Lincoln

stunningly original portrait of Lincoln's life

and presidency. Donald brilliantly

depicts Lincoln's gradual ascent from humble

beginnings in rural Kentucky to the ever- expanding

political circles in Illinois, and finally to the

presidency of a country divided by civil war.

Donald goes beyond biography, illuminating the

gradual development of Lincoln's character,

chronicling his tremendous capacity for evolution

and growth, thus illustrating what made it possible

for a man so inexperienced and so unprepared

for the presidency to become a great moral leader.

In the most troubled of times, here was a man

who led the country out of slavery and preserved

a shattered Union -- in short, one of the greatest

presidents this country has ever seen.