Abraham Lincoln: The Man behind the Myths

by Stephen B. Oates

Overview

“There is no better introduction to current thinking about Lincoln and his place in history.” —Newsday

“Oates re-creates the life and world of Abraham Lincoln with the skill of a master painter. He succeeds in portraying both the facts and myths of history as essential to our understanding it.” —Christian Science Monitor

An essential book for any student of Lincoln and American history, Abraham Lincoln: The Man Behind the Myths is acclaimed Lincoln biographer Stephen B. Oates's unique exploration of America's sixteenth president in reality and memory. 

In this multifaceted portrait, Oates, "the most popular historical interpreter of Lincoln" (Gabor S. Boritt, New York Times Book Review), exposes the human side of the great and tragic president—including his depression, his difficulties with love, and his troubled and troubling attitudes about slavery—while also confronting the many legends that have arisen around "Honest Abe." Oates throughout raises timely questions about what the Lincoln mythos reveals about the American people.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780060924720
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	03/15/2011
Series:	Harper Perennial
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	597,565
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	14 - 18 Years

About the Author

Stephen B. Oates (1936-2021) was a professor emeritus of history at the University of Massachusetts–Amherst. His books include Let the Trumpet Sound: A Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. and With Malice Toward None: A Life of Abraham Lincoln. Oates has been awarded numerous honors, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, Robert F. Kennedy Book Award, and Nevins-Freeman Award of the Civil War Round Table of Chicago for lifetime achievement in the field of Civil War studies.

Editorial Reviews

There is no better introduction to current thinking about Lincoln and his place in history.” — Newsday

“Oates re-creates the life and world of Abraham Lincoln with the skill of a master painter. He succeeds in portraying both the facts and myths of history as essential to our understanding it.” — Christian Science Monitor

“There is a piece of Lincoln in us all. This book can help us find it.” — William C. Davis

"Oates is right: the time has come to demythologize Lincoln—to chip from his hallowed memory the crusts of rumor, fable, and nonsense." — Washington Post

"A powerful book." — Richmond Times-Dispatch

From the Publisher

Oates re-creates the life and world of Abraham Lincoln with the skill of a master painter. He succeeds in portraying both the facts and myths of history as essential to our understanding it.

Christian Science Monitor

There is no better introduction to current thinking about Lincoln and his place in history.

Newsday

There is a piece of Lincoln in us all. This book can help us find it.

William C. Davis

"A powerful book."

Richmond Times-Dispatch

"Oates is right: the time has come to demythologize Lincoln—to chip from his hallowed memory the crusts of rumor, fable, and nonsense."

Washington Post

"Oates is right: the time has come to demythologize Lincoln—to chip from his hallowed memory the crusts of rumor, fable, and nonsense."

Washington Post

Oates distills the historical truth from the mythical legend that surrounds Abraham Lincoln in this original and fascinating portrait of America's 16th president.

bn.com