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)

Right Man at the Right Time.

What struck me most was Lincoln's emphasis on developing his moral arguments over a lifetime by keeping and adding to notes he kept. I think most people fail to develop in depth good ideas and arguments. Lincoln by contrast kept them front and center. Fantastic book. One of my favorites!

Extremely thorough without being boring!

Would you listen to A. Lincoln again? Why?

I doubt I would listen to the book again but ONLY because it is so long. The story is very well told and Mr. Weideman's voice is very suited for this narrative.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A. Lincoln?

Feeling the personal pressures and heartaches being brought to life that Mr. Lincoln suffered through both personally and politically/professionally. We know details of his Presidency, but to add in the personal side of what he went through was very eye-opening.

What does Bill Weideman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Tone and emotion. The emotion put into Mr. Lincoln's thoughts and comments truly bring Lincoln to life in a way that self-reading the book would not have done.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The death of the Lincoln's son and then so shortly afterward a dearly loved family friend was touching in a deeply almost invasive-to-their-lives feeling way. It was both perfectly written and read.

Any additional comments?

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Civil War history or the life of Abraham Lincoln. The details given about those close to or involved with Lincoln either personally or professionally could bog the story down but they don't. They enhance and fill out this biography into a full-bodied story of not only a great leader but of a man with deep emotions and well thought out actions.

Slow, Slow, Slow.

The history behind this great man is fascinating but the book tended to draw too much on the details of the Illinois Legislature, and the US Congress rather than Lincoln the man. Certainly a good book if you want to the details of congress, but if you're looking to hear about Lincoln as a man, father, husband, and beloved President, you might want to get another opinion.

Brilliant! Thorough we'll researched and delivered

Excellant tribute to an exceptional complex man! He lived a well spent life and became savior to a nation without whom would have failed. Bless his soul.

Real Person Here

My, my, my. Lincoln is a fascinating man and his story is not one of success.

Contrary to my presumptions, Lincoln worked very hard and lost many elections and battles in war. His ability to construct a sentence is unlike any other. That allowed him to express himself clearly and precisely while showing his conviction, spirit, and humor.

At the end of the day, he trusted himself unconditionally and the world benefited because of him.
Narrator is good, brings some personality to the man, inflection change on quotes so the listener is aware.
A little dry at times, but it is a biography so you know what you've signed up for.

A Powerful Rendering of Lincoln's Life

I could not put this book down. It is well written and narrated. I have listened or read books on Lincoln but this is by far one of the best I have listened to. I highly recommend it.

Enjoy very much.

An amazing man was Lincoln. Narrator was good. lmLearned allot about American history. would relisten to in the future. Very well researched.

Great Lincoln

While not exhaustive, Ronald White manages a detailed account of A. Lincoln's great life, with special attention to his speeches and letters which reveal so much of the man and his thoughts. A great read. You feel as though you know him a little better.

The chapters are wrong but the reading is great

The chapter titles are in the wrong sections which is very annoying if you are switching between reading it and listening. Chapter 14 is actually reading chapter 12 and so on. The reading is great and he states the right chapters so I think this is more of a audible issue.

Great Man - Very Interesting

Great biography of a great man.
Inspiring book.
Though it is very long and VERY detailed, at times too detailed, it is likely that Lincoln, the man of facts and details would have liked it. It starts very slowly and takes time to get into the story, but again, it was probably very typical of Lincoln to be this way.
Recommended.