Lincoln: A Photobiography
by Russell Freedman
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Photographs and text trace the life of the Civil War President.Tags
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Member Reviews
I was excited to see that Russell Freedman’s 1988 Newbery winner, Lincoln: A Photobiography was now available as an audiobook (no doubt due to the 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial). The second disc includes an interview with the author and is enhanced with a Flash slideshow of a few (but nowhere near all) of the archival photographs from the book. Broadway and movie actor Robert Petkoff narrates the book, providing variation in voices for the numerous quotations (by and about Lincoln) used throughout it.
This audiobook was fascinating. Freedman chose details (and quotes) that would be of interest to both children and adults, and wove them into a cohesive narrative. I thought I knew a lot about Lincoln, but I learned a lot from this show more book.
Despite my fondness for audiobooks, this is one that definitely should be paired with the print book. The Flash slide show only includes a few photos from the book, probably because permission could not be obtained from the various sources (listed on page 145 of the book) to use all of them in the Flash format. There are a couple of great series of photos of Lincoln, one set (pages 64-65) showing the progression of his beard growth in 1860-61, and another set (pages 116-117) showing how the strain of the Civil War aged him. The print book also includes appendices on Lincoln memorials/monuments/museums and books about Lincoln, and an index. I could definitely see a struggling reader using the audiobook along with the print version.
On the other hand, the interview with Freedman on the audiobook is valuable, with some great quotes of its own: “Biography lends itself to the art of narrative…to the fascinating spectacle of character meeting circumstance and either changing events or being changed by them—or both, as happened to Lincoln.”
Referring to the research he did for this book, which included travel to many sites relevant to Lincoln, Freedman also said, “Everything you see with your own eyes adds to your understanding of the life and times you are writing about.” Probably the best thing about Lincoln: A Photobiography is that it took me days to write this review, because I kept exploring little tidbits in it , like the photograph of 1858 Springfield on page 29 (which is part of a postcard series). A book that can inspire that kind of curiosity is rare. show less
This audiobook was fascinating. Freedman chose details (and quotes) that would be of interest to both children and adults, and wove them into a cohesive narrative. I thought I knew a lot about Lincoln, but I learned a lot from this show more book.
Despite my fondness for audiobooks, this is one that definitely should be paired with the print book. The Flash slide show only includes a few photos from the book, probably because permission could not be obtained from the various sources (listed on page 145 of the book) to use all of them in the Flash format. There are a couple of great series of photos of Lincoln, one set (pages 64-65) showing the progression of his beard growth in 1860-61, and another set (pages 116-117) showing how the strain of the Civil War aged him. The print book also includes appendices on Lincoln memorials/monuments/museums and books about Lincoln, and an index. I could definitely see a struggling reader using the audiobook along with the print version.
On the other hand, the interview with Freedman on the audiobook is valuable, with some great quotes of its own: “Biography lends itself to the art of narrative…to the fascinating spectacle of character meeting circumstance and either changing events or being changed by them—or both, as happened to Lincoln.”
Referring to the research he did for this book, which included travel to many sites relevant to Lincoln, Freedman also said, “Everything you see with your own eyes adds to your understanding of the life and times you are writing about.” Probably the best thing about Lincoln: A Photobiography is that it took me days to write this review, because I kept exploring little tidbits in it , like the photograph of 1858 Springfield on page 29 (which is part of a postcard series). A book that can inspire that kind of curiosity is rare. show less
A concise, illuminating description of the life of Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by numerous archival photographs and other illustrative material.
Russell Freedman's writing really shines as he brings a legendry figure to life. The text is accessible enough for a child audience, but capable of holding the interest of adults, as well. This book deservedly won the 1988 Newbery Medal, and I would say it was ahead of its time, and paved the way for other juvenile biographies of merit.
Russell Freedman's writing really shines as he brings a legendry figure to life. The text is accessible enough for a child audience, but capable of holding the interest of adults, as well. This book deservedly won the 1988 Newbery Medal, and I would say it was ahead of its time, and paved the way for other juvenile biographies of merit.
Abraham Lincoln stood out in a crowd as much for his wit and rollicking humor as for his height. This Newbery Medal-winning biography of our Civil War president is warm, appealing, and illustrated with dozens of carefully chosen photographs and prints.
Russell Freedman begins with a lively account of Abraham Lincoln's boyhood, his career as a country lawyer, and his courtship and marriage to Mary Todd. Then the author focuses on the presidential years (1861 to 1865), skillfullly explaining the many complex issues Lincoln grappled with as he led a deeply divided nation through the Civil War. The book's final chapter is a moving account of that tragic evening in Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865. Concludes with a sampling of Lincoln show more writings and a detailed list of Lincoln historical sites. show less
Russell Freedman begins with a lively account of Abraham Lincoln's boyhood, his career as a country lawyer, and his courtship and marriage to Mary Todd. Then the author focuses on the presidential years (1861 to 1865), skillfullly explaining the many complex issues Lincoln grappled with as he led a deeply divided nation through the Civil War. The book's final chapter is a moving account of that tragic evening in Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865. Concludes with a sampling of Lincoln show more writings and a detailed list of Lincoln historical sites. show less
Following the life of an American icon, this text tries to capture the image of the man that history has mostly glossed over. Sullen, morose, and a gifted speaker; Lincoln was more than what the history books depict but rather a real, breathing person with faults and incredible strengths. This book uses a rich selection of photographs, historical illustrations and cartoons, as well as letters and articles to show Lincoln for all that he truly was.
I found this book riveting and I learned so much about a figure everyone thinks they know. I had heard of his mercurial nature but it was fascinating to hear firsthand accounts and stories of his life as well as be drawn in by the wonderful assortment of images. Truly a treasure of American show more history. show less
I found this book riveting and I learned so much about a figure everyone thinks they know. I had heard of his mercurial nature but it was fascinating to hear firsthand accounts and stories of his life as well as be drawn in by the wonderful assortment of images. Truly a treasure of American show more history. show less
I never thought a biography of a president could ever surprise me, but this one definitely did. Even with my love of history, I expected to be bored with Lincoln: A Photobiography due to it's being geared towards children. I couldn't have been more wrong. It's written with the middle-grade student in mind, but is easily fascinating for adults. The combination of written information with photographs made the book much more informative. Winning the Newbery Award in 1988, it mixes the lesser known facts with the basics about this great man, creating an informative, but engrossing read.
This 1988 Newbery Medal-winning biography of our Civil War president is warm, appealing, and illustrated with dozens of carefully chosen photographs and prints. Russell Freedman begins with a lively account of Abraham Lincoln's boyhood, his career as a country lawyer, and his courtship and marriage to Mary Todd. Then the author focuses on the presidential years (1861 to 1865), skillfully explaining the many complex issues Lincoln grappled with as he led a deeply divided nation through the Civil War. The book's final chapter is a moving account of that tragic evening in Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865. Additional content includes a sampling of Lincoln's writings and a detailed list of Lincoln historical sites.
I came expecting a very personal photographic look at the life of Lincoln, "the most photographed man of his time." This is not really the focus of the book, which tells a more straightforward story of his life, along with the history of civil war politics. As a book for young readers, it is certainly a good introduction to this hero of the presidency, with a combination of the personal and the political.
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Author Information
70+ Works 20,403 Members
Russell Freedman was born in San Francisco, California on October 11, 1929. He received a bachelor's degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley in 1951. After college, he served in the U.S. Counter Intelligence Corps during the Korean War. After his military service, he became a reporter and editor with the Associated Press. In show more 1956, he took a position at the advertising agency J. Walter Thompson in New York, where he did publicity writing for television. In 1965, he became a full-time writer. His first book, Teenagers Who Made History, was published in 1961. He went on to publish more than 60 nonfiction titles for young readers including Immigrant Kids, Cowboys of the Old West, Indian Chiefs, Martha Graham: A Dancer's Life, Confucius: The Golden Rule, Because They Marched: The People's Campaign for Voting Rights That Changed America, Vietnam: A History of the War, and The Sinking of the Vasa. He received the Newbery Medal for Lincoln: A Photobiography and three Newbery Honors for Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery, The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane, and The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights. He also received the Regina Medal, the May Hill Arbuthnot Lecture Award, the Orbis Pictus Award, the Sibert Medal, a Sibert Honor, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, and the National Humanities Medal. He died on March 16, 2018 at the age of 88. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Awards and Honors
Awards
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Has as a teacher's guide
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Lincoln: A Photobiography
- Original publication date
- 1987
- People/Characters
- Abraham Lincoln
- Important places
- USA; Illinois, USA; Washington, D.C., USA
- Important events
- Dred Scott Decision (1857); United States presidential election (1860); Emancipation Proclamation (1863-01-01); Gettysburg Address (1863-11); Assassination of Abraham Lincoln (1865-04-14)
- First words
- Abraham Lincoln wasn't the sort of man who could lose himself in a crowd.
- Quotations
- "In all my interviews with Mr. Lincoln," Douglass said later, "I was impressed with his entire freedom from popular prejudice against the colored race. He was the first great man that I talked with in the United States freel... (show all)y, who in no single instance reminded me of the difference between himself and myself, of the difference of color, and I thought that all more remarkable because he came from a state where there were black laws."
As president, he had been denounced, ridiculed, and damned by a legion of critics. When he saw an article that complimented him, he often kept it. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)All those who believe that Slavery weakens America's power and tarnishes your good name throughout the world, and who regard the restoration of your Union as a thing to be desired...are heartily longing for the reelection of Mr. Lincoln...they think they have observed in his career a grand simplicity of purpose and a patriotism which knows no change and does not falter.
- Original language
- English
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir, Tween, Kids
- DDC/MDS
- 973.70924 — History & geography History of North America United States Civil War Era (1857-1865) Civil War
- LCC
- E457.905 .F73 — History of the United States United States Civil War period, 1861-1865 Lincoln's administrations, 1861-April 15, 1865
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 2,982
- Popularity
- 5,978
- Reviews
- 60
- Rating
- (4.07)
- Languages
- English, Korean
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 25
- UPCs
- 2
- ASINs
- 19