Founders' Son

A Life of Abraham Lincoln

By: Richard Brookhiser

Narrated by: Norman Dietz

In Founders' Son, celebrated historian Richard Brookhiser presents a compelling new biography of Abraham Lincoln that highlights his lifelong struggle to carry on the work of the Founding Fathers. Following Lincoln from his humble origins in Kentucky to his assassination in Washington, D.C., Brookhiser shows us every side of the man: laborer, lawyer, congressman, president; storyteller, wit, lover of ribald jokes; depressive, poet, friend, visionary. And he shows that despite his many roles and his varied life, Lincoln returned time and time again to the Founders. They were rhetorical and political touchstones, the basis of his interest in politics, and the lodestars guiding him as he navigated first Illinois politics and then the national scene.

But their legacy was not sufficient. As the Civil War lengthened and the casualties mounted Lincoln wrestled with one more paternal figure - God the Father - to explain to himself, and to the nation, why ending slavery had come at such a terrible price.

©2014 Richard Brookhiser (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"The narrative always smoothly returns, though, to the Founders and Lincoln's unceasing attempt to divine their intentions and to examine the institutions they built and the opportunity they created for someone like him to thrive." ( Kirkus)

Excellent Research and Evenhanded Work

Thanks to Richard Brookhiser for excellent research. Well done with the presentation! We understand more about history, while seeing the parallels in current times.

Very good at all levels

Well written and very informative. Not too deep but enough to hold one’s interest through to the end. No fluff. Dietz as the narrator is very pleasant to listen too.