The Life of Abraham Lincoln

This is a decent account of one of the most important US presidents, especially because it was published in 1901, a time when some people who actually knew Lincoln were alive. However, I have two reservations about this biography. The first is this biography is somewhat dull. Perhaps this is because the writing style was very different back then. Secondly, this not an objective biography by any measure. The author is clearly an admirer of Lincoln. Here is a short quotation to show illustrate how far this admiration runs: “It took years for them to comprehend the fact that in Mr. Lincoln the country had the wisest, truest, gentlest, noblest, most sagacious President who had occupied the chair of state since Washington retired from it.” This book can still be of value if you understand that it’s not intended to be objective.

A bit boring

Great for high-school level reading.

Book given as Christmas gift. Had great info and was great reading into the life of Abraham Lincoln. Will recommend this book others.

I did not know a lot about Abraham Lincoln,but I admired him nevertheless.i learned a lot about him from this book

Henry Ketcham served under Lincoln as a general in the Union army, so his biography of Abraham Lincoln pulls from his personal knowledge and deep love for our president. He gives us interesting details and the book flows nicely. Of course, writing so long ago, his vocabulary and his way of stating things sometimes confused me, and I used the dictionary feature of my kindle frequently, but I like to stretch my brain occasionally. I enjoyed learning more about this great man, and recommend the book.

Well, you can't beat the price, and the book was worth much more than that. Published in 1901, it has the advantage of closeness, almost immediacy. Perhaps the author's perspective is slanted in favor of Lincoln. I wouldn't know. Ketcham writes a favorable portrait of the man, and I am willing to accept it. In fact, I have wished for a man like Abraham Lincoln to appear today--is there any chance of that?--a man who would not compromise his principles, not for money, not to be popular, not even to be elected. Our union, the United States of America, says Ketcham, we owe to Lincoln.