Lincoln

Lincoln cover
Good Books rating 4.5
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Technical
  • ID: 5289
  • Added: 2025-10-23
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • ISBN: 9780394528953
  • Publisher: New York : Random House
  • Published: 1984-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Gore Vidal's 'Lincoln' offers a profoundly moving and epic portrayal of Abraham Lincoln, seen through the perspectives of his loved ones, rivals, and even his future assassins. The novel captures Lincoln's isolation in the White House amidst a divided nation and government, revealing the complexities of his leadership and the personal struggles he faced. /n/n Vidal's masterful storytelling provides an intimate look at Lincoln's character, blending public and private moments to create a vivid and human portrait. This definitive account of Lincoln's life and presidency will resonate with future generations, offering a stark and complex view of one of America's most revered leaders.

Reviews
Girls in White Dresses · 2023-03-22
insightful 4.50

The book delves deeply into Lincoln's views on slavery, offering a nuanced perspective that goes beyond the simplistic narrative often presented. The portrayal of Lincoln's character is both engaging and thought-provoking.

This review highlights how the book provides a complex and detailed examination of Lincoln's stance on slavery, moving away from the oversimplified historical narratives. The author appreciates Vidal's ability to present Lincoln in a way that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant. They particularly enjoy the depth of character development and the insightful exploration of Lincoln's motivations and beliefs. The book is seen as a valuable contribution to understanding the 16th president beyond the typical hero worship.


Quick quotes

    Lincoln's views on slavery were really interesting. This book goes far beyond the simplistic “Lincoln freed the slaves!” that we hear today.

    The book provides a nuanced perspective on Lincoln's character, making it a compelling read.

    Vidal's portrayal of Lincoln is both engaging and thought-provoking, offering a deeper understanding of the man behind the myth.

charming 4.00

Vidal's Lincoln is portrayed as a flawed but evolving character, capturing the essence of the man through a witty and charming narrative. The book is praised for its historical depth and engaging storytelling.

The reviewer appreciates Vidal's ability to present Lincoln as a complex and evolving figure, rather than a perfect hero. They find the narrative both witty and charming, making it an enjoyable read while also providing a deep historical context. The book is seen as a valuable exploration of Lincoln's life and times, offering insights that go beyond the typical historical accounts. The reviewer particularly enjoys the way Vidal balances historical accuracy with engaging storytelling, making the book both informative and entertaining.


Quick quotes

    His Lincoln was never perfect; he was never meant to be. But in his witty, folkish, and always charming way, Vidal's Lincoln managed to evolve ...

    Vidal's canvas is large. In over 600 pages the book takes in Lincoln's career as President beginning with his arrival in disguise on the eve of the First ...

    The portrait is reasoned, judicious, straightforward and utterly convincing, less dramatic, perhaps, than the inspired portrait of Aaron Burr in Mr. Vidal's ''

a bibliomane blog · 2016-08-26
highly recommended 5.00

The book is highly recommended for its superb writing and engaging narrative, making it a must-read for both Lincoln fans and those who enjoy historical novels. The debate between history and novel is particularly interesting.

The reviewer is highly enthusiastic about the book, praising Vidal's writing as superb and the narrative as engaging. They recommend it to anyone interested in historical novels, as well as those who are fans of Lincoln. The review also highlights the interesting debate between historical accuracy and fictional storytelling, which adds depth to the reading experience. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to captivate readers while also providing a thoughtful exploration of historical events and figures.


Quick quotes

    Five stars. Highly recommended. Interestingly, for those who wish to further follow the argument of “history” versus “novel”, a long debate was ...

    Vidal's writing is superb in all regards. There was only ...

    I would recommend this to anyone - including both Lincoln fans and those allergic to historical novels.