Product Description

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) was one of the most influential presidents of the USA, uniting the country and abolishing slavery after a terrible civil war. On the 200th anniversary of his birth, his life and works are presented here in an easy introductory form. Through a balance of biography and the key speeches and letters, the man is brought to life, demonstrating his keen intelligence and determination, which was maintained all the way to his tragic death at the hand of an assassin.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #327990 in Books
• Published on: 2009-01-02
• Formats: Abridged, Audiobook
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 3
• Dimensions: .44 pounds
• Binding: Audio CD
• 3 pages

Review
Last year, a letter written by Abraham Lincoln in 1864 sold in New York for a record GBP1.7m. Which reflects the enduring popularity of the American president who emancipated the slaves, and possibly a keen anticipation of even greater interest this year, the 200th anniversary of his birth. But it must also be a tribute to the unaffected warmth and fluency of his letter-writing style, whether to establishment grandees or ordinary families bereaved by the war that freed the slaves. The biography that kicks off this handy primer is concise but workaday, the extracts from the speeches are mostly rousing, and the actors easier on the ear than, as a contemporary described it, Lincoln's 'shrill, squeaking, piping' voice, but for the true essence of the man whose influence is much evoked in the current White House, turn to the letters. --- Karen Robinson, The Sunday Times

This often heart-rending collection of speeches, letters and biography, brought out to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of one of the greatest US leaders, will have you glory, glory hallelujahing by the time you get to the end of the Gettysburg address. - --Sue Arnold, The Guardian

The eloquence of his speeches and the humanity of his letters are palpable. An authoritative, not sycophantic, narration. --Rachel Redford, The observer

Customer Reviews

Good but needs concentration
This was good but I didn't find it as easy to listen to as other biographies. But at least with audio CD you can effortlessly listen over again.