LINCOLN HOW ABRAHAM LINCOLN Paperback – June 13, 2013

Lincoln: How Abraham Lincoln Ended Slavery in America by Harold Holzer"Lincoln: How Abraham Lincoln Ended Slavery in America" is the accessible companion piece to Steven Spielberg's excellent movie, "Lincoln". The book is intended for younger audiences but it was also enjoyed by this avid reader and reviewer. The book focuses on the evolution of Lincoln's views on slavery and how he was able to politically end slavery while preserving the Union. This well written 240-page book is composed of the following fourteen chapters: 1. The Making of a Liberator, 2. Romance, Law, and Politics, 3. The Lincolns Go to Washington Chapter, 4. The Prairies Are on Fire, 5. Right Makes Might, 6. The Mystic Chords of Memory, 7. A People's Conflict, 8. Fair Warning on Slavery, 9. The Day of Jubilee, 10. Fighting for Freedom, 11. Unfinished Work, 12. Year of Decision, 13. A Fitting and Necessary Conclusion, and 14. Death of a Liberator.Positives:1. Accessible and well written book about how President Lincoln ended slavery.2. Interesting topic in the hands of an accomplished historian. Even handed and professionally written book.3. The book is intended for young readers as a companion piece to Spielberg's "Lincoln". A great opportunity to teach our children an important chapter of our history while enjoying the book on its own merits. The distinct feature that makes this book appropriate for young readers is the author's graceful handling of slavery.4. The book shares many tidbits, personality traits and influences that had a lasting impression on Lincoln. "The horrific sight of human beings shackled together and sold as property may have changed Lincoln's life--and eventually the nation's life--forever".5. Lincoln's background and his political philosophy. "He supported road and canal projects that would link the state more closely and make it easier to ship goods from town to town. He favored a strong banking system that made certain that good supply".6. Lincoln's evolving views on slavery. "Slavery, Lincoln told one audience in a famous speech in Peoria that year, "is founded in the selfishness of man's nature--opposition to it is his love for justice."7. Political dynamics at work. The interactions and tug-a-wars between the separate powers. Lincoln's innate ability to handle conflicts in a pragmatic and focused manner.8. The author does a wonderful job of capturing the essence of Lincoln. Lincoln had a way with words and most of his eloquence is here for all to enjoy. "If Kentucky left, the whole West might be lost to the Confederacy forever. "I would like to have God on my side," Lincoln is said to have joked at the time. "But I must have Kentucky."9. Understanding the political divide. Slaveholders versus the antislavery movement. The quest to keep the Union. "Secession would not be tolerated. The Union must remain intact. Lincoln was willing to make some concessions after all. He promised to enforce the much-hated Fugitive Savage Act, infuriating abolitionists. And he repeated his vow that he would not interfere with slavery where it already existed. But above all, he pleaded with the South to reconsider its rush to leave the Union".10. A succinct account of the civil war. The most important victories and defeats. The reason behind it all, "Some people still insist to this day that the war was all about state's rights. But this is hardly true. The war was caused by secession. And secession was caused by slavery. One issue alone ignited the rebellion: the question of whether the nation could indeed endure half slave and half free".11. The impact of slavery, the book's focus revolves around Lincoln's handling and resolution of it. "The proclamation unrolled before them made clear that the Southern states had failed to heed the president's "fair warning." Rebels would thus lose their slaves forever".12. The impact of the proclamation. "The Emancipation Proclamation effectively kept England out of the Civil War".13. The political process of achieving full freedom. The amendment. The cost of freedom "Freedom had already cost some six hundred thousand lives North and South".14. Lincoln's legacy.15. Linked worked great.16. Excellent Appendix that includes: Cast of Characters, Chronology and the most famous Proclamations and Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address.Negatives:1. The book lacks depth which is expected from a companion piece to a movie.In summary, for a book intended for a younger audience I enjoyed this book. Author and historian Harold Holzer should be commended for achieving his goal of turning this book into the perfect reading companion to Spielberg's excellent movie, "Lincoln". It's accessible and covers the history of how Lincoln ended slavery intelligibly. If you are looking for the perfect book to give to a young reader regarding President Lincoln and slavery, you've found it. I highly recommend it!Further suggestions: Harold Holzer has written a number of great books on Lincoln, and of course " Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln " by Doris Kearns Goodwin from which the movie was based on.

This book was written to be a companion to the Steven Spielberg Film, Lincoln, currently in theaters. It focuses on the sixteenth president's tumultuous final months in office. Ending slavery was his primary focus. Even if you are not able to go see the movie, you have an abundance of historical detail right in this book.Be advised this is not a comprehensive biography of President Lincoln. It puts a microscope on his struggle to weigh his personal beliefs against presidential duties concerning the slavery issue. The Emancipation Proclamation issued two years earlier only authorized Union soldiers to liberate slaves in the south. A Constitutional amendment was needed to legally end slavery forever in the United States. The book tells us about America during those tumultuous times, Congress, and the people who fought or helped Lincoln.Although intended for young adult readers, the book is well suited for adults as well. Photographs spanning Lincoln's life, speeches, a chronology, and cast of characters are included. Another nice perk is the large type size.Here is an interesting aside. When Steven Spielberg, director of the movie, interviewed historical scholars prior to writing the screenplay, he took notes using an inkwell and fountain pens in order to place himself into that historical period. One wonders if he wrote the entire script in the same manner, with ink staining his fingers.Reviewed by Holly Weiss, author of Crestmont

I WANTED TO KNOW HOW EASY THIS BOOK WAS TO READ FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.NOT ONLY WAS IT EASY BUT INTERESTING AND KEPT THE STORY ABOUT OUR HISTOYY EASY AND FUN.IT WAS ENJOYABLE,I WILL BE TELL TEACHERS THAT I KNOW IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR THEM TO READ.THE BOOK IS NOT BORDING AT ALL.IF YOU HAVE NOT GUESS BY NOW I AM AN ADULT AND I SOME TIME READ BOOKS TO SEE IF THE YOUNG READ WII BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE BOOK.THE YOUNG PEOPLE ALWAS WANT TO KNOW THE BIG PERSON IS READ. THE ADULT CAN GET THE BOOK THAT THE MOVIE WAS BASE ON BY STEVEN SPIELBERG AND READ IT TOGETHER. GREAT READ FOR BOTH.OR THE ADULT CAN GET THIS BOOK AND READ IT WITH THE YOUNG ADULT. THIS WILL HELP THE YOUNG PERSON TO LIKE TO READ AND WANT TO READ MORE.

I thought I knew a lot about Lincoln, but I learned so much more from this book. I wish I had it before seeing the movie.The book and the movie put emphasis on the 13th Amendment with the Emancipation Proclamation a document proclaiming what needed to happen; not an instrument that would end slavery.

I watched the movie, "Lincoln" and this book fills in the gaps from the movie. It is a really interesting read, and I really enjoyed the insights you get from the movie and book! Everyone should read this to understand why Lincoln is considered the best President ever.

My wife bought it after watching the movie. It is well written and has some history complimenting to the movie.

Love Lincoln stories wherever they are written. This is digging in to the facts of the end of slavery. It is written for a middle school child. I will offer it to one i know when they are old enough.

I saw Lincoln the movie, when I read that book it help me visualize more of what it was like for Lincoln.

worth every single word in a book. amazing..!!