"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