Lincoln on LincolnPaul M. Zall Though Abraham Lincoln has been the subject of numerous biographies, his personality remains an enigma. During his lifetime, Lincoln prepared two sketches of his life for the 1860 presidential race. These brief campaign portraits serve as the core around which Paul Zall weaves extracts from correspondence, speeches, and interviews to produce an in-depth biography. Lincoln's writing about himself offers a window into the soul and mind of one of America's greatest president. His words reveal an emotional evolution typically submerged in political biographies. Lincoln on Lincoln shows a man struggling to reconcile personal ambition and civic virtue, conscience and Constitution, and ultimately the will of God and the will of the people. Zall frames Lincoln's words with his own illuminating commentary, providing a continuous, compelling narrative. Beginning with Lincoln's thoughts on his parents, the story moves though his youth and early successes and failures in law and politics, and culminates in his clashes and conflicts—internal as well as external—as president of a divided country. Through his writings, Lincoln said much more about himself than is commonly recognized, and Zall uses this material to create a unique portrait of this pivotal figure. |
From inside the book
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... Whig party 1850 Son Edward dies of pulmonary February tuberculosis December Son William "Willie" born Father dies at age seventy-two 1851 January 1853 April Son Thomas "Tad" born. 1856 May Aids in forming Republican party in Illinois ...
... Whig meant no more than that he preferred Henry Clay to Andrew Jackson. The obligatory candidate's statement in the Sagamon Journal 15 March (an excerpt follows) emphasized the value of opening the river to navigation. Oddly enough, it ...
... Whig leader, Lincoln announced his candidacy in midApril and in the August election captured 1,376 votes, hardly “the highest vote,” which went to John Dawson (1,390) (Thomas, New Salem, 119n). He needed little encouragement to enter ...
... Whigs sent seven assemblymen and two senators to the capital, Vandalia, where they were called “the long Nine,” in aggregate height totaling 54 feet (Simon 22-27). On the stump Lincoln proved adept at clarifying issues. 13 JUNE 1836 I ...
... Whig leader. In the legislature, Lincoln said little the first year but, a good committeeman, made many friends, a valuable asset in moving the capital to Springfield, his home until leaving for Washington. Approaching thirty years of ...
Contents
Making His Way with Wit and Wisdom | |
Stumping the State and the Nation | |
Preserving Protecting Defending | |
Making Peace All Passion Spent | |
Notes | |