Lincoln: How Abraham Lincoln Ended Slavery in America: A Companion Book for Young Readers to the Steven Spielberg Film – A Riveting Political

Lincoln: How Abraham Lincoln Ended Slavery in America: A Companion Book for Young Readers to the Steven Spielberg Film – A Riveting Political

A new book—and companion to the Steven Spielberg film—tracing how Abraham Lincoln came to view slavery . . . and came to end it. Steven Spielberg focused his movie Lincoln on the sixteenth president's tumultuous final months in office, when he pursued a course of action to end the Civil War, reunite the country, and abolish slavery. Invited by the filmmakers to write a special Lincoln book as a companion to the film, Harold Holzer, the distinguished historian and a consultant on the movie, now gives us a fast-paced, exciting new book on Lincoln's life and times, his evolving beliefs about slavery, and how he maneuvered to end it. The story starts on January 31, 1865—less than three months before Lincoln's assassination—as the president anxiously awaits word on whether Congress will finally vote to pass the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution. Although the Emancipation Proclamation two years earlier had authorized the army to liberate slaves in Confederate territory, only a Constitutional amendment passed by Congress and ratified by three-fourths of the states would end slavery legally everywhere in the country. Drawing from letters, speeches, memoirs, and documents by Lincoln and others, Holzer goes on to cover Lincoln's boyhood, his moves from Kentucky to Indiana to Illinois, his work as a lawyer and congressman, his unsuccessful candidacies for the U.S. Senate and his victory in two presidential elections, his arduous duties in the Civil War as commander in chief, his actions as president, and his relationships with his family, political rivals, and associates. Holzer provides a fresh view of America in those turbulent times, as well as fascinating insights into the challenges Lincoln faced as he weighed his personal beliefs against his presidential duties in relation to the slavery issue. The passage of the Thirteenth Amendment would become the crowning achievement of Abraham Lincoln's life and the undisputed testament to his political genius. By viewing his life through this prism, Holzer makes an important passage in American history come alive for readers of all ages. The book also includes thirty historical photographs, a chronology, a historical cast of characters, texts of selected Lincoln writings, a bibliography, and notes. Lincoln-historian Holzer, one of several scholars who supplied input for the Spielberg film Lincoln, provides the official companion book for young readers. The focus, as in the film, is on the passing of the 13th Amendment to end slavery. However, Holzer’s straightforward account expands the narrative with information on Lincoln’s childhood, his evolving views on the Civil War and slavery, his governance of balancing popular opinion with what he believed to be right, his winning of a second term in office, and how that outcome was unclear right up until the counting of the votes. Although much of this will be known to readers, some of the finer points, as well as some fairly complex concepts, will be new territory. Approximately 30 historical images and photos are promised but were not available for review. A helpful cast of characters and chronology are included in the strong back matter. Grades 7-10. --Enos, Randall The book is a delight, written for young people who may be discovering Lincoln and the Civil War for the first time. . . This may be the book that brings along a whole new generation of Lincoln fans. - Washington Post An engrossing, well-rounded portrait of Lincoln as a humble, humorous, and passionate politician and humanitarian. - Publishers Weekly Holzer highlights the emotional turmoil and the rocky political landscape Lincoln astutely navigated to ensure the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment. - School Library Journal LINCOLN invites young readers to explore Lincoln’s life and times. The book engagingly captures the trials and tribulations of the 16th president, making Lincoln come alive for a new generation. It serves as a worthy companion to a popular film. - J. Michael Martinez, Blue & Gray Magazine One of the leading authorities on Abraham Lincoln has written a companion book for Steven Spielberg’s newly released film on the 16th president. The book by New York historian and author Harold Holzer, titled “Lincoln: How Abraham Lincoln Ended Slavery in America,” is geared toward young readers. - Lisa Ko, author of The Leavers Designed as a companion book to Steven Spielberg’s latest release, “Lincoln” by Harold Holzer, uses letters, speeches and documents to put together a portrait of the 16th president. A combination of more than 30 photographs, excerpts from Lincoln’s own writing, a bibliography and end notes result in a well-told biography for youngsters. - Florida Times-Union Holzer makes it clear that Lincoln was indeed a hero as well as a shrewd political operator. The book brings home the fact that at that point in American history, only a man possessing both traits could have ended slavery…Holzer does an admirable job of explainin