Lincoln by Russell Freedman

Lincoln by Russell Freedman

1988 Newbery Medal Winner



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 writings and a detailed list of Lincoln historical sites.

This title has been selected as a Common Core Text Exemplar (Grades 2-3, Read Aloud Informational Text).

Russell Freedman (1929-2018) revolutionized nonfiction for children with his incisive narration, thorough research, thoughtful photography, and in-depth knowledge of his subject. He was well-known for his engrossing biographies and superb descriptions of American history. His many awards include the Newbery Medal, three Newbery Honor Medals, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, the May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture Award, and a National Humanities Medal, to name a few. Freedom Walkers, Lincoln: A Photobiography, Because They Marched, The Wright Brothers: How They Created The Aircraft, and Vietnam: A History of the War are among his major publications.