Lincoln on Lincoln

the long version

"Lincoln's writing about himself offers a window into the soul and mind of America's greatest president. His words reveal an emotional evolution typically submerged in political biographies. They explain, to a degree not previously understood, the great mystery of his life: the process through which he matured from laborer to store clerk to country lawyer to president. Lincoln on Lincoln shows a man struggling to reconcile personal ambition and civic virtue, conscience and Constitution, and ultimately the will of God and the will of the people."--BOOK JACKET. "Zall frames Lincoln's words with his own illuminating commentary, providing a continuous, compelling narrative. Beginning with Lincoln's thoughts on his parents, the story moves through his youth and early successes and failures in law and politics, and culminates in his clashes and conflicts - internal as well as external - as president of a divided country."--BOOK JACKET.