The narrative presents the subject's life from humble frontier birth through family struggles and self-education, describing early work on the frontier, a thirst for books, and varied jobs that led to study of law. It follows a political rise through competitive debates, election to national leadership, and stewardship during the Civil War, recounting major campaigns and the Emancipation efforts, a second-term campaign, and the leader's assassination and funeral. Episodes are simplified for young readers, arranged chronologically with illustrations and short chapters that emphasize character, perseverance, and national conflict.