Lincoln

The book 'Lincoln, a Photobiography' by Russell Freedman was not only much more amusing than I had expected it to be, but held pages and pages full of history and pictures of Abraham Lincoln's life. In actuality when I started reading I had very little interest in Lincoln. Now that I've finished reading it, I've found out detailed things about his childhood and presidency I could never have remembered from history class.

Abraham Lincoln's whole life has been examined and written down, from almost drowning in a rushing river to eloping and marrying inside a general store. The author didn't seem to miss a detail throughout the whole book! The goal of such detail was to inform readers of how much more there was of Abraham Lincoln to learn. This was well accomplished through quotes, pictures and stories told by friends and relatives. Although Abe never liked to talk about his early life describing himself as a "Poor backwards farm boy," Many neighbors and friends, whom he had performed odd jobs for over the course of his life, knew him as a intelligent, honest man with a witty sense of humor. I've heard Lincoln be characterized as these things before, but not by anyone who had known him. It's nice to know that he was thought of as a such a good man by his friends as well as the Historians who'd studied his life.My only disappointment in the writings of Freedman, was that he had very little of his own opinion woven into the biography of such an appealing president. Although there wasn't much personality portrayed in the attitude of Freedman there was plenty personal moments of Lincoln's that were illustrated through stories of his days in the court room and his views of political subjects, such as slavery and equal rights. Personally, the description of Lincoln's disapproval of such things was very compelling. " I was losing interest in politics when the repeal of the Missouri Compromise aroused me again." Lincoln voiced. He also reminded the people that their constitution states " All men are created equal, entitled to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness." That means blacks too. It is still a noble thing to speak out what you believe, and I agree with Lincoln when through his entire political role chooses to staystrong, rather than wither away as a highly respected man might do to protect his reputation with the people.Abraham Lincoln was one of our best presidents because of his strength in leadership, and the power in his beliefs.  His influence became an essential part of  this countries history.What seemed to be certain death for the union was eminent, but because of Lincoln's conviction that "A house divided can not stand" he abolished slavery yet upheld equal rights secured the one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all, disspite the states that wanted to become disunited and form their own government.

Lincoln actually opposed the thought of being president for some time saying "I must, in all candor, say that I do not think myself fit for the presidency." He admitted later ,that after time, enough thought had persuaded him to run. To me personally it seems, Lincoln's  control over this country has seemed much more modest and honest compared to today's scrambled for power.  Maybe because the country was still slightly new and slowly expanding in world affairs, that it appeared less scandalous. If President Abraham Lincoln looked at the world's transformation since he'd been in office morethan one-hundred years ago, I'm sure he find it much more corrupted than when he'd left. Although degregation and the equal rights issues have been properly handled, there are flaws I can't even understand in our government restricting the United States from having an immaculate record with itself and neighboring countries.

By the end of his life, I understand that according to get his face carved into Mt. Rushmore's surface decades later, Abraham must've been a major benefactor to this country. What I don't understand is why our country doesn't appear to be generating as much positive outcome as Abe did to get him on Mt. Rushmore in the first place. After reading the book, I was aware of how powerful the position of presidency is and how hard it must be to make the right decisions. Yet, somehow Abe's contribute to the United States always seemed to alter its future for the better. there is definite chance that if he had not been assassinated that we'd be a different nation in every way possible. Reading about someone who's changed the history of my existence is hard to fathom. It just reminds me that timing is unpredictable. Anything could've revised this environment which I've known, and learned so much about, to be completely the opposite of what it is. I can't say I'm satisfied with it as it is, but I wouldn't change it if I could purely for the reason of the chance that I would turn it for the worse!

Part of the reason I feel I'm so impressed with Lincoln is because there's been so much history written on him. He started out so small "a friendless uneducated penniless boy" as he puts it, and turned into a major anti -slavery spokesman, lawyer, congressman, and president of the most powerful country in the world. He had so many reasons to give up so many chances to forget his predestine life, and has prevailed in certain victory. Historically it has been done before and will be done again, but reading and absorbing the reality and life belonging to a man of distinguished valor is different than watching a movie or doing a worksheet.

I know that through Abraham's years of studying law and being an active member in the Illinois House of Representatives, he worked hard and continuous. America could benefit from some good example of Honest Abe. Work hard, stand up for the truth and you will succeed. I've also been reminded that not everything comes easy. Sometimes things have to be at rock bottom for revival to come. Lincoln objected to the idea of 'Popular Sovereignty" by stating one of his strongest statements ever made "In my opinion, it [slavery] will not cease until a crisis shall have been reached and passed."This work written by Freedman has truly pinpointed detail and perseverance. It is not a fairy tale of some bare footed boy who grew up in Kentucky, nor is it an chronicle of some tall famous man who just happened to be in the right place at the right time. It illustrates the process of one mans life who has struggled, endured and died and that has made all the difference.