Dear Mr. Lincoln: Letters to the President

by Harold Holzer (Editor)

During the Civil War, Americans felt themselves to be on intimate terms with their commander in chief, sending President Abraham Lincoln between two hundred and five hundred pieces of mail every day—letters that expressed the concerns, aspirations, grievances, and obsessions of the nation. Ranging from weighty political tomes to greetings accompanying homespun gifts, the letters reflect the pulse of the country in a time of upheaval. This illuminating collection includes straightforward correspondence from ordinary Americans requesting autographs and favors as well as pleas from the influential, such as the anguished open letter from New York Tribune publisher Horace Greeley imploring Lincoln to end his “remiss” policy of caution on emancipation. This new paperback edition, featuring twenty-two illustrations, portrays a president clearly eager to review and respond to the advice, criticism, and requests of the nation’s citizens.

Genres: History, Civil War

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Will Waller]

If you're looking for letters to the president for a term paper or you're a Lincoln lover of the nth degree, this is the book for you. I'm doing neither and am neither. Because of this, this book of documents doesn't mean a lot to me. It's got some summaries at the start of chapters which help but mostly it is a book of strange punctuation and specific requests for jobs. Not the best, by far, primary source document I've ever read.

[Ron]

Interesting as it shows the parallels of those who both agreed and dissented with presidents in the 1800's as compared with those in more recent history. The phrases used by those in the 1800's, while vastly different than today, echo similar sentiments of the electorate today. Overall a good read but not as compelling as an actual biography.

[Diane-OP]

I enjoyed this perspective on the people who wrote to President Lincoln. Quite a range of folks - some high in power; others from the most disadvantaged in society. Some who supported him fully; others who thought he was a menace to society. In some ways not so different from our own time!

[Margaret Boehm]

The letters included in this book were very interesting. Great book

[Bethany]

really appreciated the glimpse into Lincoln's interaction with the American public. especially enjoyed learning bygone insults such as "we will put a spider in your dumpling".