Lincoln: The Biography of a Writer

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 16th 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 and engrossing 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.

“A fresh, revealing study of both Lincoln's language and character.” —Publishers Weekly

“A new, solid, meaningful, even moving approach to the sixteenth president.” —Booklist

“Fascinating . . . persuasive, highly perceptive.” —Michiko Kakutani, New York Times

“Compelling.” —Francine Prose, O, the Oprah magazine

“Absorbing.” —Leon Wieseltier, The New Republic

“An elegant portrait of Lincoln’s literary sensibility.” —Ted Widmer, New York Observer

“Powerful and convincing.” —The Los Angeles Times

“Superb. . . . Kaplan demonstrates how [Lincoln] organized his thoughts and blended them into logical, effective and often soaringly eloquent treatises.” —The Seattle Times

“Essential reading for any Lincoln student preparing to dip into the rich field of Lincoln’s writings.” —Allen Barra, The Baltimore Sun

“Mr. Kaplan makes a good case. How many American writers, after all, have had their words chiseled in marble and, so to speak, graven in the hearts of their countrymen?” —The Wall Street Journal