DK Biography: Abraham Lincoln: A Photographic Story of a Life by Tanya Lee Stone

 DK Biography: Abraham Lincoln: A Photographic Story of a Life by Tanya Lee Stone-128 pages

This is a short, but informative biography of the 16th President of the United States. I already knew some about his life, especially his time as President. However, I did learn a few new things, especially about his childhood and life before his Presidency. For example, Lincoln worked many different odd jobs including working at general stores and co-owning a general store. He did a lot of things before becoming a lawyer and then politician. His positions on issues evolved over time. For most of his life up until the time he issued the Emancipation Proclamation he simply didn't want to allow slavery to extend. It could continue to exist where it was already legal. Lincoln was against slavery but was not a staunch abolitionist. Some may not realize that he used a lot of executive powers during the Civil War, including suspending the writ of Habeas Corpus to have southern sympathizers (especially in Maryland, so that they wouldn't secede and Washington wouldn't be surrounded) arrested. Also, income tax was instituted during the Civil War as a way to pay for the growing costs of the war. Lincoln is considered by many to be one of the greatest presidents (and I agree). He didn't have much formal schooling. He mostly taught himself to read and write and law, among other subjects. This was a pretty light, easy read and I would recommend it to anyone wanting a basic knowledge of Lincoln. I would give it 4 out of 5 stars. 

Abe Lincoln at Last! by Mary Pope Osborne

Abe Lincoln at Last! by Mary Pope Osborne-130 pages (Kindle Edition)

Jack and Annie meet Abraham Lincoln in this Magic Tree House adventure, along with his two sons Tad and Willie. The magic given to Jack and Annie by Teddy and Kathleen takes them back to when Lincoln was a boy in Indiana, which gives them an in when they need to meet him again later as President. Merlin has tasked Jack and Annie to give Abraham Lincoln hope by receiving a feather and giving the feather. I have really enjoyed reading the Magic Tree House books over again and plan to read two more before the end of the month (along with a few other books).

Bayonet! Forward: My Civil War Reminiscences by Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain

Bayonet! Forward: My Civil War Reminiscences by Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain-328 pages

General Chamberlain was Colonel of the 20th Maine at Little Round Top at the Battle of Gettysburg and successfully defended it with a bayonet charge. He was also at Fredericksburg, Petersburg, White Oak Road, Five Forks, and several other major Civil War battles in which the Union Army of the Potomac fought. Additionally, he (his division) was chosen to take the official surrender of arms of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia after Lee's surrender at Appamattox. I have previously read a biography about Chamberlain and one of his works and immediately wanted to read this book when I came across it on Goodreads. This was a good read and Chamberlain is clearly a good orator and writer, after all he was professor of rhetoric and oratory at Bowdoin College in Maine before his enlistment. His thoughts and remembrances of his experiences during the Civil War are compelling and thought-provoking, although glorifying of war and his experience a bit. One can tell that he was an intellectual, thoughtful man who was also humble and contrite. His thoughts on his peers and superiors are particularly compelling. Overall, this was a good read.

The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaptation by Jonathan Hennessey

The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaptation by Jonathan Hennessey-224 pages

This was very thought-provoking and interesting. I am a history enthusiast, especially the Civil War and Reconstruction Era of the United States. I am glad to have read this and it is a good, thought-provoking account of the meaning of each phrase and the whole of the Gettysburg Address and its place in American past and present.

The Ideals Guide to American Civil War Places by Julie Shively

The Ideals Guide to American Civil War Places by Julie Shively-272 pages

This was an interesting read. I knew about many of the historic sites and places mentioned, but there were a few new to me, so that made it worth while. I worked for a summer at one of the places mentioned (Shiloh National Military Park in Tennessee) and have visited several others, but I have yet to visit any in the east and I really want to go to Gettysburg, Antietam, and to all the sites in Virginia. I wanted to read this not only because it meets the travel requirement for this month but also because I am somewhat of a Civil War expert/historian and I have visited and want to visit many of the sites detailed in this volume.
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The Fateful Lightning by Jeff Shaara

The Fateful Lightning by Jeff Shaara-615 pages

I enjoyed reading this novelization of Sherman's March to the Sea. The characterization and humanization of Generals Sherman and Hardee, and Captain Seeley are intriguing. Additionally, Shaara's presentation of a freed slave named Franklin is most intriguing, though a bit stereotypical. I like the way Shaara chooses a few people to follow throughout the events and attempts to humanize these historical events. In many ways, he succeeds, which is why I so enjoy reading his novels. One thing I found disappointing about this particular novel, though, is that he leaves Franklin's story hanging. He spends a lot of time developing Franklin's character and then leaves the reader hanging a bit (although he does include an ending in his Afterword). One other small complaint I have is that he includes one chapter on General William B. Hazen when it is necessary, but does not develop his character at all and includes nothing about him in the Afterword. Overall, though, I liked this novel just as well as every Shaara novel I have read so far.

A Wicked War: Polk, Clay, Lincoln & the 1846 U.S. Invasion of Mexico

A Wicked War: Polk, Clay, Lincoln & the 1846 U.S. Invasion of Mexico by Amy S. Greenberg

344 pages

This publication tells the story of how America purposely drew Mexico into a war. The history of American involvement was told through the historical characters of James S. Polk, Abraham Lincoln, and Henry Clay. I also enjoyed reading about Nicholas Trist, who bravely defied President Polk to negotiate a treaty with the Mexican government. 

Mrs. Lincoln's Rival by Jennifer Chiaverini

Mrs. Lincoln's Rival by Jennifer Chiaverini - 419 pages

Mrs. Lincoln's Rival is the third of Chiaverini's nonofficial "Women of the Civil War" series (Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker and The Spymistress being the others).  In this novel, the woman followed during the war years is Miss Kate Chase, daughter of Salmon P. Chase who first served as Lincoln's Secretary of the Treasury then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.  As Mr. Chase was a widower, Kate, his eldest daughter, served as his confidant and lady of the house.  Also detailed is Kate's friendship with Lincoln's secretary, John Hay, and her turbulent courtship and marriage to Rhode Island governor turned senator William Sprague.

This book was okay, but it "felt" more like a soap opera and I think Chiaverini made Kate overly wise, as Kate was only 17-22 over the book's course.

Killing Lincoln

Killing Lincoln

by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard

Killing Lincoln

by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard

324 pages

John Wilkes Booth originally prepared to kidnap President Lincoln. However, his objective quickly changed after the conclusion of the Civil War. This book tells the dramatic story of how John Wilkes Booth plotted and executed his ruthless plan, with the assistance of several co-conspirators, to murder the President. The manhunt that followed was organized by Lafayette C. Baker. His diligence helped bring the fugitives to justice.