Abraham Lincoln: A Biography Lord Godfrey Rathbone Benson Charnwood Introduction by Peter W. Schramm

No other narrative account of Abraham Lincoln's life has inspired such widespread acclaim as Lord Charnwood's Abraham Lincoln: A Biography. Many contemporary historians consider this thorough and superbly crafted work the quintessential biography of one of America's greatest Presidents. Written by a native of England and originally published in 1916, the biography is a rare blend of beautiful prose and profound historical insight. Charnwood's study of Lincoln's statesmanship introduced generations of Americans to the life and politics of Lincoln, and the author's observations are so comprehensive and well supported that any serious study of Lincoln must respond to his conclusions. This is the essential reading for anyone interested in Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War, or American political history.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION by Peter W. Schramm
I. BOYHOOD OF LINCOLN
II. THE GROWTH OF THE AMERICAN NATION

• The Formation of a National Government
• Territorial Expansion
• The Growth of the Practice and Traditions of the Union Government
• The Missouri Compromise
• Leaders, Parties, and Tendencies in Lincoln's Youth
• Slavery and the Southern Society
• Intellectual Development
  

III. LINCOLN'S EARLY CAREER
• Life at New Salem
• In the Illinois Legislature
• Marriage
  

IV. LINCOLN IN CONGRESS AND IN RETIREMENT
• The Mexican War and Lincoln's Work in Congress
• California and the Compromise of 1850
• Lincoln in Retirement
• The Repeal of the Missouri Compromise
  

V. THE RISE OF LINCOLN

• Lincoln's Return to Public Life
• The Principles and Oratory of Lincoln
• Lincoln against Douglas
• John Brown
• The Election of Lincoln
  

VI. SECESSION

• The Case of the South against the Union
• The Progress of Secession
• The Inauguration of Lincoln
• The Outbreak of War
  

VII. THE CONDITIONS OF THE WAR
VIII. THE OPENING OF THE WAR AND LINCOLN'S ADMINISTRATION
• Preliminary Stages
• Bull Run
• Lincoln's Administration Generally
• Foreign Policy and England
• The Great Questions of Domestic Policy
  

IX. THE DISASTERS OF THE NORTH
• Military Policies of the North
• The War in the West Up to May, 1862
• The War in the East Up to May, 1863
  

X. EMANCIPATION
XI. THE APPROACH OF VICTORY
• The War to the End of 1863
• Conscription and the Politics of 1863
• The War in 1864
• The Second Election of Lincoln: 1864
  
  XII. THE END
  BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
  CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE
  INDEX