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Did Lincoln Own Slaves?: And Other Frequently Asked Questions About Abraham Lincoln
In the bicentennial year of Lincoln's birth, here is the one indispensable book that provides all you need to know about our most revered president in a lively and memorable question-and-answer format.You will learn whether Lincoln could dunk a basketball or tell a joke. Was he the great emancipator or a racist? If he were alive today, could he get elected? Did he die rich? Did scientists raise Lincoln from the dead? From the seemingly lighthearted to the most serious Gerald Prokopowicz tackles each question with balance and authority, and weaves a complete, satisfying biography that will engage young and old, scholars and armchair historians alike.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
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70 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 30, 2022
Giving this 2.5 cause unless you REALLY care about Lincoln I wouldn’t recommend.
The craziest thing to me was that Lincoln great grandson died in 1985. Like slavery feels so long ago but it really wasn’t.
The craziest thing to me was that Lincoln great grandson died in 1985. Like slavery feels so long ago but it really wasn’t.
February 18, 2020
In the foreword to this book, the author downplays its usefulness, especially to interested students of history. As an interested student of history, while I understand that this book doesn't go into the detail that a long biography of Lincoln would, I defend this book as an incredibly readable and interesting book about the 16th president. Well organized, the book deals with much of Lincoln's life, with well-researched details about specific incidents or periods. Moreover, the author's voice is great...he keeps the book moving quickly without letting it become too serious, and he covers some very difficult concepts in a very even handed and unflinching manner. Definitely worth the time to read.
December 18, 2025
I really found this book to be interesting. The author, a Lincoln scholar, answers many of the most common frequently asked questions asked about Abraham Lincoln. It was intensely interesting. I found it to be easily digestible and completely engaging.
If you are looking for a biography on Lincoln, you should look elsewhere (though the author does give his recommendation for the best and worst Lincoln books). But if you want to cut through the Lincoln myth learn a great deal about Lincoln the man, then this is a great book to start with.
If you are looking for a biography on Lincoln, you should look elsewhere (though the author does give his recommendation for the best and worst Lincoln books). But if you want to cut through the Lincoln myth learn a great deal about Lincoln the man, then this is a great book to start with.
January 17, 2022
A great book about the monumental man comparing historical documents in an easy to digest format.
January 6, 2016
pg. 90 "You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage-payer. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves." Ronald Reagan 1992 erroneously attributed to Lincoln.
pg. 172 Lincoln didn't believe the Constitution gave the federal gov. the authority to interfere with "domestic" arrangements within the states, including slavery."... "were it already existed." pg. 173
students are taught the Civil War was all about abolishing slavery, this book explains it wasn't, but the author also contradicts himself two pages later. pg. 175...:it put the Union on the side of freedom, and gave the war a new moral dimension. (emancipation procl.)
pg. 177 Q: "why didn't Lincoln pay slave holders for their slaves? That would've been easier than fighting a war."
A: Lincoln understood enough about Sothern concepts of honor and race to know how an offer like that would go over.
The truth is the war didn't begin over slavery and Lincoln had intentions of starting a black colony, but the men he discussed this with didn't have any interest. pgs. 178-179
pg. 180 Lincoln's valet was dark skinned and the light-skinned WH servants objected to his darkness. (there isn't information in this book as to the wage given to his valet). There is a female slave the Lincoln's borrowed, but again, no mention as to who received payment, the slave or the owners.
pg. 184 Restoration of white supremacy wasn't just in the South, the North had restricted neighborhoods.
pg. 226 In the era of reconciliation, the white majority in the North and South were ready to put the war and its causes (especially slavery) behind them: An unspoken agreement arose: The South would forget that it had seceded to preserve slavery, and the North would forget about enforcing the 14th & 15th amendments., which were supposed to guarantee civil rights and the vote to the former slaves.
pg. 238 there's a great joke about a current president and what Lincoln would recommend.
After each chapter are further reading suggestions for each topic; his early years, politician, emancipator, etc.
the author even suggests books he doesn't necessarily agree with, but feels they are good for comparison.
It's definitely worth the read if for nothing else the list of suggested reading.
pg. 172 Lincoln didn't believe the Constitution gave the federal gov. the authority to interfere with "domestic" arrangements within the states, including slavery."... "were it already existed." pg. 173
students are taught the Civil War was all about abolishing slavery, this book explains it wasn't, but the author also contradicts himself two pages later. pg. 175...:it put the Union on the side of freedom, and gave the war a new moral dimension. (emancipation procl.)
pg. 177 Q: "why didn't Lincoln pay slave holders for their slaves? That would've been easier than fighting a war."
A: Lincoln understood enough about Sothern concepts of honor and race to know how an offer like that would go over.
The truth is the war didn't begin over slavery and Lincoln had intentions of starting a black colony, but the men he discussed this with didn't have any interest. pgs. 178-179
pg. 180 Lincoln's valet was dark skinned and the light-skinned WH servants objected to his darkness. (there isn't information in this book as to the wage given to his valet). There is a female slave the Lincoln's borrowed, but again, no mention as to who received payment, the slave or the owners.
pg. 184 Restoration of white supremacy wasn't just in the South, the North had restricted neighborhoods.
pg. 226 In the era of reconciliation, the white majority in the North and South were ready to put the war and its causes (especially slavery) behind them: An unspoken agreement arose: The South would forget that it had seceded to preserve slavery, and the North would forget about enforcing the 14th & 15th amendments., which were supposed to guarantee civil rights and the vote to the former slaves.
pg. 238 there's a great joke about a current president and what Lincoln would recommend.
After each chapter are further reading suggestions for each topic; his early years, politician, emancipator, etc.
the author even suggests books he doesn't necessarily agree with, but feels they are good for comparison.
It's definitely worth the read if for nothing else the list of suggested reading.
April 14, 2023
This book was a superb book on Lincoln. Despite being formatted like a large FAQ, it was very easy to follow and was incredibly well-written. I currently work at a Lincoln historic site and give tours there, so I like to think I know at least a little bit more about Lincoln than the average person. So some of the information in this book wasn’t new, and some was. But this book went deeper than just short articles and addressed more than just the common rumors I am asked about on my tours.
It’s informative enough to tell the whole story without bogging the reader down with too much information. But it doesn’t gloss over important facts. It’s well-written in that it doesn’t talk down to someone who doesn’t know the answers to the questions posed in the book (duh, they’re reading it to learn more about Lincoln), and the answers are intelligent and concise. At the end of each chapter, the author provides recommendations for further reading. I wish that it had a more updated list of books, as this was written in 2009.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking to learn more about Lincoln, but don’t have the time to dive into a heavy biography. This book covers his entire life and into his legacy. It’s easy to find the answer to your questions and is well organized, highly recommend.
It’s informative enough to tell the whole story without bogging the reader down with too much information. But it doesn’t gloss over important facts. It’s well-written in that it doesn’t talk down to someone who doesn’t know the answers to the questions posed in the book (duh, they’re reading it to learn more about Lincoln), and the answers are intelligent and concise. At the end of each chapter, the author provides recommendations for further reading. I wish that it had a more updated list of books, as this was written in 2009.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking to learn more about Lincoln, but don’t have the time to dive into a heavy biography. This book covers his entire life and into his legacy. It’s easy to find the answer to your questions and is well organized, highly recommend.
March 24, 2009
his is a nice bullet point read that is more a refresher if you've ever read more than a couple histories on Abe! I was also curious to see what people tend to ask. This is not, by any means, a comprehensive view, but the writer -- Gerald Prokopowicz -- seems amiable enough. I got it because I was reading my Kindle when a show came on the History Channel about how long it too Lincoln's body to finally be safe and at rest. People wanted to steal the body, he was occasionally hidden on the basement of his tomb under old boards, eventually the structure was no longer stable, and people kept wanting to look in the coffin to make sure he was really there. Anyhow, was in the mood for a Lincoln book that didn't tax me too much -- have more brainy, weighty choices in the TBR list.
July 20, 2009
An excellent, meticulously researched book full of all the Lincoln information you need to have a well rounded knowledge of the man. De-bunks many of the myths that surround the 16th president and gives an honest, not always perfect, picture of who he really was. As to did he own slaves, figure it out yourself. Here's a hint, Indiana and Illinois were never slave states. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...........
March 2, 2024
I picked up this book because I realized I was suffering the very misconception-based suspicion referenced by the title. Not only did I learn that Lincoln did not in fact own slaves, as suggested by sensationalist conspirators over time, but I enjoyed learning much more about the character, the speeches, and the legacy of the 16th president of my country. I appreciate the author’s format, expertise, and suggestions for further reading.
December 13, 2010
I liked the Q&A style of the book, it was informative and gave just enough information to be interesting but not overwhelming. The "additional suggested reading" sections were a great resource for parts I was more interested in.
Want to read
February 7, 2008Just beginning... Author is the host of a brilliant podcast show called Civil War Talk Radio.
February 26, 2012
Funny that the most frequently asked question about Honest Abe is was Lincoln gay?!
March 20, 2008
Virtually any question you may have about Lincoln is answered here, as well as many questions you might not even think to ask. Highly recommended.
Read
November 30, 2009I think this could have a better title.
June 9, 2009
Good starter if you haven't read anything on lincoln. Lincoln is not gay, and didn't own slaves....Audio book version
July 11, 2010
Nothing earthshakingly new in here, but some good information that could translate well into the classroom, especially an interpretation of Lincoln's views on slavery using his speeches.
January 11, 2011
Written in Q&A format and chockfull of fascinating facts -- a friendly tone combined with good scholarship.
Read
August 10, 2011Really enjoyable way to learn about Lincoln, with lots of references to great books for more information
June 11, 2012
A fun and balanced question-and-answer book about Lincoln. My 12 year old will pull this off the shelf and peruse its pages. Excellent.
July 13, 2012
nice history book about abraham lincoln
August 8, 2014
This is an easy read geared towards people who are not Lincoln historians. Fun to hear the kinds of questions that people ask. This book covers a lot of territory.
January 21, 2015
Listening to the audio version greatly helped pass the time while traveling over the holidays. Nothing new for the advanced Lincoln reader, but an interesting listen.
August 12, 2015
A great book to relax while learning few facts about one of the greatest minds of history.
September 3, 2015
Historically humorous. Good read. Not into history but this book had me engaged.
October 4, 2015
Some of the most often asked questions (I guess). The most interesting part of the book were the facts about the assassination..
February 16, 2020
Fantastic
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews