Abraham Lincoln, Volume I

A portrait of the statesman traces his humble origins and the formative social and intellectual environment that shaped him, follows his rise in public life, analyzes his conduct during the national crisis of secession and war, and profiles the circle of leaders who guided civil policy. It emphasizes his combination of prudence, patience, tolerance toward rivals, capacity for delayed but decisive action, and skill at holding diverse factions together, while acknowledging persistent enigmas in his character. The book combines narrative biography with political and psychological commentary to explain how personal qualities and historical forces interacted in his ascent and wartime leadership.