The Life of Abraham Lincoln as President by Bob O'Connor

The Life of Abraham Lincoln as President Reviews

• 
  Dick

  I very rarely give a five start rating to a book, but in this case due to the depth of information and the extensive footnotes it is easy to rate it 5 stars.
  
  This book was given to me by my brother and sister in law and came as a surprise. For I was aware of other books by Lamon on Lincoln, but not aware of this one as he wrote about Lincoln’s presidency. Moreover they purchased an autographed copy. That means that this book goes into a special place in my library under glass and locked up.
  
  I will begin by saying that it was Lamon’s book, but was re-edited by Bob O’Connor to clean up any grammatical or spelling errors. Of more importance to me was the inclusion of footnotes. They are extensive and in some cases superfluous. Still I will say that they are reason enough for buying this book. They provide excellent context and perspective on personalities and events like few books I have read, ever. In so doing this, one can get a larger picture of the period from 1861 to 1865.
  This book goes into great detail about events, who was where and when and how they all evolved in both events and interpersonal lives.
  
  There is so much in this book as to defy a fair review. If you are a Lincoln student and do not have this book, your library is deficient, as was mine (unknowingly) until I was gifted the book. I shall use this book as a reference going forward.
  
  Few remember that Lamon was originally from the State of Virginia, but moved to Illinois when in his teens. Hew as an attorney. His size alone intimidated others, he was 6’4” and over 250 pounds and well armed. His name was pronounced as if it were spelled “lemon”. Many do not know or forgot that Lamon was the man behind packing the Wigwam in Chicago with Lincoln supporters by printing “extra tickets” for admittance and having a great influence of events leading to Lincoln’s nomination. He is the one who discovered the plot to assassinate the then President-elect in Baltimore and is the only body guard Lincoln had with him on the trip from Springfield to Washington City in February of 1861. Lamon was so dedicated to Lincoln’s safety that he was known to sleep outside Lincoln’s bedroom door in the Executive Mansion.
  
  It is well accepted that if Lamon had been at Ford’s Theatre the fateful night of April 14, 1865 Lincoln would not have been assassinated. Lamon was in Richmond at a meeting regarding post war arrangements. He did not want to go, but Lincoln insisted that he attend. Lamon pleaded with the President not to go to the theater because it was still not safe for him to be out like that. Lamon would not have abandoned his post outside the Presidential box as did the replacement (Parker) who was at a bar next door.