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67th out of 340 books
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939 voters
Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years and the War Years
Civil War and history buffs--as well as all lovers of fine writing--will delight in the detail and accuracy of Carl Sandburg's definitive, best-known biography of "Honest Abe." Representing a lifetime of study by the great American poet, "Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years and The War Years distills Sandburg's monumental six volume set into a single one-book edition. By gl...more
Hardcover, 776 pages
Published
August 1st 2005
by Galahad Books
(first published 1926)
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4/13 - My mother bought me the 6-volume Sangamon edition at an old bookstore in Sonoma, CA. I opened the first red-bound volume of "The Prairie Years" on Lincoln's 200th birthday after visiting his birthplace in Hodgenville and then driving across Kentucky to Springfield, IL. I started "The War Years" in 2010, 150 years after Lincoln's first election in 1860, and have pretty much kept pace a volume at a time, following his presidency 150 years later. So I just finished Volume Four, covering 1863...more
Look, there are obviously lots of Lincoln biographies out there, and I have read many of them, but after having read this book, I have concluded that the others are merely imitations of Sandburg (some of them very good imitations, certainly, and worth your time, but imitations nonetheless).
Consider that this book is a condensed version of Sandburg's six-volume (!) biography of Lincoln, and you realize that its level of detail is merely suggestive of the detail to be found in the six-volume set.
Consider that this book is a condensed version of Sandburg's six-volume (!) biography of Lincoln, and you realize that its level of detail is merely suggestive of the detail to be found in the six-volume set.
It is easy to see why Carl Sandburg's account of Abraham Lincoln is so beloved, since it focuses so much on Lincoln the folk hero. I enjoyed this book a lot, though its style (kind of a Thomas Wolfe rip off) got on my nerves after a while.
Two Lincoln anecdotes I highlighted, which give a good sense of the book's tone:
"Protests of innocence often came from men plainly guilty. They reminded Lincoln of a governor who visited a state prison. The convicts one by one had the same story of innocence an...more
Two Lincoln anecdotes I highlighted, which give a good sense of the book's tone:
"Protests of innocence often came from men plainly guilty. They reminded Lincoln of a governor who visited a state prison. The convicts one by one had the same story of innocence an...more
This is a biography of Lincoln by the esteemed poet Carl Sandburg. I was born just up the road, US Route 34 (in Kewanee), from his home town of Galesburg, Illinois. Thus, I have always had a soft spot for this version of Lincoln's life
As a poet, Sandburg's version tends to be more epic and mythical--and less critical--in its examination of Lincoln. For all of that, the book still works well. The first part, "The Prairie Years," recounts Lincoln's youth and early career before he attained the pr...more
As a poet, Sandburg's version tends to be more epic and mythical--and less critical--in its examination of Lincoln. For all of that, the book still works well. The first part, "The Prairie Years," recounts Lincoln's youth and early career before he attained the pr...more
Jun 30, 2009
Nolan
added it
First, what can you really say new or different about Lincoln that hasn’t already been written scores of times somewhere. The answer is, there’s nothing new to say, and that’s precisely why you keep reading more. A Kansas legislator summed up my feelings far better than ever I can. These are the words of Homer Hoch, who gave this tribute to Lincoln during a speech he made in the House of Representatives on February 12, 1923. “There is no new thing to be said about Lincoln. There is no new thing...more
I wanted to learn more about Lincoln....and this book delivered. Wonderful writing with plenty of detail.
Jan 28, 2009
Wendee
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Americans
Shelves:
inspirational,
historical-non-fiction
My kids and I have taken an interest in Abe Lincoln and have enjoyed the illustrations as well as the stories in this book. In fact, we used it in our family's Memorial Day devotional, which was very powerful in educating us about those who have gone before and what they have accomplished for our liberties.
"Abraham Lincoln. The War Years", Carl Sandburg. 1939. The majority of CarlSandburg's epic work "Abraham Lincoln. The War Years" is arapid fire, stoic onslaught offacts, figures and information. Clearly hisexperience as a tenaciousChicagonews paper manpermeatesthe majorityof his book. When hestumbles upon a character, place or event that sparks personal interests, his journalistic writing style is quickly cast aside and Carl Sandburg,the beloved poet, emerges. The change in gears is often abrupt...more
I've been reading a lot this year, and the more books I pore over, the more disgruntled I become. It was in reading this book, strangely, that I realized the possible cause: the range of narrative voice employed by authors (especially contemporary "literary" ones) is extremely limited. The opening few pages of Sandburg's second of three volumes on Lincoln reads like his poetry, which reads a lot like Whitman's poetry. It is flowing, free and expansive, lyrical. The rest reads like a history book...more
3 likes · like · see review
Abraham Lincoln lived before he became a politician. He farmed, he worked on the Mississippi River hauling freight, he labored with ordinary people. He truly was born in a cabin with a dirt floor. He had no benefit of an education, but devoured every book that he could get his hands on, eventually becoming a lawyer. This unabridged version of his biography chronicles every part of his professional life. Lincoln was a man with a dry sense of humor. He was a great storyteller. He was a modest man....more
Excellent. The classic text, and for a reason. Some of the anecdotes and prairie wisdom seem slightly dated. My Mom provided me with this excellent illustrated edition filled with photos, political cartoons, etc... American history could have been much different, if Jubal Early had succeeded in taking Washington in 1863 (he came close enough for Lincoln personally to be among the whir of bullets), or if the Army of Northern Virginia had turned north before Bull Run. The power and wisdom the Linc...more
This such a great book, and it made me fall in love with Mr. Lincoln.
I read this when I was a senior in high school, and when I finished the final volume after nearly two months of reading, I cried because there was no more to read. This is an amazing rendition of Abraham Lincoln's life. If you read it out loud, it is beautiful to hear. It is a pleasure to have the words roll off of one's tongue. A few of Carl Sandburg's poems are this way, such as "Choose Something Like a Star." If I am not mistaken, this is the longest and most comprehensive biography that has...more
Wow....what a great book. I figured before I allowed Spielberg and Daniel Day Lewis to poison my mind with their view of Lincoln, I'd go to the source and read this Pulitzer Prize winning bio. I'm glad I did. Sandburg is a great writer in the same vein as Barbara Tuchman and William Manchester. He paints a vivid portrait of Lincoln....I highly recommend this book. You may not learn a lot you didn't know, but I guarantee you that you will put the book down and think deeply about matters. What a g...more
2 likes · like · see review
Mar 06, 2008
Geoff W
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone who thinks Lincoln was great
What a piece of shit this guy was...
On survey after survey, historians and the general public alike always pick Abraham Lincoln as our greatest president. While he was a good man, he was a lousy president. I give four reasons:
#1) He suspended the writ of habeas corpus during the war.
#2) He didn't free a single person from slavery (in fact he wanted to deport the slaves back to Africa).
#3) He prolonged the war by allowing trade to continue between the north and south and also by not allowing the...more
On survey after survey, historians and the general public alike always pick Abraham Lincoln as our greatest president. While he was a good man, he was a lousy president. I give four reasons:
#1) He suspended the writ of habeas corpus during the war.
#2) He didn't free a single person from slavery (in fact he wanted to deport the slaves back to Africa).
#3) He prolonged the war by allowing trade to continue between the north and south and also by not allowing the...more
Oct 01, 2012
Summerworld
is currently reading it
Just started reading after watching American Masters segment on Carl Sandburg and in anticipation of the Lincoln movie coming out soon. About 50 pages in and really enjoying it... love historical non-fiction and the amount of research done for this biography is amazing! Lots of details about Lincoln's parents.. really interesting American frontier history... hard to believe it was all just 200 years ago. Great read.... love getting into bed with ths book every night!
When I heard of the forthcoming movie "Lincoln" directed by Stephen Spielberg and starring Daniel Day Lewis, I went back to re-read this Pulitzer Prize-winning biography written by Carl Sandburg. It was written at a time - the 1920's and 30's - when Civil War soldiers were still alive, and Abraham Lincoln was still part of living (though fading) memory. It is beautifully written historical biography, and Sandburg isn't afraid to tell a story, to convey the sights, sounds, and smells of the envir...more
One of the best books I have ever read. Until I read this book I failed to understand what an amazing man Abraham Lincoln was. Reading this book reminded me of reading the Old Testament of the Holy Bible, except it was far more readable. Abraham Lincoln was like Abraham and Moses, the prophets. Before reading this book, I also underestimated how fascinating President Lincoln's pre-presidency life was.
Most people will recognize Carl Sandburg as an American poet, not a historian. Sandburg was born in Illinois just three years after Lincoln was assassinated, and grew up hearing many people who knew Lincoln still talking about him. This was pretty good, but not quite the biography of Lincoln I was looking for. There isn't enough about Lincoln the man, but perhaps no biographer will be able to capture that.
If you only read one book about the Civil War and about Abraham Lincoln, this should be the book. Sandburg's six volumes are breathtaking productions and provide a magisterial account of Lincoln, his times, the Civil War and a cast of characters that rival all of Shakespeare's. If these books weren't almost too heavy to pick up they'd be impossible to put down.
Jan 03, 2013
Janet Wilcox
is currently reading it
The edition I'm reading was Sandburg's first volume of a five volume Lincoln biography. This book was my Mom's and is a 1926 edition. I've had it for years without reading it, but after going to the movie Lincoln a few weeks ago, got the motivation to read more. He writes with poetic description, depth and insight normally not found in history books.
A superb one-volume version of Sandburg's six-volume biography of our most cherished and beloved president; from "The Prairie Years" of Lincoln'c youth in Kentucky and Illinois, training himself in the law, and in practical, frontier politics, to his successful bid for the presidency during the bitter and divisive 1860 campaign; and finally the enormous challenges he confronted during "The War Years" of his presidency.
Aside from the personality and character of Lincon himself, who literally and...more
Aside from the personality and character of Lincon himself, who literally and...more
it took years to get this treasure from my daughter who picked it up for me from a cute corner bookstore in santa barbara and sent to me by usmail.american civil war is always an expression of what is the supreme nature of human beings to maintain dignity of human values.subjugation of any sorts is unacceptable.
The edition I am reading of "The War Years" is in 4 volumes totaling 2,500 pages. I have just completed volume 1. It is artfully written but a little dlow going just because of the detail and intricate politics. I will be continuing on with the series after a brief time out.
Civil War and history buffs--as well as all lovers of fine writing--will delight in the detail and accuracy of Carl Sandburg's definitive, best-known biography of "Honest Abe." Representing a lifetime of study by the great American poet, "Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years and The War Years distills Sandburg's monumental six volume set into a single one-book edition. By gleaning every possible reference from history, literature, and popular lore, Sandburg successfully captures not only the legen...more
I really enjoyed the first part of this book and still have yet to read the third part... Part I explores our 16th President's formative years and has a lot to say to the character and demeanor of this gawky looking man. That Geico commercial might not be too far off!
This was an excellent book. The portrayal of Mr. Lincoln as a man in the right place at the right time in order to preserve our union is clearly presented. He had many inner feelings or warnings, that he would not live much beyond the accomplishment of saving the union. He knew that he would not live through his second presidency. Even his death seemed foreordained inasmuch as many things could have happened to prevent Booth from accomplishing his devilish purpose. People that knew about his pla...more
This is a condensed version. I have read all six original volumes of both books when I was a kid. ONe of the best if not the best and most thorough biography ever written. Writers are around to write this well anymore.
I have always been touched by Sandburg's protrayal of Lincoln's death and can picture the train carrying his body across the country while the people, white and black, lined the the tracks to say their goodbyes.
I enjoyed it, I am a big fan of any book about Lincoln, but, unfortunately like many biographies about this man NO mention of his vampire hunting youth. If you can get over that then you will enjoy.
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Carl August Sandburg was an American writer and editor, best known for his poetry. He won two Pulitzer Prizes, one for his poetry and another for a biography of Abraham Lincoln. H. L. Mencken called Carl Sandburg "indubitably an American in every pulse-beat".
For more info see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_San...
More about Carl Sandburg...
For more info see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_San...
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“One of the great Confederate combat leaders, General John B. Gordon, had sat at his horse and spoken farewell to his men. Some he had seen weeping as they folded burnt and shot-pierced battle flags and laid them on the stacked arms of surrender. As he told his troops his own grief he tried to give them hope to rebuild out of the poverty and ashes to which many would return. Gordon would never forget a Kentucky father who lost two sons, one dying for the North, the other for the South. Over the two graves of his soldier boys the father set up a joint monument inscribed "God knows which was right.”
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Sep 13, 2012 09:50pm