The Lincolns

Portrait of a Marriage

By: Daniel Mark Epstein

Narrated by: Adam Grupper

In 1974 the historian Fawn Brodie predicted that a "sensitive study of the Lincoln marriage will not always defy biographers". Until now, it has. The only book-length treatment of the marriage was published in 1953, when scholars lacked today's resources and were still struggling with deep-seated prejudices about Mary Todd and Abraham Lincoln.

Now Daniel Mark Epstein has produced an incisive and balanced portrait of the Lincolns, from their mysterious and troubled courtship in 1840 to his assassination in Ford's Theatre in 1865. For the first time, we can feel the full force of the tragedy that was the slow crumbling of their marriage, knowing it intimately from the first act to the last.

©2008 Daniel Mark Epstein (P)2008 BBC Audiobooks America

Critic reviews

"Intent on eroding the stereotype that Mary was mad and Abraham was saintly, Epstein utilizes some new sources to create a portrait of the Lincolns' marriage. In coolly objective tones, Adam Grupper narrates Epstein's detailed account of the couple's early years.... His informative reading fits the text well." ( AudioFile)

Focus on marriage

Liked sympathetic view of Mrs. Lincoln while admitting her faults. This is in contrast to most things I have read which are totally negative.

The Lincolns

I loved it.I thought it was very insightful and interesting. I've never been too high on biographies but I do like the Civil War era. I think, although probably a good president, they were both nuts.

Fascinating!

This was one of the most interesting books, full of historically accurate and intimate details, that I have ever "read." The lives of two individuals and their subsequent marriage, when the two people are as interesting in their own right as Mary Todd and Abraham Lincoln, is immediately engaging. Toward the end, this book brought back vivid memories of a childhood trip to Washington D.C. and our visit to Ford's theater and the boarding house bedroom in which President Lincoln lay dying. The intensely personal view of Mary and Abraham and their relationship was so well written and narrated that when I finished listening, I could not wait to learn more. I went online and researched multiple topics about the Lincolns, Abraham Lincoln's assasination, burial in Springfield, and the available accounts of those involved in the assassination conspiracy. Of course, my next listen was another Audible offering, "Manhunt", the breathtaking account of the 12 day hunt for John Wilkes Booth. I highly recommend The Lincolns:Portrait of a Marriage for readers who enjoy American history or any biographical works. It will leave the reader anxious to know anything more that he or she can find out about this complex couple.

Interesting

What did you like best about The Lincolns? What did you like least?

Enjoyed the historical detail,history shows the Lincolns to have a distant relationship with Mary having mental illness. After reading this book, I realized that she suffered from a serious depression. Her life was seriously marked by the death of their son.
Abe was loyal and cared for her. He seemed to suffer to suffer depression as well. This time period was difficult for them.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the overall historical detail and the narrator.The story showed steady and caring leadership, as well as determination to conserve out Union.

Have you listened to any of Adam Grupper’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't listened to any of Adam's other performances.Will look for them as I shop Audible.

Any additional comments?

This book edged close to being a little boring. I finished it anyway, I wanted to know the historical details to the end.

Enlightening and Fair

What comes through most in this lengthy and well-researched book, is that the author really doesn't like Mrs. Lincoln very much. Apparently, few did. I had no idea the trials and embarrassments that this kind man endured as he led his country into war.

Very, very interesting and compelling. Well worth your time.