A. Lincoln

A Biography

By: Ronald C. White Jr.

Narrated by: Bill Weideman

Length: 27 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

In this important new biography, Ronald C. White, Jr. offers a fresh and fascinating definition of Lincoln as a man of integrity - what today's commentators are calling "authenticity" - whose internal moral compass is the key to understanding his life. Through meticulous research, utilizing recently discovered Lincoln letters, legal papers, and photographs, White depicts Lincoln as a person of intellectual curiosity, comfortable with ambiguity, and capable of changing his mind.

The reader is treated to an exploration of Lincoln's compelling words, his changing ideas on slavery, the shaping of the modern role of Commander-in-Chief, and his surprising religious odyssey.

A. Lincoln, so titled for the way Lincoln signed his name, sheds an innovative and profound light on our nation's most beloved leader for a new generation of Americans.

©2009 Ronald C. White, Jr. (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Ronald C. White's A. Lincoln is the best biography of Lincoln since David Donald's Lincoln (1995)... Amid all the books on Lincoln that will be published during the coming year, this one will stand out as one of the best." (James M. McPherson, author of Battle Cry of Freedom, and winner of the Pulitzer Prize)

meh

Abraham Lincoln was a great man but his life story is very, very boring. Don't expect to find any secrets about mr. Lincoln

Really enjoyed every bit of it

Would you listen to A. Lincoln again? Why?
I am a great admirer of Abraham Lincoln and have always wanted to know his story in detail. As I listened to this book, I felt like I was living in his times. It is really very well told.

As it was said, he just set the highest standards for presidents, and humanity. If I can reach 10% of what this man did in his short life, I would feel great already. I bow to this man with all my heart. All I wanted to do as I was listening to this book, was to go to Lincoln memorial in DC and sit by his feet while reading this, which I surely will do.

I learned some new information

I thought that I would be bored about reading his early life in politics, but it helped me to understand how his early life experiences helped him to become a great president . I was surprised to learn that he had a another love between Ann Rutledge and Mary Todd. I also liked how the author parsed the speeches explaining why the words were chosen and arranged.

History… but not much more

The author described the events of Mr. Lincoln’s life with good detail - after all, it’s one volume but added very little in analysis or interpretation. This, it’s a dry narrative with only occasional wit and anecdotes

Abraham Lincoln is such a fascinating person.

The book is fact-heavy about Abe Lincoln's early years, which gets things off to a slow start. But later it is fact-heavy about the years leading up to and during his two terms as a wartime president which is really very interesting.

One particularly noteworthy thing about this author's Lincoln biography is his dissection of some of Lincoln's more important speeches. I found that much more interesting than I would have guessed and really enjoyed it.

Good!

A helpful retelling of the important forces and events in Lincoln's life. Artfully portrays Lincoln's true genius as a leader--more so that other biographers. A good reading, also. Thank you!

More like a history lesson that a bio.

I usually really like biographies, but this one fell short. It spent way too much time describing every little detail of the civil war. I did manage to get through it, but most of the book was pretty boring.

Authentic and Inspiring

While some attempt to define (and defile) Lincoln based on limited anecdotes and modern perspectives, White's stunning book is the most complete and accurate review of 'Father Abraham.' Taken in full context, Lincoln's incredible character remains as inspiring today as it did when the world needed him most.

Incredible biography

Favorite biography of Lincoln to date. Really enjoyed the rhetorical analysis of his speeches-his word choice, influence, reflections have more insight into the brilliant leader

Future Unsure, Truly Human Lincoln Made Many Errs

It's odd that when I look back, it seems the end of slavery was inevitable and that Lincoln was always a solid, steady embodiment of leadership.

Reading this book, struggling step by step with Lincoln as he makes mistakes, feels regret and anxiety, as he watches failure after failure on the battlefield, history seems very different.

Lincoln has also always felt too far from me in time and space, but this book makes me feel like I'm walking with him, talking with him, seeing him as an ordinary person, and feeling the pains of his failures and frustrations.

This book is so vivid and clear, so detailed and expressive. I forget I'm listening to a "educational" audiobook, because the storytelling nature of the narration is so fluid.

This is just a wonderful book - great literary quality as well as bringing history to the listener/reader. Great work.

This book was well-read and well-produced. The ideas flowed seamless into my mind.