Becoming Lincoln

by William W. Freehling

Previous biographies of Abraham Lincoln--universally acknowledged as one of America's greatest presidents--have typically focused on his experiences in the White House. In Becoming Lincoln, renowned historian William Freehling instead emphasizes the prewar years, revealing how Lincoln came to be the extraordinary leader who would guide the nation through its most bitter chapter.

Freehling's engaging narrative focuses anew on Lincoln's journey. The epic highlights Lincoln's difficult family life, first with his father and later with his wife. We learn about the staggering number of setbacks and recoveries Lincoln experienced. We witness Lincoln's famous embodiment of the self-made man (although he sought and received critical help from others).

The book traces Lincoln from his tough childhood through incarnations as a bankrupt with few prospects, a superb lawyer, a canny two-party politician, a great orator, a failed state legislator, and a losing senatorial candidate, to a winning presidential contender and a besieged six weeks as a pre-war president.

As Lincoln's individual life unfolds, so does the American nineteenth century. Few great Americans have endured such pain but been rewarded with such success. Few lives have seen so much color and drama. Few mirror so uncannily the great themes of their own society. No one so well illustrates the emergence of our national economy and the causes of the Civil War.

The book concludes with a substantial epilogue in which Freehling turns to Lincoln's wartime presidency to assess how the preceding fifty-one years of experience shaped the Great Emancipator's final four years. Extensively illustrated, nuanced but swiftly paced, and full of examples that vividly bring Lincoln to life for the modern reader, this new biography shows how an ordinary young man from the Midwest prepared to become, against almost absurd odds, our most tested and successful president.

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

384 pages, Hardcover

Published September 25, 2018

About the author

William W. Freehling is Singletary Professor of the Humanities Emeritus at the University of Kentucky

Reviews

[Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ok, but not very interesting. I expected more from this author. The book chronicles Lincoln's life from birth through the Civil War years. At times the author seems to be trying too hard to make the narrative into some form of prose or poetry. I would not recommend this book unless the reader was a fan of the author previously.

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freehling analyzes the development of Lincoln's politics from the days of supporting a grandiose plan for internal improvements in the Illinois state legislature -- one that nearly bankrupted the state -- through his blunders in a short Congressional career and ultimately to the articulation of a position on slavery that defined the Republican party and won him the presidency. Freehling hews tightly to his own thesis and through line as he tells his story, but it's a good argument and one that illuminates the details and fine points of Lincoln's political skill through the opening days of the Civil War and the face-off over who will fire the first shot.

This is not a full-on biography of Lincoln. It you're looking for life of Lincoln, read David Herbert Donald's biography (there are other recent ones, too). If you'd like more context for Lincoln's politics, read Eric Foner's The Fiery Trial. But if you're already an avid reader of Lincoln biography, this one is well worth your time.

There are occasional frustrations in the writing--efforts at precision that end up more muddled and awkward than exact. But not a major flaw.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent study of Lincoln! Having a very solid understanding of the basics of Abraham Lincoln's life is essential to get the most from this work. It's a capstone book. The author's framework stresses that Lincoln's overarching vision was one of economic opportunity. This study is second only to Gabor Boritt's masterful "Lincoln and the Economics of the American Dream" in attempting to explain Abraham Lincoln's philosophy.

[Ken Wahe · Rating 3 out of 5]

not the best Lincoln read....somewhat dense and confusing for me....not a fast read as you often have to stop and really think about what the author has said....and I speak as a holder of masters in American history from Iowa....well respected historian,too thought provoking.... if this was a course requisite, I would have filled pages with notes.... I guess I didn't want to work that hard.... my fault, my mistake

[Michael Lehman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite book on Lincoln, but I learned a couple new things. My favorite part was the Epilogue. He did a great job of showing how and why Lincoln was methodical in his growth towards change.

[Joe Artz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thoroughly researched and delivered, but the prose was stilted, choppy, which made the book a difficult and unpleasurable read.

[Raul Camacho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice in depth view!