Books about Abraham Lincoln
This list of books about Lincoln that are in TBBL's collection was compiled in February 2009, in recognition of the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth.
Manhunt: the twelve-day chase for Lincoln's killer
By James L. Swanson. Narrated by Don Hagen.
Chronicles the days after the April 14, 1865 assassination of Abraham Lincoln as Union cavalry searched the city and surrounding countryside for John Wilkes Booth. Covers the capture of Booth, the trial of the coconspirators, and the fight over the reward money. Violence and strong language. Bestseller. 2006.
Book Number: RC 62040 [cassette book]
Lincoln's war: the untold story of America's greatest president as commander in chief
By Geoffrey Perret.
Narrated by: Butch Hoover.
The author of Eisenhower (RC 49646) demonstrates from National Archives documents that Abraham Lincoln redefined the presidency by expanding his "war powers." He contends that ignoring military, political, and legal restraints Lincoln successfully prevented the South from seceding from the Union. 2004.
Book Number: RC 58574 [cassette book]
Abraham Lincoln
By Thomas Keneally.
A concise biography of the Civil War president. Discusses Lincoln's backwoods upbringing, storytelling gift, and entry into politics. Focuses on his presidency during a pivotal time in United States history. 2003. (Part of the Penguin Lives series.)
Book Number: BR 14625 [braille]. Also available from Web-Braille as a contracted braille digital file. (Users must register with their cooperating library.)
Lincoln
By David Herbert Donald. Narrated by Lou Harpenau.
Pulitzer Prize winner David Donald analyzes Lincoln's presidency from a psychological perspective, looking at the information and background the sixteenth president to his decisions. Donald's biography incorporates insights from the Abraham Lincoln Papers, which were sealed at the time of earlier major biographies. The influences of Lincoln's loving stepmother, his beautiful and well-connected wife, and others on his life are explored.
Book Number: RC 44059 [cassette book]
"We are Lincoln men": Abraham Lincoln and his friends
By David Herbert Donald. Narrated by: Roy Avers.
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian draws from the recollections and memoirs of a variety of Abraham Lincoln's partners, associates, and political allies to examine the significance of friendship to him and his career. Donald profiles six people the intensely private Lincoln most valued: Speed, Herndon, Browning, Seward, Nicolay, and Hay. 2003.
Book Number: RC 57829 [cassette book]
The presidency of Abraham Lincoln
By Phillip Shaw Paludan. Narrated by Randy Atcher.
A Civil War scholar analyzes Lincoln's administration. Proceeding chronologically, Paludan examines Lincoln's presidency beginning with his election and the formation of his cabinet. The author asserts that no other president ever faced greater challenges in defending the oath of office. And he credits Lincoln with resolving two of the greatest struggles in American history: saving the Union and freeing the slaves. (Part of the American Presidency series.)
Book Number: RC 39423 [cassette book]
Team of rivals: the political genius of Abraham Lincoln
By Doris Kearns Goodwin.
Narrated by: Robert Sams.
Pulitzer Prize-winner illustrates the political acumen of Abraham Lincoln. Highlights the careers of Lincoln's three prime competitors in the Republican party--William Seward, Salmon Chase, and Edward Bates, men more qualified and educated, whom he beat for the 1860 nomination for chief executive. Discusses their subsequent appointments to the cabinet. Bestseller. 2005.
Book Number: RC 61162 [cassette book]
Abraham Lincoln, the man behind the myths
By Stephen B. Oates.
Concentrates on the personal life and humanity of Lincoln separating the facts from the highly elaborated myths. Also presents a detailed reconstruction of the assassination and a reassessment of Mary Todd Lincoln.
Book Number: BR 05882 [braille]
Abraham Lincoln, 16th president of the United States
By Rebecca Stefoff. Narrated by Lou Harpenau.
Lincoln was born in 1809 in a log cabin in Kentucky. Frontier life was hard, and he was able to attend school for only a few months. But Lincoln developed a thirst for knowledge and worked hard to educate himself. As a young man he became interested in politics and law. As president he would lead the nation through its only civil war. For grades 5-8 and older readers.
Book Number: RC 30116 [cassette book]. Also available in braille (BR 08007) and from Web-Braille as a contracted digital braille file. (Users must register with their cooperating library.)