The first full-length portrait of the marriage of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln in more than fifty years, The Lincolns is a fascinating new work of...
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Feb 20, 2010
Lisa
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I have read many books about Lincoln and the Civil War, so I did not run into a great deal of new information here. But what made this book stand out is that the Civil War was a secondary story to the story of a marriage of two intelligent, passionate, extraordinary people. This story was about how these two people made their mark on history and the price they paid for it--individually and in their marriage. Like all marriages, the Lincoln's had its good times and bad. They weathered many hard t
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Jan 29, 2010
Heidi
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I haven't read many books on Lincoln, but the more I learn beyond my high school social studies class, the more he emerges as a sympathethic and fascinating man. He obviously had a singular intelligence and the unique ability to attract capable men and women to his side.
Although this book deals mainly with the relationship between Mary and Lincoln, it also does a fair bit of analysis of Lincoln's political aspirations and achievements (whetting my appetite to tackle the enormous t More...
Although this book deals mainly with the relationship between Mary and Lincoln, it also does a fair bit of analysis of Lincoln's political aspirations and achievements (whetting my appetite to tackle the enormous t More...
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Feb 05, 2009
This book may not be the final word on the Lincolns' marriage, but it is hardly doomed for the discount bin. Overall, critics were divided. The historically minded disliked Epstein's endless hypothesizing, particularly in his speculative narration of the goings-on in the Lincolns' bedroom. But then Epstein is not the typical Lincoln scholar; his other publications include several books of poetry and a biography of Nat King Cole. The less-fastidious critics enjoyed Epstein's eccentric tale of an
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Mar 03, 2010
Chris
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I liked this book. It really is a close examination of the Lincoln's marriage relationship based on the historical record, set in the context of the extraordinary times in which they lived. It would be really easy to point to the flaws of both marriage partners and their failures in the tragedy that was their lives, but to the end they loved and cared deeply for each other. Both carried difficult burdens. Lincoln endured his wife's mental illness. She struggled through long periods without him w
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May 09, 2011
Scott
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A GREAT BOOK. Much better than the mediocre reviews. Kept me up nights. A history textbook that reads like a thriller. This book isn't just about his marriage. Its more about his family life, love and close friendships, his brilliant mind and political rise, his personal and professional losses, many deaths and struggles, and also plenty of wit and laughter. This book is a must read for those who enjoy history. It's quite an accomplishment.
A lot of the negative reviews are from those wh More...
A lot of the negative reviews are from those wh More...
Jan 16, 2011
Pamela
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This was a moving, compassionate look at the complexity of Mary Todd and Abraham Lincoln and their rocky marriage. The book does not seem one sided in its examination of either and does not automatically label her as crazy as some books do. It does show the decline in her mental stability always accompanied by her intense love of Lincoln, even though he was gone for almost half of their married life. The book also reveals his distraction and solitariness (which must have been so frustrating to
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Jul 19, 2009
Matt
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I came into this book with a certain point of view: that Mary Lincoln had been unfairly maligned by History. When people say, "Mary Lincoln was crazy," I'd rebut: try having three of your four children perish before adulthood; suffer a debilitating carriage accident that changes your brain chemistry; attempt living with a melancholic husband (who is trying to save the Union, by the way); and then sit next to your husband when he's shot in the head by a fanatic. Then test your sanity.
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May 17, 2011
Ebookwormy
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Abraham Lincoln is one of the most revered individuals of the modern age. And not just in America, but around the world. I heard once that more books have been written about Abraham Lincoln than any other American. I don't know if it's true, but it wouldn't surprise me if it were. Lincoln's accomplishments in the midst of national and personal tragedy are inspiring.
On the other hand, while Illinoisan's are eager to claim Lincoln, his wife who also grew up in Kentucky and immigrated t More...
On the other hand, while Illinoisan's are eager to claim Lincoln, his wife who also grew up in Kentucky and immigrated t More...
Aug 04, 2008
J.M.
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An intimate look at Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd.
A great deal is known and has been written about Abraham Lincoln’s humble beginnings, his business failures, his presidency and his death. Until now, no one has put together the history of Lincoln and Mary Todd’s courtship and marriage or peered behind the historical mystique into the heart of this famous couple’s devotion. Daniel Mark Epstein bares the hearts and minds of the Lincolns.
Using a novelist’s sensibilities and More...
A great deal is known and has been written about Abraham Lincoln’s humble beginnings, his business failures, his presidency and his death. Until now, no one has put together the history of Lincoln and Mary Todd’s courtship and marriage or peered behind the historical mystique into the heart of this famous couple’s devotion. Daniel Mark Epstein bares the hearts and minds of the Lincolns.
Using a novelist’s sensibilities and More...
Dec 21, 2008
Carrie
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This book has been criticized for not offering any particularly new knowledge or insight, but I loved how deftly Epstein weaves together the couple's political and domestic lives, particularly through the use of letters they sent and received. The book reads like a very sad novel, and even though I knew the ending, I had trouble putting it down. I also appreciate that the author is so attentive to Mary's mental illness and tries to rationalize her behavior, to the extent that it's possible.
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Mar 22, 2009
Harriet
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This readable book focuses on the marriage of the Lincolns, ending with the assassination. It painted a well-rounded portrait of Mary Todd Lincoln, who was not just the shopaholic, grief-stricken figure we think of. Instead, we see someone who was well-educated, politically astute and more ambitious than her husband. Neither of them come across as very good parents and the sections on the relationship with their sons were rather heartbreaking.
Jul 27, 2011
This would be a good book if you were well-versed in Lincoln's political career at the start. I know that the subject was Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln's marriage, not the entire story of AL. But I found myself wanting to hear more about the political context than Epstein was giving. Otherwise, well-written and very engaging.
Aug 03, 2010
Carolyn
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A somewhat disappointing look at the Lincoln's marriage. The author spent a lot of time on what was going on politically, a topic that has been well covered in other books. I was hoping for real insight into their marriage, but came away with the realization that there just isn't enough accurate information to do that.
Jan 28, 2009
Frances
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The book is poorly written history with unneccesary filler added. I almost feel it should be listed as historical fiction because the author treats as fact infomation that would only be known to Abraham and Mary Lincoln and could in no way be documented. Discussing a marriage is difficult because only the two people involved know the true story. There are many good books on the Lincolns but I will not recommend this book.
Aug 16, 2009
Theresa
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to be fair, another book i gave up on, so maybe it got better in the end -- but it had so much (uninteresting) detail it sucked the life out of the story. it became so tedious, i gave up and put the book down (and not in my "to be picked up later" pile).
Feb 09, 2009
Megan
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Picked this up because Team of Rivals is too heavy to carry around; I'll save that for my maternity leave. I was looking for a historical work that would read like a novel, which is what the reviews indicated it would be. It was, unfortunately, very slow and kind of tedious.
Jun 19, 2009
Nancy
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At many points this came dangerously close to historical fiction as the author makes repeated assertions about thoughts or emotions the Lincolns had. That said, I think it is well-written and insightful.
I found myself depressed by the constant emotional trauma, illness and death both Lincolns faced. If poor Mary Lincoln could just have had some psychotropic drugs, stat.
I found myself depressed by the constant emotional trauma, illness and death both Lincolns faced. If poor Mary Lincoln could just have had some psychotropic drugs, stat.
Sep 09, 2010
Karen
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Unique glimpse into the marriage of the Lincolns. They were not the people I thought they were, but they had many of the same traits most marriages people have. Very engaging.
Oct 17, 2009
elizabeth
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This was an extraordinary look at the Lincolns and their lives together which included loss, struggle and mental illness. Mary Todd Lincoln was by far the most interesting. The book ends with Lincoln's death and the author's note that Mary's last 17 years without Abe deserved a book of it's own. I would highly recommend this book.
Aug 02, 2011
G.
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Well written. A unique perspective. Makes you see how much the power behind the throne can help/or hinder a rise to power.
Aug 08, 2011
Barbara
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Interesting but dry. Gave me some new ways to look at the history of the era
Sep 09, 2009
Amy
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Fascinating and quite eye-opening. A very good read.
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Dec 04, 2009
Abby
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Detailed and engrossing narrative about the relationship of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln. However, I do wish their personal sagas had been more strongly juxtaposed against the events of the war (for example, we hear almost nothing about personal or familial influence upon the declaration of civil war, the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, etc.) Also, there is almost nothing about Lincoln's family and background while there is a surfeit of material about the Todds.
Jun 01, 2009
Charlotte
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This book is very informative about both mary and Abe but the book could have been edited better.
Dec 16, 2010
Rick
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Good book and well written. I love reading about Lincoln. But a lot of it seemed like the author's supposition and extrapolation, particularly with respect to the early years. Since I listened to the audiobook, I couldn't check out the references, if any, and had to take a lot of the book with a grain of salt. Very good writing though.
Sep 09, 2010
Antonia
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A fascinating story about the relationship between Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary. The story is captivating, particularly the decline of Mary's mental condition through the years. Note: this is truly a book about the Lincolns; Lincoln scholars will be disappointed that there is not more focus on historical events.
Feb 28, 2009
Patricia
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I enjoyed reading this book because it fleshed out the characters of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln within the context of that historical time. I really got a feel for the way they lived, where they came from, and their relationships with each other, friends, and family. Fascinating!
Jan 12, 2009
Bonnie
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Mary Lincoln has has some bad press over the years and through this book I learned how much Abe and Mary were in love. Her love and support of him and his career are supported with rich detail of daily life, much of which was without him by her side.
Feb 04, 2011
Scrumhalf
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Done! Took me a long time to finish and although it was boring in some parts, other parts were unforgettable. Loved loved loved the last chapter. Recently been obsessed with Lincoln which probably helped me power through the slower sections.
