Lincoln as I Knew Him: Gossip, Tributes, and Revelations from His Best Friends and Worst Enemies (Paperback) - Common

by Harold Holzer

Abraham Lincoln, the president whose strength of character held the United States together during its most traumatic experience, the Civil War, was an enigmatic figure. Using extracts from the writings of those who knew him best, this handy, small-format book presents the man in all his contradictions. Intensely private and given to dark moods of melancholy, he was respected and loved for his easy accessibility, humor, and unfailing courtesy. Physical descriptions suggest what it must have been like in his presence: his towering height at six feet four inches; his strange face, "the despair of every artist who undertook his portrait"; and the intelligence and empathy that shone from deep-set eyes--features constantly commented on. Lincoln's disregard for the physical details of ordinary life--clothing, food, personal appearance--was genuine, though he was not above ruffling his hair before a photograph to enhance this impression. The anecdotes are chosen to bring out elements of Lincoln's character, for example, his honesty and legendary love of books: a relative tells of his working three days hay-making as a boy to pay for a borrowed Life of Washington damaged in the rain. From his deliberate writing of the Proclamation of Emancipation over many days, we deduce his cautious decision-making and highest moral standards, as well as his political shrewdness. Short descriptions of the writers place the extracts in context: useful guides, as the writers range from Lincoln's family and colleagues to bitter enemies, including his assassin. Lincoln As I Knew Him is biography at its most accessible, building a sympathetic portrait of an extraordinary personality and colossal historical figure. --John Stevenson

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

281 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1999

Reviews

[Dick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short book has comments from a wide variety of people(48 in all) who knew Lincoln. These include those close to him and knew him (as well as anyone did), political opponents, friends, political friends, and yes even some who did not like him.

Many, you would recognize, but many probably not. Some who knew him in a sort of intimate way – like the telegrapher near the Executive Manson, where Lincoln actually wrote much of the Emancipation Proclamation.

A witness at the Gettysburg dedication. As it turns out, the ride from the village to the cemetery on that cold November day was significant for Lincoln. For it was there that he literally found his faith. (to know more check: www.lincolntogo.net)

They describe him in a physical sense and talk about his unkempt appearance, hair often only occasionally combed and sometimes halfheartedly, not particular in his choice of clothing. Mary changed much of that, but not to her total satisfaction.

He loved to tell stories, funny mostly and many off color, by today’s standards. But then he came – literally from the frontier and traveled with other attorneys on the circuit who told many stories using similar language.

He comes across as very empathetic, forgiving, reticent, sad, identified with the poor and the helpless, a serious reader (knew the Bible very well and related to the book of Job, very deliberate, even plodding, etc.

Read out loud – drove his law partners nuts with that. But Lincoln said that he understood more and retained more by doing that. And remember part of his 1 year of full schooling was in a blab school.

One person said he looked like a schoolmaster.

There was a deep seated sadness in him, perhaps the seeds planted by his watching his mother pass away and having to not only help dig her grave, but whittle the wood pegs to keep the coffin together.

General McClellan called him a baboon.

His secretary of war – Edwin Stanton – described him as a gorilla during a railroad law suit trial. Lincoln knew that, but appointed Stanton t his cabinet anyway. Stanton came to love Lincoln, as most know now.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A neat little book that is a collection of reflections by people who had met Abraham Lincoln. Many of these came from unpublished sources, and told great anecdotal stories about Lincoln that even I had never heard. Harold Holzer was the editor and did a fine job organizing and explaining the sources for each reflection. Recommended for fans of Lincoln.

[Wesley Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a history buff, and someone that idolizes Abraham Lincoln, this book, that is based on 1st person accounts of one of our greatest presidents and statesmen, is a treasure house of information and insight. Those close to Lincoln were taken by his ability to concentrate and make wise decisions based on what he knew was best for the future of the country and the union. Even those that ridiculed his looks and mannerisms has to admire and follow his leadership. The examples of his cabinet members, most of whom were competitors and had every reason to disagree with Lincoln, were believers in his conclusions and policies. An absolute GREAT read.

[Jeanine Sk. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a difficult read. It took me a while to read in the style of the time as most of it was reprints of letters, stories and articles. It was interesting, but I just didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
I thought it was interesting that stories were gathered from such a wide range of people. From family, friends and people he worked with to authors, artists and military men that fought against him!

[Yuna Leek · Rating 4 out of 5]

not great for "big picture" lincoln stuff, but interesting enough. reading quotes from his enemies was funny. my fav president by far <3

and he did it all without combing his hair!! what an icon. george b. mcclellan doesn't know what he's talking about

[Sa Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and was enlightened by many excerpts from the contributors to the character of Lincoln. There are several things I didn't know such as the guard posted outside Lincoln's door at Ford Theater abandoned his post to watch the play and was a stand in for his regular guard that night.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collection of short reminiscent anecdotes from a variety of people close to Lincoln, mostly reverent but some sharp, and all personal. Makes me wish —again — that I could have known him too.

[David Coody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, sweet, and irresistible. The perfect coffee table book for any Lincoln lover.

[Tracy Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Years ago, I came face to face with a photograph of Lincoln in the American Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., taken just months before his assassination, and it mesmerized me. Such an amazing face: so gaunt, so worn, so full of sadness--and yet there was also a look in those eyes of a person who probably could tell a great joke, humor and tragedy contained in one gaze. This book helps flesh out the man in that photograph--little pixels that will never paint a complete picture, but which give you tantalizing glimpses of the human being. There's the lawyer who annoyed his office mates by reading aloud, the politician who loved to tell ribald stories, the President who once took an unwanted visitor by the collar and physically marched him to the door to kick him out, the father who collapsed in sobs at the deathbed of his son, Willie. Terrific stuff, all first-person accounts, drawn from original sources. I couldn't put it down.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The concept of this book is something I'd like to find on other historical figures. I love the idea of getting the words of such a variety of people who met Lincoln to say something to who and what he was.

A good read for the average history buff. It is possible that the THOROUGH history buff has read many of these 2 to 5 page writings, because they've already perused the sources. I've made a list of books I intend to find along the way--sources of the stories written here.

FUN read for the average history reader.

[Jan Olsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harold Holzer writes that “to understand Lincoln is to comprehend America itself - the democracy he symbolized with his rise and sanctified with his leadership.” And German Sherman wrote: “ Of all men I ever met, he seemed to possess more of the elements of greatness combined with goodness , than any other.” So many interesting remembrances of Lincoln are shared in this book from relatives, friends, generals, poets and writers that you really get to know the greatness of this man. How much this world needs someone of this character and decency and leadership.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book I learned much to apply to my own life from the greatest President we have ever had: loving patience with your children, no matter how unruly and what your responsibilities are; loyalty to the love of your life and your true friends; the importance of delaying action with aforethought; not to shy away from bold strokes in solving problems, even though your confreres tug in opposite directions.

[Gus Breymann · Rating 3 out of 5]

For anyone who has read a full-length biography of Lincoln, this collection of reminiscences by 50 people who knew him personally will not add a great deal. One exception is Frederick Douglass' account of his friendship with the president and how Lincoln regarded Douglass highly a friend. What remarkable men both were!

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting observations about Lincoln by family, friends, enemies, colleagues, military leaders, authors, journalist, and others, who were contemporaries of Lincoln. He was an amazing man and truly one of my heroes!

[Tom O · Rating 4 out of 5]

this dude rules

[Calvin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting historical literature from a boyhood friend of Lincoln.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

various snapshots of Lincoln through the mouths of people of his time.

[Dick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book read many years ago. Gave some good personal insights on President Lincoln. Good addition to any Lincoln library.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this. Holzer collected a variety of interesting, and very credible, sources. It gave me some titles of Lincoln books I'd like to read.

[Rico · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gift from Ted Eyring...fun to read.