Lincoln At Home: Two Glimpses Of Abraham Lincolns Family Life

by David Herbert Donald

A Lincoln biographer provides readers with a intimate portrait of the Lincoln family in the White House, from their less-than-spectacular entrance to that fateful night at Ford's Theater. 35,000 first printing.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, American History, Civil War, Presidents

128 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1999

About the author

Majoring in history and sociology, Donald earned his bachelor degree from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. He earned his PhD in 1946 under the eminent, leading Lincoln scholar, James G. Randall at the University of Illinois. Randall as a mentor had a big influence on Donald's life and career, and encouraged his protégé to write his dissertation on Lincoln's law partner, William Herndon. The dissertation eventually became his first book, Lincoln's Herndon, published in 1948. After graduating, he taught at Columbia University, Johns Hopkins and, from 1973, Harvard University. He also taught at Smith College, the University of North Wales, Princeton University, University College London and served as Harmsworth Professor of American History at Oxford University. At Johns Hopkins, Columbia, and Harvard he trained dozens of graduate students including Jean H. Baker, William J. Cooper, Jr., Michael Holt, Irwin Unger, and Ari Hoogenboom.

He received the Pulitzer Prize twice (1961 and 1988), several honorary degrees, and served as president of the Southern Historical Association. Donald also served on the editorial board for the Papers of Abraham Lincoln.

David H. Donald was the Charles Warren Professor of American History (emeritus from 1991) at Harvard University. He wrote over thirty books, including well received biographies of Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Wolfe and Charles Sumner. He specialized in the Civil War and Reconstruction periods, and in the history of the South.

Reviews

[Allison Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short read for early to late mid-level students or just anyone who enjoys learning about history. It takes about an hour to an hour and a half to read the entire book (depending on how determined you are). I actually enjoyed this book because I have always been fascinated with Abraham Lincoln. I really am not sure why I have always been interested in Lincoln other then the silly fact that he resembles my beloved grandfather-- tall and lanky.
In the short book, you get a look inside the life of Abraham Lincoln and his family. Half of the book is a narrative of the family and the other half is letters that they exchanged throughout the years. You learn of their love for one another and their hardships, as they lost children through numerous causes.
I rated this book a three simply because it was interesting, but not long enough to really enthrall me. It took me a few days to read it, but only because I live a fairly busy life. However, if I really sat down and dedicated an hour straight to read it, I could. Regardless, it was an informative and interesting little read, especially for a history fanatic like myself.

[Heloyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and easy read. The weight of the presidency and the war left little time for his family, but they were never far from Lincoln's heart.

[David Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Herbert Donald is a two time Pulitzer Prize winning historian highly respected in the Lincoln scholarship community. His most famous book is simply called "Lincoln," and is a must-read for everyone interested in our 16th President.

This book, "Lincoln at Home," is a thin volume giving "two glimpses" of Abraham Lincoln's family life. And glimpses are what they are. The first is based on a lecture Donald gave at the White House in 1990 at the invitation of then President George H.W. Bush. In it Donald gives superficial insights into the Lincoln family life. The information is delightful, though not particularly deep.

The second glimpse is reproduction of the extant letters between Lincoln and Mary and their eldest son Robert. The earliest letter occurs during Lincoln's one term as U.S. Congressman in 1848, from him to Mary while she was visiting with relatives in Kentucky. Many of the "letters" are actually telegraph messages during the Civil War as Mary traveled to New York and other points north to get away from the strain of the war. These telegraph messages are by necessity shorter and less intimate than the actual letters.

Overall the book is an interesting and quick to read view - glimpse is the correct word here - of their relationship. As such it barely scratches the surface. Very few letters and other correspondence remains between the couple, perhaps because Robert took control of all Lincoln's papers after his assassination and reportedly burned much of the private correspondence. The glimpses in this book are a nice introduction for those with little background on the pair, but anyone wishing to get a deeper analysis should read one of the full-length biographies, in particular those that focus on Mary and the marriage (e.g., by Jean Baker, Catherine Clinton, Daniel Mark Epstein, and Mary's niece, Katherine Helm).

[Doug Tabner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, short book by a preeminent Lincoln scholar. And when I say short, I mean it’s almost more of an extended essay than a book. It covers, in 55 pages, the basic trials and tribulations of the Lincolns in the White House. Even though they spent a goodly amount of time at the Soldier’s Home in order to escape the oppressive Washington heat, their time there is glossed over in just a few sentences.

Following the discussion of life in the White House is a collection of family letters. Most of these have been published elsewhere, and most are mundane. The letters section has the feeling of filler material included to make this long enough to be a short book.

If you’re not familiar with the topic, this is as good a place as any to start. If you have already read Donald’s excellent full length biography , or Ronald White’s, or any of the myriad of other Lincoln books that cover this subject, you’re not likely to find anything new here.

[Micaela - Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was about Abraham Lincoln’s life and it showed how he and his family moved into the White House right after he became President of the United States of America. They had to deal with the fact that everything in their lives was changing especially for Mary Lincoln and their children because they see how demanding the job is on the one man they all love and how he doesn’t have a lot of time to spend with his family. The time that Abraham does have with his family he enjoys but is most of the time cut short because he has a country to run don’t get me wrong even though he is the president of the United States he is still a very loving and caring husband, and father. Then the other part of this book is Abraham, Mary, and their children writing letters to each other because they weren’t always able to be in the same place together so that’s why they would write to one another to keep in touch and also to see how everyone was doing.

[Elizabeth Huffmaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This biography & collection of letters truly highlight the character of our 16th president as a caring, responsible, invested father of his children and leader of America. Donald's book reminds us that, though Lincoln was a powerful figure, he was also only a man. This book instills compassion and consideration for our fellow man, just as Lincoln fought for during his time as president. The Lincoln family letters reveal the hidden hardships faced during a pivotal time in American history, giving the reader a truly personal connection to Lincoln, his wife, and their children. I would recommend this book for students ages 12 and up - it highlights some aspects of life that may not be suitable for younger children, such as mental illness and marital disputes. I do think this collection would be an excellent classroom resource, allowing students to create their own timeline of history that combines major events with those more personal situations experienced by Lincoln.

[Michael Cawley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable Lincoln family stories and letters

[Janet Theriault · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief overview of Lincoln marriage and correspondence

[Jeremiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A short (32 pages) and pleasant biography of the Lincolns during their stay at the White House. It's followed by a series of uninteresting letters from Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln.

[Tonya Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives great insight into Abraham Lincoln’s family life. Personal details are often overshadowed by the importance of their presidency, which is completely understandable. That being said, I really enjoy getting that rare glimpse into the personal aspects of the lives of our Presidents. Seeing what they went through with the loss of children and how that affected them in more ways than one, to seeing the playfulness of President Lincoln around the children was just what I was looking for with this book. As I have said before, I have a bit of an obsession with presidents and I have been slowly working my way through biographies of each one starting from the beginning. I haven’t made it to President Lincoln officially yet but I am very excited for it when I get there. This is a quick easy read and worth a trip to the library or your local bookstore.

Happy Reading!

[Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book documents in detail Lincoln's personal correspondence, and shows a side of him that is often overshadowed by the Civil War. In his own words we see how human he was, and how troubled he was by the events of his personal life. The book is nearly all primary source, and is a relatively short read when compared with other catalogs of Lincoln's correspondence, as there are only short periods when President and Mrs. Lincoln were separated and few other correspondents. The periods that are documented, however, are pivotal moments in his life and the war.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A look at Lincoln through his personal correspondence with his wife and his oldest son. Overall, a quick, well written read. Donald does a great job of leading into the letters and reading through Lincoln's letters, all of them fairly short with some only a sentence in length, reveals Lincoln's gift of words. Whether he is merely updating Mary Todd on a series of events or expressing deeper emotions, the way he puts a sentence together has a poetic flair.

This book is a great read for both history/Lincoln fanatics as well as readers who don't remember much about American history.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

For such an important historical figure, I am very sad that there are not more personal letters that have been saved, discovered or found. I have been a lifelong admirer of Mr. Lincoln and was very happy to have found this small book shelved among the tomes that were written about his political and professional careers.

[James Dryer]

The "first glimpse" is excellent writing. The "second" are the letters that remain from the period of the Civil War, and are skeletal (as is mentioned) in their evidence as to what life was like for he, Mary and sons. Mary's fragility is mentioned tho'.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Rating System:
* not worth finishing, ** would not recommend, *** would recommend, **** would highly recommend, ***** have/would read again.