Publisher Description

For Abraham Lincoln, whether he was composing love letters, speeches, or legal arguments, words mattered. In Lincoln, acclaimed biographer Fred Kaplan explores the life of America's sixteenth president through his use of language both as a vehicle to express complex ideas and feelings and as an instrument of persuasion and empowerment. This unique account of Lincoln's life and career highlights the shortcomings of the modern presidency, reminding us, through Lincoln's legacy and appreciation for language, that the careful and honest use of words is a necessity for successful democracy.Illuminating and engrossing, Lincoln brilliantly chronicles Abraham Lincoln's genius with language.

Back Cover

For Abraham Lincoln, whether he was composing love letters, speeches, or legal arguments, words mattered. In Lincoln, acclaimed biographer Fred Kaplan explores the life of America's sixteenth president through his use of language both as a vehicle to express complex ideas and feelings and as an instrument of persuasion and empowerment. This unique account of Lincoln's life and career highlights the shortcomings of the modern presidency, reminding us, through Lincoln's legacy and appreciation for language, that the careful and honest use of words is a necessity for successful democracy. Illuminating and engrossing, Lincoln brilliantly chronicles Abraham Lincoln's genius with language.

Author Biography

Fred Kaplan is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of English at Queens College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. He is the author of Lincoln: The Biography of a Writer, which was named a Best Book of the Year by the New York Times and Washington Post, among other publications. His biography of Thomas Carlyle was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Pulitzer Prize. He lives in Maine.

Review

"Absorbing." -- Leon Wieseltier, The New Republic "Lively... Kaplan does a good job of tracing the young man's reading habits, identifying favorite books and noting their influence on the mature politician... Powerful and convincing... Kaplan is a biographer on a mission." -- The Los Angeles Times

Review Quote

"Superb. . . . This intensely researched, thoughtfully written volume is more than a biography, it's also a practical and inspiring guide for writers. . . . Quoting many of Lincoln's texts, Kaplan demonstrates how their author organized his thoughts and blended them into logical, effective and often soaringly eloquent treatises."

Description for Teachers/Educators

"Group ads in Journal of American History, American Historical Review, and PS: Political Science; feature in conference program of American Historical Assn. (January) Finished book mailing to top professors: speech writingPromote, with galley, at APSA (Sept), American Historical Association (January), and Modern Language Association (Dec.)

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