Abraham Lincoln An Extraordinary Life

by Rubenstein, Harry

• ISBN13: 9781588342638
• ISBN10: 1588342638
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-02-01
• Publisher: Smithsonian Books

Summary

Like no other American, Abraham Lincoln's life is entwined with the history and culture of the nation. His rise from poverty to presidency has inspired others to believe in the promise of opportunity; his success in preserving the nation is one of our greatest triumphs; his death is our American tragedy. To commemmorate the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth, the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is publishing, for the first time, its unparalleled Lincoln collection. It contains many historical treasures, including: Lincoln's top hat, his gold pocket watch from his days as a Springfield lawyer, the inkstand he used to draft the Emancipation Proclamation, his patent model for lifting boats, one of Mary Lincoln's White House gowns and jewelry, and prison hoods and shackles worn by the Lincoln conspirators. Showcasing more than 125 objects and photographs,Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Lifetells a new and intimate story of the life and legacy of this remarkable American icon.

Author Biography

Harry Rubenstein is the curator of the Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life exhibition at the National Museum of American History.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
The Lincoln Collection	p. x
Introduction	p. 1
Early Life	p. 2
Childhood	p. 3
The Railsplitter	p. 6
Lawyer	p. 10
A Would-be Inventor	p. 14
Presidential Campaign	p. 16
The Presidential Election of 1860	p. 17
Old Abe is Ours	p. 20
The Lincoln Administration	p. 28
President Lincoln	p. 29
Abraham and Mary	p. 35
The Lincoln White House	p. 42
Civil War	p. 46
Commander-in-Chief	p. 47
"To Finish the Work We Are In"	p. 50
The Emancipation Proclamation	p. 51
"Forever Free"	p. 52
"Come and Join Us Brothers"	p. 56
Lincoln's Generals	p. 57
Lincoln and Technology	p. 61
Presidential Election of 1864	p. 62
Victory at Last	p. 66
Assassination and Mourning	p. 68
April 14, 1865	p. 69
Booth and Lincoln	p. 71
The Conspiracy	p. 74
A Funeral Procession 1,700 Miles Long	p. 80
Further Reading	p. 89
Acknowledgments	p. 91
Illustrations	p. 92
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