Charnwood describes the frontier life and continual self-education that developed Lincoln's rare character and helped him to adapt to great events and demands such as few other men have experienced. Lincoln, the man, is analyzed against the dramatic historical background of the colonial days, the revolution, the War of 1812, the Missouri compromise, secession, and the Civil War. Lincoln's Administrative genius, his war strategy, and his neglect of the lesser for the greater are all presented in this portrait.

Unabridged.