This book attempts - and for the most part I believe it succeeds - to present a balance view of Lincoln by presenting positions by Lincoln detractors as well as Lincoln admires. I found the essays regarding Lincoln's character to be fairly consistent with each other. Both the detractors as well as the admires agreed that Lincoln was a genius when it came to oration, writing, convincing people to join his cause, and getting things done. They also agree that Lincoln lacked true belief in the Christian religion, and said many troubling things regarding race (colonization, deportation, white supremacy, etc.). I believe that this book captures much of the true nature of who Lincoln was as a man, and I would recommend it as a fair treatment of Lincoln. ( )

This is a great "Lincoln" book, one of the best. I really enjoyed
the format including several criticisms of Pres. Lincoln's policies, and leadership. My favorite Lincoln book remains
"Lincoln At Cooper Union: The Speech That Made Abraham Lincoln" by Harold Holzer (2006) followed by "Lincoln At Gettysburg: The Words That Remade America" by Gary Wills (1992). ( )