Abraham Lincoln by Stephen B. Oates

Abraham Lincoln

The Man Behind the Myths

Stephen B. Oates

HarperCollins · Print & ebook · October 13, 2009

“There is no better introduction to current thinking about Lincoln and his place in history.” —Newsday An essential book for any student of Lincoln and American history, Abraham Lincoln: The Man Behind the Myths is acclaimed Lincoln biographer Stephen B. Oates's unique exploration of America's sixteenth president in reality and memory.

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Who it’s for
A portrait of Lincoln that weighs the complicated man against the stories Americans made of him.
Themes
Lincoln's public image and legacy, Lincoln's personal struggles, Lincoln's attitudes about slavery
Pacing
Reflective

About this book

“There is no better introduction to current thinking about Lincoln and his place in history.” —Newsday An essential book for any student of Lincoln and American history, Abraham Lincoln: The Man Behind the Myths is acclaimed Lincoln biographer Stephen B. Oates's unique exploration of America's sixteenth president in reality and memory.

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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.

Beyond the Lincoln Legend

A portrait of Lincoln that weighs the complicated man against the stories Americans made of him.

Come here for

  • A human view of a president often polished into legend
  • Questions about what Lincoln’s mythology says about America

Expect

  • Attention to depression, love, and troubling attitudes about slavery
  • History that considers both Lincoln in life and Lincoln in memory

Where it sits

Presidents & World Leaders90%
Civil War Era80%
Political Lives42%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Lives in History
  • Political Lives
  • Presidents & World Leaders
  • Royal Lives
Show all 8 publisher categories
  • North American History
  • 19th-Century America
  • Civil War Era
  • The Americas History
Authors
Stephen B. Oates
Publisher
HarperCollins
Published
October 13, 2009
Format
Print & ebook
Theme
Lincoln's public image and legacy · Lincoln's personal struggles · Lincoln's attitudes about slavery
Reading lane
Lives in History