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Ranging from finely honed legal argument to dry and sometimes savage humor to private correspondence and political rhetoric of unsurpassed grandeur, the writings collected in this volume are at once the literary testament of the greatest writer ever to occupy the White House and a documentary history of America in Abraham Lincoln's time. They record Lincoln's campaigns for public office; the evolution of his stand against slavery; his pyrotechnic debates with Stephen Douglas; his conduct of the Civil War; and the great public utterances of his presidency, including the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address.

For the first time, the authoritative editions of works by major American novelists, poets, scholars, and essayists collected in the hardcover volumes of The Library of America are being published singly in a series of handsome paperback books. A distinguished writer has contributed an introduction for each volume, which also includes a chronology of the author's life and career, an essay on the text, and notes.

Customer Reviews

A Comment on Lincoln's Writing Style
After perusing the voluminous annals of Lincoln's writings, scholars and laymen alike are astounded by his ability to set forth his views with clarity and logic in an age noted for for oblique, flourished writing styles reminescent of 18th century dinner invitations from the Queen. We also marvel at his ability to convey complex thoughts and feelings in the style of an accomplished poet. He was indeed a master of the English language worthy of the high esteem for which he is remembered.

However, to my limited knowledge, no one has yet analyzed his writings from the perspective of his profession. He wrote in the style of the lawyer which he was to get the attention of impatient judges and juries who were likely illiterate. He had to appeal to people with little knowledge (including judges of the time), short attention spans, and do it in the least amount of time possible.

A good piece of legal writng is roughly divided into three parts. The first is a statement of the facts, the second an analysis of those facts in the context of applicable law and the third the conclusion (or, in the case of judges), a definitive holding. Lincoln consciously selected each word for a purpose and arranged his arguments in logically ordered paragraphs that ultimately supported, and persuaded others, to agree with his conclusion.

It does not take much time to observe his style just by flipping through the pages of Lincoln's speeches, letters and other writings set forth in the unadulterated versions set forth in the books published by the Library of America. Every piece of writing, including his short notes, begins with a strong topic sentence that sets forth the subject of the remainder of the paragraph without any wasted words. And each paragraph is arranged in an order to support the point he intendes to make. He keeps it simple and directs his writing to one single memorable point. One cannot mistake or misinterpret his ultimate conclusion. And he uses humor and twists of language to make his missives memorable. Neither judges nor juries could retire to contemplate a case without remembering something pleasantly unusual about his mastry of language, a talent that undoubtedly redounded to the benefit of his clients. He was very sucessful at what he did, both professionally and monetarily.

For decades children have memorized the Gettysburg Address and we have all admired the lofty and almost spiritual words of his Second Inaugral Address.

However, I have yet to see a careful analysis of Lincoln't First Inaugral Address and the astounding words he carefully crafted. The speech reads like a legal opinion but with a curious conclusion set forth in the topic sentence of the 13th paragraph. He wrote:

"I hold, that in contemplation of universal law, and of the Constitution, the union of these states is perpetual. Perpetuality is implied, if not expressed, in the fundamental law of all national governments".

That's it. The rest is a description of the nature of a union of states along with an appeal to the Southerners not to make rash decisions. ("Nothing valuable can be lost by taking time.")

When writing a holding of an opinion, judges most always set forth their strongest supporting reasons first and the "lesser" justifications thereafter. And Lincoln was no different.

Lincoln's best argument for his conclusion that the Union could not be dissolved was based on, as he stated, "Universal Law". I wonder how the scholars missed that one. Lincoln would never insert a "throw-away line", particularly when making such a monumental statement.

Academicians shy away from anything that could smack of religion or spirituality. They want "just the facts". And it is an undisputed fact that Lincoln was not a religous man, at least in the sense that he had no interest in any theology and never went to church. Perhaps scholars accept those facts only and disregard Lincoln's actual statement as filler material. At minimum, the fact is that scholars and students of Lincoln have never attempted to understand Lincoln's carefully chosen words.

It appears that Lincoln made his most important decisions while alone and only after hours, days, weeks, months or years of careful thought. Did he arrive at his conclusions solely by the careful application of traditional logic or did he simply wait and listen for an answer? And, if so, from whom?

It would indeed be an interesting adventure to read the Library of America's unadulterated speeches and writings of Lincoln and attmpt to discern what the better angels of his nature were and how he managed to connect with a level of kind forgiveness beyond his own self-taught understanding. Someone having more time and knowledge than me should take Lincoln at his literal word and investigate the meaning of what he said.

The Greatest American
Of all the folks in the storied history of this world of ours, Mr. Lincoln is the one I'd most like to have had the opportunity to meet....this book takes one as close as he or she can get to that imaginary event.

Our Greatest President?
Abraham Lincoln is a giant in American history, but it wasn't until I read his speeches and writings that his wisdom and wit became apparent. This is a man born in the depths of poverty, and who climbed to the very top. The Gettysburg Address, largely ignored when it was first given, has risen to become one of the most profound, definite, and understood explanations of the American dream..."we will witness a new birth of freedom...that government ofthe people, by the people, and for the people will not perish from the earth..." God Bless Lincoln, and God Bless America.