Book Review: Abraham Lincoln, by Lord Charnwood

Abraham Lincoln by Lord Charnwood

To get a clearer perspective on the Civil War, it helps to read books from multiple viewpoints. Lord Charnwood wrote only fifty years after the war (1916), bringing an almost contemporaneous perspective to his depictions. His biography has the advantage of proximity, but with enough time elapsed to dampen the passions of the moment. More importantly, as an English depiction, it is simultaneously a distant point of view. It is a distance of more than nautical miles. Lord Charnwood also brings his English noble bias to his descriptions.

This book is essential for understanding the diplomatic imperative for both sides. The Confederacy desperately sought European recognition of its legitimacy, while Lincoln did everything in his power to deny international recognition and suppress arms and funding from abroad. Lincoln’s success was arguably pivotal to the eventual victory.

Abraham Lincoln can be a tough read. A simple, declarative sentence is beyond the Lord. This is partly due to the style of the times and partly to the way of academics who feel a need to qualify every utterance. Once the reader adjusts to the wordily writing, nuggets of rare perspective make the effort well worthwhile. For example, Thomas Jefferson is not one of my favorite Founders, and Lord Charnwood seems to have shared some of my reservations. He also makes other political observations that an American might be reluctant to express.

If you are interested in the Civil War or the mid-nineteenth century generally, Abraham Lincoln by Lord Charnwood can be an enlightening read.

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