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    Lincoln: A Photobiography
    Lincoln: A Photobiography
    Lincoln: A Photobiography
    Ebook194 pages1 hour

    Lincoln: A Photobiography

    By Russell Freedman

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    About this ebook

    The Newbery Medal–winning book for young readers presents “a human portrait of a politician honorably confronting the most vexing issues of his era” (The New York Times Book Review).
     
    Abraham Lincoln stood out in a crowd as much for his wit and rollicking humor as for his height. This Newbery Medal-winning biography of our Civil War president is warm, appealing, and illustrated with dozens of carefully chosen photographs and prints.
     
    Russell Freedman begins with a lively account of Abraham Lincoln's boyhood, his career as a country lawyer, and his courtship and marriage to Mary Todd. Then the author focuses on Lincoln’s presidency, skillfully explaining the many complex issues he grappled with as he led a deeply divided nation through the Civil War. The book's final chapter is a moving account of his tragic death at Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865. The volume concludes with a sampling of Lincoln writings and a detailed list of Lincoln historical sites.
     
    "Few, if any, of the many books written for children about Lincoln can compare with Freedman's contribution…This is an outstanding example of what (juvenile) biography can be. Like Lincoln himself, it stands head and shoulders above its competition." —School Library Journal
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherOpen Road Integrated Media
    Release dateSep 25, 1989
    ISBN9780547532202
    Lincoln: A Photobiography
    Author

    Russell Freedman

    Russell Freedman (1929-2018) received the Newbery Medal for Lincoln: A Photobiography. He was the recipient of three Newbery Honors, a National Humanities Medal, the Sibert Medal, the Orbis Pictus Award, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and was selected to give the 2006 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture. Mr. Freedman lived in New York City and traveled widely to research his books.

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    Reviews for Lincoln

    4/5

    160 ratings15 reviews

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    • 3/5
      Good Lincoln biography for younger readers with many photos.
    • 4/5
      I really enjoyed ready about Lincoln and how he became a president. This book describes Lincoln's early childhood on the frontier, his career as a lawyer, his rise in politics, and obstacles he faced a president.
    • 3/5
      1988 Newbery winner. Engaging enough for children's non-fiction, but I am not very interested in Lincoln.
    • 4/5
      Abraham Lincoln stood out in a crowd as much for his wit and rollicking humor as for his height. This Newbery Medal-winning biography of our Civil War president is warm, appealing, and illustrated with dozens of carefully chosen photographs and prints.Russell Freedman begins with a lively account of Abraham Lincoln's boyhood, his career as a country lawyer, and his courtship and marriage to Mary Todd. Then the author focuses on the presidential years (1861 to 1865), skillfully explaining the many complex issues Lincoln grappled with as he led a deeply divided nation through the Civil War. The book's final chapter is a moving account of that tragic evening in Ford's Theater on April 14, 1865. Concludes with a sampling of Lincoln writings and a detailed list of Lincoln historical sites.
    • 5/5
      Following the life of an American icon, this text tries to capture the image of the man that history has mostly glossed over. Sullen, morose, and a gifted speaker; Lincoln was more than what the history books depict but rather a real, breathing person with faults and incredible strengths. This book uses a rich selection of photographs, historical illustrations and cartoons, as well as letters and articles to show Lincoln for all that he truly was.I found this book riveting and I learned so much about a figure everyone thinks they know. I had heard of his mercurial nature but it was fascinating to hear firsthand accounts and stories of his life as well as be drawn in by the wonderful assortment of images. Truly a treasure of American history.
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed reading and looking at the illustrations of Abraham Lincoln through his childhood and Presidential career. I have not seen many illustrations or images of Abraham Lincoln as a child. The illustrations showed Lincoln as the tall figure I know him to be. From this text, I learned that Lincoln was a country lawyer. I did not know that Lincoln was a “prairie” lawyer who encountered any form of business that needed a lawyer. One characteristic of the text that I appreciated was how the text was able to skillfully explain the difficult task Lincoln had during the Civil War and the troubles that the country faced with a divided nation. I found the portion of the text that explained Lincolns path to President through being an active congressman. One aspect of Lincoln's career that I found interesting and motivational was that Lincoln “reinvented” the idea of republican values. Lincoln was able to use political rhetoric to redirect emphasis to the importance of the Declaration of Independence for the basis of American political values. Lastly, I feel that it was important to include the tragic assassination of Abraham Lincoln. The last chapter of the biography explains John Wilkes Booth assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. This was a major event in United States history because Lincoln was a symbol for change, equality and freedom. Overall, I enjoyed reading and assessing the illustrations in this book and was able to learn new factual information about President Abraham Lincoln.
    • 4/5
      This biography of Abraham Lincoln presents a picture of Abraham Lincoln that is easily accessible to the younger reader, complete with photos and interesting details of his growing up years. The chapters covering his presidency and the difficulties of the civil war are particularly moving.
    • 5/5
      This photobiography provides an illustrative account of several themes, including slavery, violence (dead soldiers, war, assassination), responsibility, and one of the most important figures in the history of our country. Being able to visually see where Lincoln came from, a “backwoods boy” in chapter 2, the choices he made, and what he stood for and died for will help children grasp Lincoln's character better than simply reading it. The book also shows kids that Lincoln was not just a president and the he came from an extremely modest background, perhaps an inspiring detail for kids in forming dreams and aspirations. One of my favorite pictures is the one of downtown Springfield (page 29) “where Lincoln practiced law” because it tells so much for the times (i.e. everything is made of wood).
    • 4/5
      Lincoln's life story starts from the beginning of his life and goes all the way to his last day that ended with an assassination. The book shows how his youth shaped his adulthood. The book tells about his accounts as a boy, his career as a lawyer, his courtship and marriage to Mary Todd. The book also tells about the many complex issues he had to deal with during the Civil War and tragic ending at Ford Theatre on April 14,1865. The book also has samplings of Lincoln's writings and pictures of different items of his time.Good book. While it is a good book to read, it also has pictures throughout the book to show different aspects of his life.A teacher can show that the life of Lincoln's was humble. Even though he had troubles and struggled at times he always seem to come out on top. Life will have ups and downs but we have to keep going and strive for the best.
    • 4/5
      Lincoln is presented here as I have never seen him, in both text and photographs. The details about him surprised me; I knew, of course, that he was extremely tall and had had a limited formal education, but I had no idea his voice was high pitched and that he had so much trouble finding a good general during the Civil War and that he was shy. I also loved the fact that though he had a total of a year of schooling he was able to read and study himself for two years and pass his bar exam. The Civil War years were a revelation. Poor Lincoln went through general after general who was afraid to act. And Lincoln’s assassination was so unexpected, coming so close to the end of the war. I could really feel Lincoln’s anguish in trying to figure out how to lure back the rebel states without cruelty yet also closing the door forever on slavery.
    • 5/5
      " A spider of a boy" they called him. Throughout Lincoln's life he was known as a tall, bony legged man. Although he claimed he had forgotten his childhood, historians say he was born in a log cabin near Hodgenville, Kentucky on February 12, 1809. Thomas and Nancy named him after his pioneer grandpa, who had been killed by Indians while harvesting his crops. After many years Thomas Lincoln, who was a farmer, decided to move the family to Indiana. This was as Lincoln said "The hardest experience of my life." Abe and his sister Sarah attended a small one-room cabin school two miles away from their home. This was the only formal schooling he had. When Abe was nine his mother, uncle, and aunt all come down with the so-called "milk sickness" and died week later. A year went by until Thomas found another wife. He married Sarah Bush Lincoln, who was a great housekeeper and took very good care of Lincoln and his sister. She also brought three children to live with them. Lincoln learned to work hard at an early age. Later during his presidency he said "Work, work, work is the main thing." After that, Lincoln decided to look for work in New Orleans and then New Salem Illinois, In Salem, Lincoln studied law and decided to run for the state legislature. He lost but than ran again when he was 25 and became the second highest vote getter in the state so he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives. At the age of 30, he moved to Springfield and met the love of his life, Mary Ann Todd. They were engaged soon after they met, but called the wedding off after Mary's sister did not approve of the marriage. Lincoln's friends said this period was the worst emotional crises of his life. On the 4th of November they told Mary's sister they were to be married, and they did that evening. The first child Robert Todd was born nine month later. Then Eddie was born in 1846. By the time Eddie was born Lincoln had opened his own law office and won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and moved to Washington. Eddie, not yet four, died in 1850. Later in 1851 Willie was born, when Thomas, who was nicknamed Tad was born in 1853. At this time, Lincoln was the leading Anti-slavery spokeman in Illinois. At the age of 51, he ran for President. He was elected on the 4th November 1860. In 1861 the death of Willie, who was only 11, really upset Mary. During Lincoln's presidency he accomplished a lot of things including the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation declared that ll slaves in confederate territory would be free. As President during the war between states, Lincoln agonized over the loss of life and the division of the country. He wanted preserve the democratic goverment of truly united group of states. On April 4th 1865 at the age of 56 was shot in Ford Theater by John Wilkes Booth. Although the President did not straight away he did die the next day.I think this book was written either for research purposes or to show the world what a great man Lincoln was. Freedman showed how Lincoln started from almost nothing and went to become President.I think this book is biased because Freedman only shows how great of a person Lincoln was and not any bad sides. This bias could be from nationalism. Everyone in the United States thinks his is a great man and Freedman could have gotten his bias from that. This book is an inspiring story about persevering under difficult situations. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know about Lincoln or who is researching him.
    • 4/5
      This book is about Abraham Lincoln 's Biography. It talks him as a regular person and as a president. Though President Lincoln had many faults, he also had many strong points. I remember learning about him when I was growing up, but we never read anything exicting like this. It has black and white pictures in it. This book reveals that he was more like an everyday citizen.Classroom Extensions: I think I would have my students draw a portrait of President Lincoln. I would also have them make a timeline of his life.Personal Reaction: This book is fun and different, because when I was in school we never had biographies with pictures. Students will realize that President Lincoln was just like everyone esle.
    • 4/5
      This book portrays the life of a former president, Abraham Lincoln. It represents him as a human and a great leader. Black and white pictures closely tell the story of his life. The author tells Lincolns life very vividly. I remember personally learning about his life when I was a student. This book would be good for a large group of young students. It uses short sentences and get directly to the point helping to keep young children interested. For extensions, I would have my students do a timeline of Abraham Lincoln's life. I would also consider having students draw a portrait, or color a picture of him as an extension.
    • 4/5
      This 1988 Newbery Award winner has a text as vivid and revealing as its photographs.
    • 5/5
      Surprisingly moving, yet simple and straightforward. The author uses excellent details, including plenty of Lincoln's own quotes, to masterfully draw us into often-simplified events, like the reasons behind the Emancipation Proclamation. Whereas I had started the book with a simple appreciation of Lincoln, I finished with a strong adoration toward him. Also, the vocabulary is rich and will stretch an upper-elementary reader in just the right ways.

    Book preview

    Lincoln - Russell Freedman

    Lincoln and his son Tad, 1864.

    Sources of photographs and prints are cited on page 144.

    Clarion Books

    Copyright © 1987 by Russell Freedman

    All rights reserved. For information about permission to reproduce selections from this book, write to trade.permissions@hmhco.com or to Permissions, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 3 Park Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10016.

    Clarion Books is an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

    hmhbooks.com

    The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:

    Freedman, Russell. Lincoln.

    Bibliography: p. Includes index. Summary: Photographs and text trace the life of the Civil War President.

    1. Lincoln, Abraham, 1809–1865—Juvenile literature. 2. Presidents—United States—Biography—Juvenile literature.

    [1. Lincoln, Abraham, 1809–1865. 2. Presidents] I. Title.

    E457.905.F73 1987 973.7'092'4 [B] [92] 86-33379

    ISBN 978-0-89919-380-9 hardcover

    ISBN 978-0-395-51848-9 paperback

    eISBN 978-0-547-53220-2

    v5.0621

    FOR EVANS

    ONE

    The Mysterious Mr. Lincoln

    "If any personal description of me is thought desirable, it may be said, I am, in height, six feet, four inches, nearly; lean in flesh, weighing, on average, one hundred and eighty pounds; dark complexion, with coarse black hair and grey eyes—no other marks or brands recollected."

    The presidential candidate, June 1860. Of this photograph Lincoln said, That looks better and expresses me better than any I have ever seen; if it pleases the people, I am satisfied.

    Abraham Lincoln wasn’t the sort of man who could lose himself in a crowd. After all, he stood six feet four inches tall, and to top it off, he wore a high silk hat.

    His height was mostly in his long bony legs. When he sat in a chair, he seemed no taller than anyone else. It was only when he stood up that he towered above other men.

    At first glance, most people thought he was homely. Lincoln thought so too, referring once to his poor, lean, lank face. As a young man he was sensitive about his gawky looks, but in time, he learned to laugh at himself. When a rival called him two-faced during a political debate, Lincoln replied: I leave it to my audience. If I had another face, do you think I’d wear this one?

    According to those who knew him, Lincoln was a man of many faces. In repose, he often seemed sad and gloomy. But when he began to speak, his expression changed. The dull, listless features dropped like a mask, said a Chicago newspaperman. The eyes began to sparkle, the mouth to smile, the whole countenance was wreathed in animation, so that a stranger would have said, ‘Why, this man, so angular and solemn a moment ago, is really handsome!’

    Lincoln was the most photographed man of his time, but his friends insisted that no photo ever did him justice. It’s no wonder. Back then, cameras required long exposures. The person being photographed had to freeze as the seconds ticked by. If he blinked an eye, the picture would be blurred. That’s why Lincoln looks so stiff and formal in his photos. We never see him laughing or joking.

    Artists and writers tried to capture the real Lincoln that the camera missed, but something about the man always escaped them. His changeable features, his tones, gestures, and expressions, seemed to defy description.

    Today it’s hard to imagine Lincoln as he really was. And he never cared to reveal much about himself. In company he was witty and talkative, but he rarely betrayed his inner feelings. According to William Herndon, his law partner, he was the most secretive—reticent—shut-mouthed man that ever lived.

    In his own time, Lincoln was never fully understood even by his closest friends. Since then, his life story has been told and retold so many times, he has become as much a legend as a flesh-and-blood human being. While the legend is based on truth, it is only partly true. And it hides the man behind it like a disguise.

    Wearing his familiar stovepipe hat, Lincoln towers above General George B. McClellan and his staff during a visit to Fifth Corps headquarters near Sharpsburg, Maryland, October 3,1862.

    The legendary Lincoln is known as Honest Abe, a humble man of the people who rose from a log cabin to the White House. There’s no doubt that Lincoln was a poor boy who made good. And it’s true that he carried his folksy manners and homespun speech to the White House with him. He said howdy to visitors and invited them to stay a spell. He greeted diplomats while wearing carpet slippers, called his wife mother at receptions, and told bawdy jokes at cabinet meetings.

    Lincoln may have seemed like a common man, but he wasn’t. His friends agreed that he was one of the most ambitious people they had ever known. Lincoln struggled hard to rise above his logcabin origins, and he was proud of his achievements. By the time he ran for president he was a wealthy man, earning a large income from his law practice and his many investments. As for the nickname Abe, he hated it. No one who knew him well ever called him Abe to his face. They addressed him as Lincoln or Mr. Lincoln.

    Lincoln is often described as a sloppy dresser, careless about his appearance. In fact, he patronized the best tailor in Springfield, Illinois, buying two suits a year. That was at a time when many men lived, died, and were buried in the same suit.

    It’s true that Lincoln had little formal eddication, as he would have pronounced it. Almost everything he larned he taught himself. All his life he said thar for there, git for get, kin for can. Even so, he became an eloquent public speaker who could hold a vast audience spellbound, and a great writer whose finest phrases still ring in our ears. He was known to sit up late into the night, discussing Shakespeare’s plays with White House visitors.

    He was certainly a humorous man, famous for his rollicking stories. But he was also moody and melancholy, tormented by long and frequent bouts of depression. Humor was his therapy. He relied on his yarns, a friend observed, to whistle down sadness.

    He had a cool, logical mind, trained in the courtroom, and a practical, commonsense approach to problems. Yet he was deeply superstitious, a believer in dreams, omens, and visions.

    We admire Lincoln today as an American folk hero. During the Civil War, however, he was the most unpopular president the nation had ever known. His critics called him a tyrant, a hick, a stupid baboon who was unfit for his office. As commander in chief of the armed forces, he was denounced as a bungling amateur who meddled in military affairs he knew nothing about. But he also had his supporters. They praised him as a farsighted statesman, a military mastermind who engineered the Union victory

    Lincoln is best known as the Great Emancipator, the man who freed the slaves. Yet he did not enter the war with that idea in mind. "My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, he said in 1862, and is not either to save or destroy slavery." As the war continued, Lincoln’s attitude changed. Eventually he came to regard the conflict as a moral crusade to wipe out the sin of slavery.

    No black leader was more critical of Lincoln than the fiery abolitionist writer and editor Frederick Douglass. Douglass had grown up as a slave. He had won his freedom by escaping to the North. Early in the war, impatient with Lincoln’s cautious leadership, Douglass called him preeminently the white man’s president, entirely devoted to the welfare of white men. Later, Douglass changed his mind and came to admire Lincoln. Several years after the war, he said this about the sixteenth president:

    "His greatest mission was to accomplish two things: first, to save his country from dismemberment and ruin; and, second, to free his country from the great crime of slavery. . . . taking him for all in all, measuring the tremendous magnitude of the work before him, considering the necessary means to ends, and surveying the end from the beginning, infinite wisdom has seldom sent

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