ABSTRACT
T his volume does not pretend to be the complete story of Abraham Lincoln from his nomination in May 1860 until his assassination in April 1865, although it is concerned with this period of his life. Nor is it a full narrative of the Civil War. What I have attempted to do, I hope with success, has been to present a composite portrait of Lincoln—in a mosaic of moods and attitudes—as he was conceived through his conversations as politician, President, statesman, humorist, military strategist, peace negotiator, husband, father and friend.
