exquisite irony that Abe Lincoln made Barack Obama possible.

A lot has been written about Lincoln. This book presents a good summary and covers the high lites of his life before and while being President.

"How do you buy a gift for someone who already has everything?" we often ask. Whenever I pick up a new book about Lincoln, I ask a similar question: "How can anyone write another book about a man who has been the topic of more books than any other human being, save Jesus Christ?" George McGovern shows us how. This easy-to-read and hard-to-put-down 155-page biography of our 16th President, which is another installment from the American Presidents Series, is a wonderful addition to the Lincoln library. Lincoln's entire life story, from his humble Kentucky origins to his leadership of our war-stricken country in the early 1860s to his untimely assassination and death, is laid out in this concise biography. Obviously those who write books on Lincoln have to narrow their focus considerably, especially when having to keep your story to 155 pages, like McGovern did. I appreciate McGovern's editorial emphasis on several aspects of Lincoln's presidency that I have not learned a great deal about through reading other biographies of him, namely, Lincoln's controversial decision to suspend the writ of habeas corpus during war time, his stifling of the disloyal press, and his personal doubts about his chances of being re-elected in 1864. For the more experienced reader of Lincoln, and especially for the novice or beginner, this biography is a delightful read. McGovern successfully reminds us yet again of the greatness of this humble man whom God lifted up to a position of greatness in our land and who will continue to serve as a hero for many more generations to come.