LINCOLN: A PHOTOBIOGRAPHY

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Freedman, Russell. 1987. LINCOLN: A PHOTOBIOGRAPHY. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN: 0-89919-380-3 Reading level: 8 to 12

PLOT SUMMARY

This bibliography about Lincoln consists of seven parts. “The mysterious Mr. Lincoln” refers to his overall personality as seen by friends, artists, and writers who knew him. Lincoln’s personality was that of a man of many faces, ambitious, humorous, moody, and melancholy but most people couldn’t fully understand who he was. The “backwoods boy” part deals with his early life. He was born near Hodgenville, Kentucky and lived in a log cabin with his mother, Nancy and father, Thomas. The worst part is he lost his mom in an epidemic. He couldn’t go to school and educated himself becoming addicted to reading. According to the text, he had a reputation as a comic and storyteller. In new Salem, he had many opportunities to make good friends and mingle with the town’s intellectuals. But, he had to work harder because his general store partner, William berry left a $1,000 debt and died. At many work places, his fluent language, honesty, and dependable attitude gave him more professional opportunities. He worked in the House of Representatives of Illinois and he decide to be a lawyer. The third part, “law and politics” describes his law practices in Springfield, his debut at the Congress, and his marriage. It also deals with his two boys, Robert and Eddie. His issue focused on the anti-slavery and anti-war to get the Mexican territory. In his personal life, he lost his son, Eddie. ‘Half slave and half free’ part mentions about his anti-slavery work. Although he was already interested in this problem, in this part, more details are provided. Especially, his debate on the issue was with a senator, Stephen A. Douglas. According to the book, Douglas defended his doctrine of popular sovereignty. The nation could endure half slave and half free, he argued. Lincoln replied that popular sovereignty was just a smoke screen to allow the spread of slavery. The country had endured half slave and half free for decades only because most people believed slavery would die out. In addition, he was elected as a presidential candidate by the republican legislature and he won. ‘Emancipation’ and ‘This dreadful war’ parts are focused on the American Civil War and emancipation proclamation. It was between the Union and Southern slave states. The union was led by the president, Abraham Lincoln and the Republican Party, and opposed the expansion of slavery. But, other eleven Southern slave states declared their secession and formed the Confederate States of America, led by the president, Jefferson Davis. And Lincoln also lost his son, Willie. It was a second family tragedy. Although the war caused many losses of lives and property, the slavery was gone and Lincoln’s political position was strengthened. The last part “Who is dead in the white house?” is about his assassination. The subject heading shows that “I know I’m in danger, but I’m not going to worry about it.” On April 14, 1865, peaceful Friday night, Lincoln went to the Ford’s Theatre to watch the play ‘our American cousin.’ During the third act, the presidential box was opened and one shadowy figure fired a fatal shot to the Lincoln’s head. He was a well-known actor, John Wilkes Booth. He shouted "Sic semper tyrannis" ("Thus always to tyrants") and escaped. Although five doctors tried to save Lincoln’s life, he died on April 15 at the age of fifty-six.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The sentences are very fact-oriented and detailed. They are very objective and logical. If students want to know more about Lincoln’s individual life, this book deals with historical and social background as well as Lincoln’s career, marriage, and presidential life. Although all illustrations and pictures are black and white, the quality is very high, thus clear to recognize. Every picture and illustration is accompanied by an appropriate text to supplement, and contains very short but understandable caption. In addition, the book contains ‘a Lincoln sampler’ which is a collection of his quotations; Lincoln’s footsteps; books about Lincoln; and Acknowledgments and picture credits.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Booklist (December 15, 1989)
Gr. 4-10. This realistic, perceptive, and unromanticized biography of Lincoln includes a sampler of quotations from his writings and speeches.

Publishers Weekly (October 13, 1989)
This Newbery Award-winning study of our 16th president is highly readable and meticulously organized. In a boxed review, PW hailed it as a ``superb, encompassing account'' of ``an intriguing, recognizable human being.'' Ages 8-12. (Sept.)

CONNECTIONS

Activity
*Let students compare Lincoln with other presidents such as George Washington and Eleanor Roosevelt.
*Let students make a team with 4 or 5, and then make drama for one scene of their favorite.
*If available, bring children to the Lincoln’s historic sites. Parents need to prepare materials of Lincoln before visiting.