The phenomenal national bestseller that is "the Lincoln biography for this generation" (Arthur Schlesinger, Jr.)-now in paperback. Drawing on resources not available until recently, including Lincoln's personal papers, archives, and newspaper reports, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Herbert Donald presents a masterful account of Lincoln's rise to the presidency and the political and personal challenges he faced while in office. David Herbert Donald's Lincoln is a stunningly original portrait of Lincoln's life and presidency. Donald brilliantly depicts Lincoln's gradual ascent from humble beginnings in rural Kentucky to the ever-expanding political circles in Illinois, and finally to the presidency of a country divided by civil war. Donald goes beyond biography, illuminating the gradual development of Lincoln's character, chronicling his tremendous capacity for evolution and growth, thus illustrating what made it possible for a man so inexperienced and so unprepared for the presidency to become a great moral leader. In the most troubled of times, here was a man who led the country out of slavery and preserved a shattered Union-in short, one of the greatest presidents this country has ever seen.

"A Touchstone book."

Annals of the poor -- A piece of floating driftwood -- Cold, calculating, unimpassioned reason -- Always a Whig -- Lone star of Illinois -- At the head of his profession in this state -- There are no Whigs -- A hose divided -- The taste is in my mouth -- An accidental instrument -- A people's contest -- The bottom is out of the tub -- An instrument in God's hands -- A pumkin in each end of my bag -- What will the country say! -- A new birth of freedom -- The greatest question ever presented to practical statesmanship -- It was not best to swap horses -- I am pretty sure-footed -- With charity for all -- I will take care of myself.