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22nd out of 52 books
—
37 voters
Lincoln: A President for the Ages
by
Karl Weber
The First American. Frontiersman and backwoods attorney. Teller of bawdy tales and a spellbinding orator. A champion of liberty some called a would-be tyrant. Savior of the Union and the Great Emancipator. All these are Abraham Lincoln—in his time America’s most admired and reviled leader, and still our nation’s most enigmatic and captivating hero.
Timed to complement the n...more
Timed to complement the n...more
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
October 30th 2012
by PublicAffairs
(first published October 8th 2012)
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11/29/12 A Goodreads giveaway raffle book - received today. Husband will read and give a review.
Because it is written by a great number of writers and scholars, though interesting it was not biographical as I'd wished for everyone has their own opinion. Sometimes hard to follow, not knowing all the time who's writing each story as they almost seem to follow through to each others references or made up expectations.
Saw the movie Lincoln about a month ago. Passed along to a service contractor aft...more
Because it is written by a great number of writers and scholars, though interesting it was not biographical as I'd wished for everyone has their own opinion. Sometimes hard to follow, not knowing all the time who's writing each story as they almost seem to follow through to each others references or made up expectations.
Saw the movie Lincoln about a month ago. Passed along to a service contractor aft...more
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Recently a lot of focus has been put on Abraham Lincoln much of it surrounding the release of the film“Lincoln A President for the Ages” by Steven Spielberg. This book edited by Karl Weber is a series of 13 essays about Lincoln as a companion to the film. I have not seen the movie yet so I cannot compare its content with the book. I however saw a critique on a news program on television concerning the film by an historian. His basic criticism of the film was that it embellished Lincoln’s standin...more
The essay collection Lincoln: A President for the Ages, edited by Karl Weber, is an engrossing chronicle that discusses many aspect of the man and his political legacy from previously neglected vantage points. In light of the recent Spielberg film, appropriately titled: Lincoln, this collection provides an insightfully nuanced look at the popular President; certainly, the book sheds a very stark light on the current American political climate.
The book’s thirteen essays concern a variety of topi...more
The book’s thirteen essays concern a variety of topi...more
I received Lincoln: A President for the Ages through the First Reads Giveaway. I was hoping to see the movie, but that has not happened, yet. I thought I would give the review on just the book, then perhaps add how it served as the companion to the movie later.
The book is a collection of 13 essays that examine various aspects of Lincoln. I found the essays to be interesting, in part. There were plenty of tidbits to pick up about the historic figure. Many authors attempted to posit what Lincoln...more
The book is a collection of 13 essays that examine various aspects of Lincoln. I found the essays to be interesting, in part. There were plenty of tidbits to pick up about the historic figure. Many authors attempted to posit what Lincoln...more
I've read only one other book about Abraham Lincoln. It was excellent, and so is this one. It is basically a collection of essays by historians and scholars about the man, his politics and the Civil War. Some of the essays ask the question what would Lincoln do if he were president when the Great Depression happened, or what would he do about dropping the bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I don't know if those are valid questions or not, you can only speculate so much and then you get away from th...more
Here's the deal, this book is what it is a "popular" book on Lincoln which is a companion to the movie. I did learn some things about Lincoln and the writing was on the whole quite good. My problem with this series of essays is they were almost all based to some extent paralleling Lincoln's experiences with other presidents and some were a little far fetched - Lincoln versus Truman and the decision to drop the bomb on Japan in WW2. Would he have done it too? So what? There is also an interview...more
A collection of essays in which many authors posit what would Lincoln do
with various modern situations. The essays are well written and researched. The excerpts of Lincoln's own writings are fascinating. However, ultimately for me, I was put off by the transparent attempts by several of the authors to mold the vision of Lincoln they present to bolster their own political views.
Worth a read, and it does provoke thought. However, it gives more insight into the authors of the essays then it does...more
with various modern situations. The essays are well written and researched. The excerpts of Lincoln's own writings are fascinating. However, ultimately for me, I was put off by the transparent attempts by several of the authors to mold the vision of Lincoln they present to bolster their own political views.
Worth a read, and it does provoke thought. However, it gives more insight into the authors of the essays then it does...more
I was really wary of this, because the back of the book mentions "Would Lincoln have dropped the bomb on Hiroshima?" and some other speculative historic statements that I despise. But the actual contents of the book were far from that sort of speculation- yes, they talk about parallels between Lincoln's actions and decisions made during the Civil War, and those of FDR, Truman, and Bush had to make in similarly tough situations. But they are all (for the most part) very scholarly, and read more l...more
This book is a suppliment to go with the Lincoln movie. It contains various essays by activists, professors, judges, Lincoln experts, etc. Each essay addresses one current issue and thoughts on how Lincoln would have handled this issue if he were president today. I found parts of the book just terrific and others mediocre. I enjoyed Lincoln's actual words the most. I was left with mixed feelings about the entire book that is why I gave it three stars. The essays were well-written, imformative th...more
This was a fantastic win for me from Goodreads.
Karl Weber showed the many faces of Lincoln by comparing other leaders in history that had to make their own crucial decisions just as Lincoln had to make his. Comparing decisions to FDR in WWII, Truman to drop the bomb to end WWII. I'm a big history buff of WWII and particularly enjoyed those chapters.
Each chapter is a short story on major decisions with a speech or letter from Lincoln.
No one can say what Lincoln would have done, one can only spec...more
Karl Weber showed the many faces of Lincoln by comparing other leaders in history that had to make their own crucial decisions just as Lincoln had to make his. Comparing decisions to FDR in WWII, Truman to drop the bomb to end WWII. I'm a big history buff of WWII and particularly enjoyed those chapters.
Each chapter is a short story on major decisions with a speech or letter from Lincoln.
No one can say what Lincoln would have done, one can only spec...more
I received this book as a GoodReads win and was very excited to read it considering its relations to the new Steven Spielberg movie that recently came to the theatre. This book of essays gives you a new insight to the many faces and characteristics of our popular 16th president. I personally found it very interesting how the different essays address some of the most controversial and popular questions associated with Abraham Lincolns morals, decisions, and lifestyle. Any history buff would love...more
There are hundreds of biographies of Abraham Lincoln. Luckily, this is not another one. Rather it is an exposition by various Lincoln scholars on various aspects of his personality and character - his sense of public opinion, ability to shape political events, etc. Some contain great insight - "Lincoln the Unlikely Celebrity" by Harold Holzer and "The Almighty Has His Own Purposes" by Richard Carwarine. The book is meant for those who already know the surface Lincoln and want to go under the sur...more
Noted authors and scholars speculate as to how the 16th President would have responded to events far removed from the mid-19th century. And of course, this is the problem. I loved the response to an inquiry, "What would Lincoln do about forced-bussing?" First he'd ask, "What's a bus?" That said, there are some intriguing insights here, most notably those of Henry Louis Gates on Lincoln and slavery, race, and colonization (which Lincoln viewed as three distinct issues) and Harold Holzer on public...more
3.5 I received this book from Goodreads giveaways. I was intrigued by the fact that this book is a companion to the new Lincoln movie. I am not illiterate but felt as if I were after reading this book (so many new to me words used by the different experts). The book was somewhat repetitive in the fact that the different experts would use the same situations to explain their point on what they felt Lincoln would do if he were to react to major historical events that have occurred since his death....more
My biggest problem with the companion book to the movie Lincoln is that it does not seem to know what it wants to be. An anthology, the book itself lacks a sense of focus. Repeatedly throughout the book some of the authors mention that it is impossible to know what would Lincoln do at pivotal points throughout American history- it continually mentioned that this is not a "what if..." book. Then proceeds to ask what if. Then add the piece by Sylvia Reuben , an actress from the movie, and you have...more
"Lincoln: A President for the Ages" was written as a companion to the recently released Steven Spielberg film. It's thirteen essays tackle questions of what Lincoln might have done if faced with challenges outside of his lifetime: women's suffrage, the atomic bomb, etc.
While well-written, the political bias of the essayists and editor are transparent, making the premise of the work null and void. In my opinion, one cannot examine the hypothetical without removing pre-conceived biases. Had the w...more
While well-written, the political bias of the essayists and editor are transparent, making the premise of the work null and void. In my opinion, one cannot examine the hypothetical without removing pre-conceived biases. Had the w...more
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book!
A President for the Ages, edited by Karl Weber is an enveloping chronicle that covers many aspects of Licoln and his political legacy from previously neglected vantage points.
The books thirteen essays discuss a variety of topics ranging from the President’s character, Lincoln’s views on woman’s suffrage and, by extension, women’s rights; as well as Lincoln’s deftness as a communicator, a engrossing subject given the President’s gifts as an orato...more
A President for the Ages, edited by Karl Weber is an enveloping chronicle that covers many aspects of Licoln and his political legacy from previously neglected vantage points.
The books thirteen essays discuss a variety of topics ranging from the President’s character, Lincoln’s views on woman’s suffrage and, by extension, women’s rights; as well as Lincoln’s deftness as a communicator, a engrossing subject given the President’s gifts as an orato...more
I received this book as part of Goodreads giveaway for my father.
He's found it to be kind of dry, with some interesting tidbits on Lincoln. It's a bit too opinionated with more "what ifs" than most historical-based books should be. Because it's supposed to be close to the movie, my father will not see the movie ( though I still plan on it).
He's found it to be kind of dry, with some interesting tidbits on Lincoln. It's a bit too opinionated with more "what ifs" than most historical-based books should be. Because it's supposed to be close to the movie, my father will not see the movie ( though I still plan on it).
RECEIVED FREE FROM GOODREADS FIRST READS. I was delighted to read this collection of essays by people who have grappled with Lincoln and who’ve come to know him, each on her or his terms, and on Lincoln’s terms as well. Here are Lincolns that you’ll embrace, Lincolns you won’t recognize, Lincolns you'll be skeptical of or maybe angered by, and Lincolns who’ll add richness and depth to the Lincoln you already know.
This is a Goodreads First Reads review.
Weber provides an interesting compilation of essays of the life of Lincoln that nicely paints a full picture of the 16th president. Although most paint Lincoln in a positive light, I feel that they hold an objective view. There is one interview included that does not match up well with the other articles, especially since the interviewee does not seem to know about the book’s idea.
Weber provides an interesting compilation of essays of the life of Lincoln that nicely paints a full picture of the 16th president. Although most paint Lincoln in a positive light, I feel that they hold an objective view. There is one interview included that does not match up well with the other articles, especially since the interviewee does not seem to know about the book’s idea.
I won this gook on Goodreads. It is written very well with stimulating collections of essays. It explores Abraham Lincoln from many angles.It is amazing how the past is still the present in dealing with complex issues.
I received my first read book from goodread giveaway I personally love stories about Lincoln this book was detailed and interesting, sometimes you can read a story about the same subject and get bored with it but not with this book. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who may have an interest in learning a bit more of history.
I won this book via a Goodreads giveaway. This is a spectacular collection of essays, cartoons, pictures, and an interview about Lincoln (who happens to be my favorite President). It would be easy to make this collection redundant, but not so with this one--lots of tidbits, information, and ideas I had never before heard about Lincoln and it's fun to speculate about how Lincoln would operate in today's modern society. For anyone interested in learning more about Lincoln the man, the President, a...more
I won this book as a FirstRead.
It was interesting to read the authors' takes on how Lincoln might have handled some of the issues that have come up since his death, such as the Great Depression, women's suffrage, and the war on terror. The one thing that bothered me about the book was that, since each chapter was written by a different person, several facts were repeated many times in the book. I have not yet seen the movie that this book is a companion to, but I look forward to seeing it after...more
It was interesting to read the authors' takes on how Lincoln might have handled some of the issues that have come up since his death, such as the Great Depression, women's suffrage, and the war on terror. The one thing that bothered me about the book was that, since each chapter was written by a different person, several facts were repeated many times in the book. I have not yet seen the movie that this book is a companion to, but I look forward to seeing it after...more
Reads more like a textbook. Lincoln's own words were moving and a nice insight into this president's life. The essays did not always make sense, but were intelligent. Have to apparently watch the film to get some of the essays.
Lincoln: A President for the Ages
Karl Weber
GoodReads First Reads Giveaway Review
Lincoln: A President for the Ages
Karl Weber
GoodReads First Reads Giveaway Review
SM
I am a huge Lincoln fan. All I have to say about this book is BUY IT & READ IT!! I was not disappointed at all! Too bad he is not alive!
An interesting look at the various personalities of Lincoln, arguably the greatest president of the United States. Even if you are a Lincoln buff, you'll find something about him in this book of compelling essays that you didn't know.
I got this book via Goodreads give-a-way and could not put it down. If you are a history fan or a fan of current events, I would suggest this book. The tie between Lincoln's times and how Lincoln might view today's events is done in a way that it seems the authors were getting the views directly from the man himself.
THIS IS A FASCINATING BOOK TO READ. I REALLY ENJOYED READING THIS BOOK. I LEARNED A LOT FROM THIS GIVEAWAY.
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Karl Weber, president of Karl Weber Literary, is a writer, editor, and book developer with over twenty-five years' experience in the book publishing industry. He is an expert in general-interest non-fiction publishing, specializing in topics from business and personal finance to politics, current affairs, history, autobiography, self-help, and personal development.
Weber's recent projects include t...more
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