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Summary: Lincoln's Friendships
Review: Abraham Lincoln has always been and remains one of the most compelling figures in American history. His rise to greatness seems so unlikely, his personality so different from what one expects from an American president and yet his importance to history is so vast that historians have sought to understand him ever since his murder in 1865. David Herbert Donald is one of the finest living Lincoln scholars and he has written numerous books on his subject. In this one, he focuses on an area previously neglected, Lincoln's friendships. In chronological order, Donald looks at the important relationships in Lincoln's life, outside of his family. Lincoln's first important friend was Joshua Speed, whom he befriended on his arrival in Springfield. Lincoln and Speed shared a single room (indeed a single bed) for years as young bachelors and without question Speed was Lincoln's most intimate friend, one of the only people to whom young Lincoln could truly open up. After both men married and Speed moved to Kentucky, the friends grew apart and Speed had little to do with Lincoln in the 1850's when the men came to opposing political views regarding slavery.
Donald makes it clear that while Lincoln had other friends, none truly knew or understood him. Indeed, his law partner of 17 years, Billy Herndon spent the years after Lincoln's death trying to put together a biography by interviewing everyone who knew Lincoln. Lincoln's final important friendships were with Alexander Seward, his Secretary of State, who grew to admire Lincoln deeply and his young personal secretaries John Nicolay and John Hay, who not only toiled tirelessly for him but gave him solace and helped assuage his loneliness in the White House.
In his exploration of Lincoln's friendships, Donald has no specific point to make. He just writes interesting history. But, nevertheless, what emerges is a portrait of a man with a zest for life who loved a good story and told endless jokes but who was also morose, melancholy and mysterious, even to those who knew him best. Lincoln's friends may have cared deeply for him. It will always be unclear just how much Lincoln really cared for them. This is a fine little book and anyone interested in the life of Lincoln should read it.
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Summary: Honest treatment of some inaccessible material
Review: Ain intellectually and historically honest treeatment of a subject about which little information exists--the personal / emotional side of Lincoln's connections with several of his close contemporaries. With lucid, straightforward writing it manages to convey the particular qualities and character that uniquely attended each connection. It doesn't add more to the subject than the historical record suggests, but it does pull together what iis known of each relationship and present the material with thematic consistency and honesty. Seeks to inform rather than to advocate an author's pet bias or theory--e.g., avoids the self-indulgent nonsense of some Lincoln writers that interprets historical norms through the distortion of a modern social lens, for example interpreting his friendships as latently homosexual ... a theory which may gratify the emotional need of the author but for which no true historical evidence exists. Hurrah for disciplined, honest history!!
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Summary: Lincoln and his friends
Review: Dacid Herbert Donald, who wrote a Pulitzer Prize winning biography of Abraham Lincon, returns to perhaps the most enigmatic American president in history. Donald identifies the handful of men who could be considered truly a friend of Lincoln and gives us a view of Lincoln from their vantage. He deals briefly with the possibility that Lincoln was gay and charges that Lincoln invited the attack on Fort Sumter. Of more interest is the description of Lincoln with friends. Donald speculates on why many people admired Lincoln but did not consider themselves intimate friends. This short book is easy to read and it presents more information on Lincoln the man.
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Summary: Lincoln and his friends
Review: Dacid Herbert Donald, who wrote a Pulitzer Prize winning biography of Abraham Lincon, returns to perhaps the most enigmatic American president in history. Donald identifies the handful of men who could be considered truly a friend of Lincoln and gives us a view of Lincoln from their vantage. He deals briefly with the possibility that Lincoln was gay and charges that Lincoln invited the attack on Fort Sumter. Of more interest is the description of Lincoln with friends. Donald speculates on why many people admired Lincoln but did not consider themselves intimate friends. This short book is easy to read and it presents more information on Lincoln the man.
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Summary: Lincoln the Lonely.
Review: David Herbert Donald is considered by most to be one of, if not the premier Lincoln historian in the Country. This book fits another piece of the puzzle together. Lincoln's friends are the subjects of this book, and of close friends, Lincoln had only a few. Donald has picked the six men with whom Lincoln seemed to have the closest relationship at one time or another and has examined how each friendship began, it's life, and if it ended before Lincoln's death, it's end. None really ended, but some did seem to dissipate. Donald, like most writers who complete a large biography of an individual has become somewhat enamored by his subject and takes pains in this work to defend Lincoln from some rather silly but sensational charges. Sometimes though, Donald gets a little carried away with his obvious admiration for his subject. For example, he often discredits statements attributed to Lincoln saying that in phrase and in wording it does not sound like Lincoln. Unfortunately however, Donald then argues that Lincoln probably wrote a famous and well-received letter that John Hay later claimed to have written. Donald admits the letter doesn't sound like Lincoln and does sound like Hay's work but continues to attribute it to Lincoln. It sounds a little like the old saying about having your cake and eating it too. On the other hand, whether Donald intended it to happen or not, a fairly unattractive vision of Lincoln shows through on occasion. Quite frankly, Lincoln comes across as what I have always called a user. Someone who uses people to get what they want and then casts them aside. Lincoln was not like this with all of his friends but he seems to have been guilty fairly often. Maybe that explains why he was so afraid to share his intimate feelings and hopes. Donald has a great flair for writing and this is a very easy to read and highly interesting book. Where he has had to deal in psychology, Donald has wisely consulted experts and his conclusions seem well thought out and are very well presented. It is clear that Mr. Lincoln led a very lonely life. What is not at all clear is whether he did not choose that life for himself. David Donald has reached his conclusions and I have reached mine. Take the time to read the evidence presented here and reach you own conclusion. It will be well worth your time and effort.
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Summary: Supplementary to Donald¿s Biography of Lincoln
Review: Donald, in his great biography, "Lincoln," emphasized Lincoln's character and interpersonal dealings. This book is a more intense and critical look at some of Lincoln's closest friendships. But for this reviewer, it would be difficult to believe that this book would have much meaning for those who were not well familiar with Lincoln's history. Lincoln grew up in extremely difficult circumstances. He lived an isolated, poor life in rural Kentucky and Indiana, and, furthermore, had to endure the death of his mother at an early age. Lincoln apparently had no friendships as a child or adolescent. Yet Lincoln seemed to have the ability to draw others to him. He developed a great capacity for story telling. In his twenties he was elected captain of a local militia in New Salem, Illinois, which was formed to fight a small Indian uprising. The explanation for this seeming contradiction rests on Lincoln's physical prowess and sharp mind, neither of which he pushed on others. The author uses the Aristotelian categorization of friendship: "enjoyable, useful, an/or perfect or complete" to look at Lincoln's relationships. Clearly most of his friends fell into the category of useful, though not exploited. The book looks closely at Lincoln's friendships with Joshua Speed, an operator of a general store, William Herndon, a law partner in Springfield, Orville Browning, a fellow Whig in Illinois, William Seward, Lincoln's Secretary of State, and John Hay and John Nicolay, his personal secretaries during his presidency. Lincoln formed his closest friendship with Speed, as they were both young men trying to find their way, but with Speed's marriage they drifted apart. The political controversies of the day often upset friendships. Both Herndon and Browning became less close to Lincoln over the issues of slavery and Lincoln' s presidential policies. In addition, political patronage intruded in some friendships. The tremendous strength of Lincoln's personality is perhaps best seen in the subtle manner in which Lincoln transformed a political rival, William Seward, into an unabashed admirer and devoted follower. Nicolay and, especially, Hay provided Lincoln with an outlet during his trying Washington days regarding not only the War but also the difficulties of his family. The author devotes some of the book to examining the correctness of supposedly first-hand accounts of Lincoln's actions and words - many of them authored by the six previously noted individuals. Those details of weighing the historical record do show the difficulty of capturing a complex personality. In addition, the author does examine the closeness of the living arrangements that Lincoln had with some male friends, especially Speed, and concludes that one must put that matter in the context of the times. Having previously read "Lincoln," this book was interesting in its additional detail concerning some of Lincoln's relationships. But really there is no doubting which book is of more significance. The complete biography is nearly a masterpiece; this book is supplementary.
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Summary: We All Belong to Lincoln
Review: One of the most written about person in our nation's history, it seems impossible to shed any new light on Abraham Lincoln. Yet, in his new book, "We Are Lincoln Men", David Herbert Donald manages to shed new little glimmers of light on this magnificent figure by viewing him through the eyes of some of the men that knew him best. Whereas Lincoln was a very social man who enjoyed the company of others, Donald's book makes the point that the close, personal friendships that most of us desire were hard to come by for Lincoln. He attributes this to Lincoln not having childhood chums, or boys in which he established early bonds with. However, Lincoln emerges from his youth and establishes some very close relationships with several men throughout his life. Impeccably researched, we learn about Joshua Speed, William Herndon, and others that come into close contact with Lincoln. By researching their papers, a more authentic, real Lincoln begins to come into focus. As a Lincoln book collector, I found this book to be very easy, and an enjoyable read. After finishing it, I not only understand Lincoln better, but the few men in his life who could actually claim to be a close friend of his. It will sit proudly on my shelf!
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Summary: Lincoln Through Others Eyes
Review: One of the most written about person in our nation's history, it seems impossible to shed any new light on Abraham Lincoln. Yet, in his new book, 'We Are Lincoln Men', David Herbert Donald manages to shed new little glimmers of light on this magnificent figure by viewing him through the eyes of some of the men that knew him best. Whereas Lincoln was a very social man who enjoyed the company of others, Donald's book makes the point that the close, personal friendships that most of us desire were hard to come by for Lincoln. He attributes this to Lincoln not having childhood chums, or boys in which he established early bonds with. However, Lincoln emerges from his youth and establishes some very close relationships with several men throughout his life. Impeccably researched, we learn about Joshua Speed, William Herndon, and others that come into close contact with Lincoln. By researching their papers, a more authentic, real Lincoln begins to come into focus. Donald also doesn't shy away from recent controversies regarding Lincoln and his sexuality. In two cases in the book, he confronts the theory that Lincoln was possibly a homosexual, due to a very close relationship with Joshua Speed. Donald's handling of this information is honest and sincere as he attempts to puzzle out the truth. The same can be said about his discussion of an early love of Lincoln, Ann Rutledge. Donald tends to stick to facts, which lend credence to his gut feelings on the issue. As a Lincoln book collector, I found this book to be very easy, and an enjoyable read. After finishing it, I not only understand Lincoln better, but the few men in his life who could actually claim to be a close friend of his. It will sit proudly on my shelf!
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Summary: Engaging and Insightful
Review: Since Abraham Lincoln continues to be one of the most fascinating historical figures to readers, with a reservoir of prize winning work (including Donald's own LINCOLN), it seems surprising that anything new can be contributed to the literature---yet David Donald offers an engaging and insightful book which informs yet entertains. Elegant and vivid in style, Donald provides us with provocative speculation of Lincoln's emotional intelligence. A wonderful book to read and share.
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Summary: Happier tales from a life marked by tragedy
Review: So much of Abraham Lincoln's life was tragic that it's refreshing to read this relatively upbeat book about the close friendships he developed throughout his life. "We Are Lincoln Men" reads like an appendix to author David Herbert Donald's monumental biography, "Lincoln," apparently consisting of tales and anecdotes left over from his research. Fortunately, this book provides enough interesting glimpses of Lincoln to justify its addition to the voluminous literature on the 16th President of the United States. "We Are Lincoln Men" chronicles Lincoln's relationships with roommate Joshua Speed, law partner William H. Herndon, Illinois Senator Orville Browning, Secretary of State William Seward, and private secretaries John Nicolay and John Hay. The friendships with Speed and Herndon were the most intimate, although both individuals drifted away from Lincoln after he became President. The inclusion of Browning seems the most controversial: as President, Lincoln passed Browning over three times for the Supreme Court, while Browning later associated with a Senate caucus hostile to Lincoln. Lincoln's friendship with Seward was forged in the crucible of his wartime Cabinet. Although they differed on many issues, Seward consistently suppressed his maverick tendencies to support his President. Perhaps the most entertaining section is the chapter on Nicolay and Hay, whose youthful exuberance provides a vivid contrast to Lincoln's other friends. Though their age difference precluded a high degree of intimacy, the secretaries' loyalty to Lincoln was unmatched (a quote by Hay provides this book's title). Nicolay and Hay also provided Lincoln with an outlet for his legendary sense of humour. Donald's unobtrusive yet distinctive prose is highly readable; this is a page-turner. The book's segmented format works well: it's a collection of tantalizing snapshots of Lincoln, rather than a detailed portrait. My main literary complaint is that the book ends rather abruptly, as if Donald simply ran out of things to say. Though not quite a breakthrough historical document, "We Are Lincoln Men" should please the Lincoln buff, or anyone interested in learning more about the man whom many consider America's greatest President.
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