But within many of its chapters the story switches without warning between chronological and topical progression. This story is heavy on facts and insight but is relatively light on the nuances that would serve to place the reader “in the room” with Lincoln.ĭonald’s biography generally proceeds chronologically, as would be expected. The style and pace of the biography are a bit too uneven and the biography resembles the work of a great historian rather than of a great author. However, “Lincoln” does not provide that type of experience. Based largely on superlatives from delighted previous readers, I expected a smoothly-flowing, consistently engaging narrative in the style of McCullough or Chernow. Less successful is Donald’s style of writing. Equally compelling is discussion of the Republican nominating convention of 1860 and Lincoln’s early hunt for the presidency. Also useful is the author’s explanation for Lincoln’s desire (and success) in seeking a seat in the Illinois state legislature in 1834. The acumen that accompanies these discussions is particularly interesting and insightful. One of the many excellent aspects of this book is Donald’s description of the personalities of, and interplay between, the members of Lincoln’s cabinet. Donald also seems to place less focus than other biographers on Lincoln’s dramatic growth and maturation as president, though this component of his character is not completely hidden. In fact, many have criticized Donald for emphasizing Lincoln’s “essential passivity” rather than positioning him as a determined, forceful president aggressively pushing the country to embrace his enlightened moral standards. Although it fully presents Lincoln’s dramatic life story, from poverty to the Presidency, this book does not idolize or worship Lincoln as might be the temptation. Obvious from its earliest pages is that Donald’s biography is scholarly, serious and straightforward. But fresh off two recently published Lincoln biographies and five-dozen biographies of earlier presidents, I can confirm that this biography – while not quite as “unrivaled” as promised by some – is nevertheless extremely meritorious.
With several other renowned biographies of Lincoln still to read I am unable to validate that premise.
Best remembered as a leading authority on Abraham Lincoln, Donald died in 2009.ĭonald’s “Lincoln” is widely regarded as the best single-volume biography ever written on Abraham Lincoln. He also wrote nearly three-dozen books and is a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner (for his biographies of Charles Sumner and Thomas Wolfe). Donald, the grandson of a Union cavalry officer, was a long-time history professor at Harvard. Published in 1995, David Herbert Donald’s “ Lincoln” is often considered the quintessential Lincoln biography.
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