Abraham Lincoln

A biographical study of the 16th U.S. president, and an essential book for any student of Lincoln and American history.

In this multifaceted portrait, Oates, “the most popular historical interpreter of Lincoln” (Gabor S. Boritt, New York Times Book Review), exposes the human side of the great and tragic president—including his depression, his difficulties with love, and his troubled and troubling attitudes about slavery—while also confronting the many legends that have arisen around “Honest Abe.” Oates throughout raises timely questions about what the Lincoln mythos reveals about the American people.

Praise for Abraham Lincoln

“There is no better introduction to current thinking about Lincoln and his place in history. . . . Oates, author of the best one-volume biography of Lincoln of our time, scales Lincoln down to human size yet solidifies his reputation as one of our greatest presidents. . . . Oates’ Lincoln fascinates. He is both flawed human being and genuine hero.” —Newsday

“Oates re-creates the life and world of Abraham Lincoln with the skill of a master painter. He succeeds in portraying both the facts and myths of history as essential to our understanding it.” —Christian Science Monitor