Lincoln and the Civil War

Both of these titles are part of a the new Concise Lincoln Library series. They are similar in format, short, moderately priced and able to fit in a jacket pocket or small purse for easy travel reading. They are well edited, have none of the usual typos, and waste no space with “filler” dialogue.However, each covers a separate agenda. The first title contains a condensed version, in my opinion, of Michael Burlingame’s previous works. The book is divided into 11 chapters, each dealing with various phases of Lincoln’s handling of the Civil War. Although the liner notes claim the book offers new perspectives on Lincoln’s personality, I failed to find them.

What I did find is an interesting premise that the Union waged war from an “underdog” position. Burlingame writes from that perspective and shows how Lincoln’s “steady hand” turned the tide to victory. I found this very interesting “food for thought” and further study. I think you will as well, and this book would be a worthy addition to your library.The second title is a study of the Lincoln marriage, with background information on the Lincolns’ early lives. There is little new here for the advanced student, but it is interesting reading nonetheless.As the book progresses, author Kenneth Winkle uses a novel device: he compares the Lincolns to the average middle-class couples of the day. I found this most interesting. Quite differently, he compares Mary’s grief to that of Queen Victoria.Abraham and Mary’s whole life together is covered in less than 150 pages. Winkle explains the strange dichotomy of their relationship: Mary was a strong asset to Lincoln’s career but at the same time proved detrimental. I found this book lacking in depth, but one cannot have it all in so short a volume.Both of these books would be valuable additions to a Lincoln Library and both provide ample directions for further learning and research.–Joseph A. Truglio “Civil War News” (1/1/2012 12:00:00 AM)

Abraham Lincoln was a pivotal figure in 19th Century American history. Adding to the growing library of Lincoln Studies are four volumes newly published by the Southern Illinois University Press…”Lincoln and the Civil War” (9780809330539, $19.95, 160 pages) by Michael Burlingame examines the role of Abraham Lincoln and his administration during the years of the bloodiest conflict our nation has ever known…Each of these informed and informative titles is a welcome and highly recommended addition to personal, community, and academic library Lincoln Studies and 19th Century American History collections.” –James A. Cox

–James A. Cox “The Midwest Book Review” (12/1/2011 12:00:00 AM)

“Because it is short, cogent, accessible, and important, this book probably deserves a place in every college-level Civil War course.” –Stewart Winger, Journal of Southern History

“A far more readable and effective summary of Lincoln as wartime president than the scholar’s prizewinning but dense study. Those who bought Burlingame’s two-volume biography but haven’t quite been able to find a summer vacation (or two) long enough to read it should consult this volume. More important, those who teach the Civil War but struggle to find short monographs that convey the complexity of the challenges that President Lincoln faced should assign it.“–Matthew Pinsker, Journal of Civil War History

“Knowing Abraham Lincoln is impossible and studying him is like trying to sip from the ‘Fountain of Liberty’ or make tea from the Constitution–he is not for the faint of heart. But reading SIU Press’s Concise Lincoln Library offers something for every thirst. Deep drinkers and first-time students of the Civil War and Lincoln studies will come back for more, and this series will more than fill the glass.” –William Furry, executive director, Illinois State Historical Society

“Lincoln and the Civil War by Michael Burlingame examines the role of Abraham Lincoln and his administration during the years of the bloodiest conflict our nation has ever known . . . . a welcome and highly recommended addition to personal, community, and academic library Lincoln Studies and 19th Century American History collections.”—James A. Cox, Midwest Book Review

“An interesting premise that the Union waged war from an “underdog” position. Burlingame writes from that perspective and shows how Lincoln’s ‘steady hand’ turned the tide to victory. I found this very interesting’food for thought’ and further study. I think you will as well, and this book would be a worthy addition to your library.” —Joseph A. Truglio, Civil War News “The author of the most deeply-researched and detailed biography of Abraham Lincoln ever written here provides a remarkably concise and authoritative overview of the Civil War. Drawing on his massive research, Burlingame selects anecdotes and details that effectively illustrate Lincoln’s critical role.”–Douglas L. Wilson, Lincoln Studies Center, Knox College

“With a brisk pace and bracing tone, Michael Burlingame assays the titanic clash of the Civil War and the man whose personality and resolve guided the Union to victory. Those who already know Abraham Lincoln will find him alive on these pages. Those whose acquaintance with him is marginal will gain a full sense of the man and his destiny.”–David S. Heidler, coauthor of Henry Clay: The Essential American

“The idea that Abraham Lincoln was an essential element in Union victory is hardly a new one, but never before has the case been made so forcefully, or at such length, as it is in Michael Burlingame’s Lincoln and the Civil War. Critics may quibble that the North could have won without him, but as Burlingame demonstrates conclusively, it could not have won in the way that it did without his stewardship. Lincoln’s leadership was just as decisive off the battlefield as it was on, and his role in keeping the courage and determination of the Northern people up to the task is especially well detailed. We have many books on Lincoln that really never needed to be written. This is one that did.”–William C. Davis, Director of the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies at Virginia Tech

“Masterful! Michael Burlingame offers a portrait of Lincoln in the Civil War that is at once wide angle and zoom lens in scope. He portrays the complex issues Lincoln faced and allows us to go behind the scenes to grasp the manifold dimensions of his leadership. Burlingame’s reputation for meticulous scholarship is presented here in an accessible study just in time for the sesquicentennial remembrances of the Civil War.”–Ronald C. White Jr., author of A. Lincoln: A Biography

“Burlingame shows remarkable skill in discussing complex subjects quickly and in effectively transitioning to the next subject. The advantage of this approach is that the end result is a stripped-down Lincoln and the Civil War. Burlingame’s volume thus retains only the core part of the argument, with everything that could be considered superfluous removed. This makes Lincoln and the Civil War a perfect book for not only classroom use, but also for those who are looking for a brief introduction to the issues of the war and Lincoln’s leadership. The work is ideal as a one-volume study of Lincoln that covers the basics.”–Dr. Lewie Reece, Anderson University

120Normal0falsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEAbraham Lincoln was a pivotal figure in 19th Century American history. Adding to the growing library of Lincoln Studies are four volumes newly published by the Southern Illinois University Press…120Normal0falsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONE”Lincoln and the Civil War” (9780809330539, $19.95, 160 pages) by Michael Burlingame examines the role of Abraham Lincoln and his administration during the years of the bloodiest conflict our nation has ever known…120Normal0falsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEEach of these informed and informative titles is a welcome and highly recommended addition to personal, community, and academic library Lincoln Studies and 19th Century American History collections.” –James A. Cox

–James A. Cox “The Midwest Book Review” (12/1/2011 12:00:00 AM)

Michael Burlingame is the author of Abraham Lincoln: A Life, The Inner World of Abraham Lincoln, and Lincoln and the Civil War and the editor of many collections of Lincoln primary source materials. He is the Chancellor Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair in Lincoln Studies at the University of Illinois Springfield.