Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years and The War Years

Yes, we all know how the story ends.

But this significant book (44+hours) was well worth the listen. Carl Sandburg tells the story of Abraham Lincoln in a way that had me feeling like I knew the man. I learned the good, bad and completely unexpected about Mr. Lincoln, his beliefs, his relationships, his humour and the amazing times in which he lived.

Arthur Morey was a wonderful narrator, balancing his delivery and dialects in a measured, respectful and, I thought, unbiased way.

The ending was sad because it felt like I had lost a friend.

Realizing the gravity of whom the biography was written and who wrote it; both giants in their place in our history.

That it revealed the common themes of our politics then and now. It also emphasized how close the Union came to dissolution.

Arthur Morey was steadfast - it was a long book - that he brought remarkable sound to the written words of Sanberg.

I have a long commute and confess that I drove with wet eyes more than a few times.

I have read several Lincoln biographies, including Doris Kearns Goodwin's very good one, but this one gave me much more of a sense of Lincoln, the man. There were many of his jokes, many instances of his interactions with ordinary people, so many stories of his kinndness and understanding of human nature.

I didn't realize when i bought the book that it was 44 hours long. To my great surprise, I finished it in about ten days, listening four or five hours a day because I was so interested.

There were a few stories about Mary Todd Lincoln's difficult behavior that revealed her illness and his constant generosity and understanding.

I also liked Sandberg's references to how Lincoln's speech sounded. I am almost certain that he would never be elected today, as he would be dismissed as an ignorant hick.

From previous biographies, I knew that Lincoln was shot on April 14. When Grant defeated Lee at Appomattox on April 9, I realized the end was near. I kept hoping (knowing it was ridiculous) that Lincoln would decide to stay in that Friday. The stories of some of the things he did that day were heartbreaking, and so very kind. For example, he met a widow with four children whose husband's pension hadn't been paid for months. He promised to personally take care of it the next day. She wept in gratitude, and I wonder if she ever got that pension.

The national train ride of mourning was so well written that I felt the nation's love and sorrow. One shortcoming, I felt, was that other than the moments and hours after the shooting, Sandburg provided no quotes or insight into the reactions of Lincoln's wife and sons. I wondered what it was like for them to accompany his (eventually decomposing) body around the nation. In the midst of their grief and horror, I wonder if the solidarity of the crowds was conforting, exhausting or both.

Often during the book, as Lincoln's decisions were reviewed, often very unfavorably, by his contemporaries, I wondered how long it takes to get a fair perspective on history.

This was a beautifully written and narrated book, and it will inform my view of Lincoln and American history forever.

This is by far and away the best biography I have ever read. It is not in the least smarmy-the principal failing of most biographies I've read. It presents a wealth of fact, largely leaving it to the reader to draw their own conclusions. The facts often cast Lincoln in a bad light, but this only contributes weight and substance to the portrait of a very great man. And that is the book's principal merit, it reveals in its fullness, with poetry and pathos, the astonishing genius of Abraham Lincoln.

Written by Carl Sandburg, narrated by Arthur Morey, a very long audiobook - over 44 hours of listening. Although originally released way back in 1954, this audiobook format was released in 2013.

Two American legends. One, Carl Sandburg - poet, author. The other, Abraham Lincoln. This alone should tell you this book is a pretty decent listen. Predominantly a history of the United States from the late 1700s through the end of the American Civil War, Abraham Lincoln is also recommended for anyone interested in an understanding of Lincoln, the man.

Abraham Lincoln is a compilation of Sandburg’s decades of research. The book is filled with Lincolnesque homily, often disconnected, one line insights as an attempt to convey Lincoln, his time, character, friends, enemies, and Lincoln’s humble roots. Typical of the writings of the time, the prose is wordy and some would say verbose. Starting with details about Lincoln’s heritage, his grandfather also being an Abraham Lincoln, his father Tom, the brief life of his mother Nancy Hanks, the book traverses Lincoln’s life, election, presidency, the American Civil War, through his ultimate assassination in April of 1865.

Narration by Arthur Morey is superb. It’s apparent that Morey admired Sandburg’s writing and Abe himself.

If you are interested in the preeminent insight into Lincoln, an in-depth look at his foibles and amazing intellect, this read is a must. It is also an excellent American history lesson. Enjoy!

loved this book. I continually listen and learn more every time.definitely would recommend to all

This was a much appreciated listen and very moving. It's too bad that more politicians don't try to emulate President Lincoln. But I think there have been very few such extraordinary people who have risen to our highest political office. This book has had a dramatic impact on me. I most highly recommend it. It was very well read.

Lots of Lincoln books bv around but Sandberg brings more dedication and love to the telling than anyone else.

The prose is read (or is heard) as written by a poet, which it is, of course. The detail could only have been gathered by a dedicated author who interviewed contemporaries of Abraham Lincoln. What an American treasure we had in our Poet Laureate, Carl Sandburg. I remember his work, which I studied as a youth. I believe he also read a patriotic poem at the Inauguration of President John Kennedy, if I'm not mistaken.

This was an excellent book giving insight in Abraham Lincoln as a man.
I recommend this to any interested in our history.
The performance was excellent also.