Biography of Lincoln; short, but easy reading

The idea behind the “Penguin Lives” series was to select a varied collection of ~30 historical figures (from Mao Zedong to Elvis Presley) and assign them to writers with little or no experience writing biographies. The results are badly mixed: the 15 “Penguin Lives” books that I've read range from reasonably good to downright terrible.

True to form, in lieu of the numerous academic scholars and other well- qualified writers of history, to author this work the editors chose Thomas Keneally-- an Australian novelist who is mainly known for a book on which the film "Schindler's List" was based. His account of Abraham Lincoln's life is brief, conventional, and somewhat pedestrian. The facts are laid out in a straightforward fashion, in pleasant mellifluous prose that reflects the author’s talents as a writer. The biography offers no new insights (to no great surprise) but at least has the merit of not having been written from an ideological viewpoint. (Thus, in contrast to other recent works, we get no speculations about Lincoln's sexuality, no false claims of his supposed Christian beliefs, and no disreputable silliness about an assassination plot involving his own Secretary of War).

At least a few mistakes mar this work. Contrary to Keneally's account, assassin John Wilkes Booth did not climb down from the theatre balcony – he leapt over the rail, a fall of 12 feet, breaking his leg in the process. Likewise, the fatal bullet did not exit the right side of Lincoln’s head, it lodged in his brain. These are peculiar mistakes and lead the reader to wonder what other misconceptions might have crept through. Further, the work ends abruptly with Lincoln’s death, without mention of the aftermath of his death, the capture of his assassins, the fate of his plans for post- war reconstruction, or the historical legacy of his life. It’s as if the author ran out of space and chose to end the book with Stanton’s alleged words: “Now he belongs to the ages.”

Nonetheless, this work offers a serviceable if brief account of Lincoln’s life, an introduction that may well stimulate some readers to delve deeper. ( )

I agree with Tucker. The book is quick read, and puts Lincoln's person into perspective. As a high school history teacher, it helps build my appreciation of the characters and important people of American History. ( )

A quick and servicable biography of Lincoln. It places a good deal of emphasis on his rise to the presidency, and thus serves to place LIncoln in his context: a man from nothing who entered the "rich man's party," a man who lived around slaves but hated it, and a man of principle. And a hoot to boot! You learn some odd things about Lincoln, I only wish Keneally would have spent a bit more time on Lincoln's turn from deist to theist. ( )