Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.4 AVERAGE
4.4 AVERAGE
This is a very readable biography, with great insight from the author. Meacham does a good job of pulling perspectives of the time from multiple sources, helping to give a full picture of Lincoln. Ultimately, showing the true portrait of our best president, flawed yes, but ultimately willing to grow, admit fault, and rely on a moral compass/conscience that has seemingly become so uncommon in our politicians of today.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Meacham's best - somewhat less impressive after having read a bunch of other Lincoln biographies over the last 4-5 months, but very possibly the Lincoln bio that would be most appreciated by newcomers due to its accessibility and how it centers his relationship with antislavery ideals.
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Jon Meachem’s thoughtful meticulously researched books about american history always leave me feeling better and worse about the state of the nation. Better because he reminds me we’ve been here before and come out on the other side with our better angels in ascendance. Worse because he reminds me things actually can get worse before they get better.
dark
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
As usual, Meacham does a superb job of making a long and detailed biography interesting and relevant. I also find it interesting that many of the debates (about equality, states rights, etc.) are still with us, and even with the same language. The flaws in the "American experiment" are deep and enduring.