Herndon's Lincoln

[Gene C]

Well written and interesting even after being written over 100 years ago. This is a Lincoln biography classic, with most of the attention focused on Lincoln's pre-war years. Herndon had someone help him with writing the book, Jesse Weik.

Herndon, as Lincoln's law partner for 16 years had known Lincoln even when Herndon was a youngster. Herndon believed because of this, he had a special insight into Lincoln's personality and had a better understanding of his characteristics and thoughts than anyone else.

According to Wikipedia "Following Lincoln's assassination, Herndon began to collect stories of Lincoln's life from those who knew him. Herndon aspired to write a faithful portrait of his friend and law partner, based on his own observations and on hundreds of letters and interviews he had compiled for the purpose. He was determined to present Lincoln as a man, rather than a saint, and to reveal things that the prevailing Victorian era conventions said should be left out of the biography of a great national hero"

Herndon is well known as a key source for portraying Lincoln's father in a negative light, calling him roving, shiftless. Also for relating the still questionable relationship with Ann Rutledge. He also describes Mary Lincoln in a mostly negative way. Many other biography's of Lincoln have followed his lead.

Regarding Lincoln's assassination, he has a few facts wrong
- He (Booth) had cut off his mustache and cropped his hair close to his head, and he and Harold both wore the Confederate gray uniform.
- Five of the conspirators were tried, and three, Payne, Harold, and Mrs. Surratt were hanged.

I would consider this a "must have" for a serious Lincoln Library. He touched on and wrote about aspects of Lincoln's life that many biographers of Lincoln didn't know, never tried to find out, or didn't want to write about. Herndon was also very opinionated (right or wrong) about the intimate and personal thoughts of Lincoln. Good companion books are Lincoln's Herndon and Herndon's Informants.

It is not an inexpensive book, but with a bit of patience you can find a good used copy at a reasonable price (under $20). I found mine a year and a half ago in very good condition for $1.95
https://www.amazon.com/Herndons-Lincoln-...7s+herndon