Description: Editor Michael Burlingame sifted through the the ten-volume biography Abraham Lincoln: A History and selected only the personal observations of the secretaries during the Lincoln presidency. The result is an important collection of Nicolay and Hay's interpretations of Lincoln's character, actions, and reputation.
Review Quotes: "The introduction is excellent, the annotations enlightening, and the text selections judicious and valuable."--Allen C. Guelzo, author of Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation: The End of Slavery in America and Abraham Lincoln: Redeemer President
"[This book] should be marked as a valuable addition to Lincoln studies. . . . Burlingame's masterly editing has transformed the original 'history' written by Nicolay and Hay to the more appropriate status of a primary document."--Richard Hall, H-CivWar
"A distinguished editor and biographer . . . Burlingame displays his usual sensitivity to male relationships . . . there are gems to be found even in this brief distillation."--Michael Chesson, Civil War Book Review
"This is emphatically a work of homage as well as of scholarship, both monumental in its function and its size. . . . [this book] turns up little gems of information about Lincoln not available elsewhere."--Adam I.P. Smith, Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association
"[This book] leaves its final result as what we most need--a nearness to the actual truth of the life and life-lore of possibly America's and the world's greatest man."--Ray B. Browne, The Journal of American Culture
"To those who view every primary source on Lincoln as something precious, Burlingame has once again provided a valuable service."--Michael Burkhimer, The Lincoln Herald
"Burlingame's work provides Lincoln students with a first-hand look at the early years of the Lincoln administration. Readers who decide to tackle this small work will be well rewarded."--Bruce Tap, Journal of Illinois History