| Title | : | Lincoln, Life-Size |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0307270815 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780307270818 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 208 |
| Publication | : | First published November 3, 2009 |
This unique and beautiful book captures an overlooked but vital aspect of Lincoln: his face. While he was known as an ugly man, and he even joked about that reputation, Lincoln’s contemporaries often commented on his striking features—on how animated he became while telling stories, or how at more serious moments his face seemed to reflect his wisdom.
Taken across a span of nearly twenty years, from 1846 to 1865, these images provide us with a visual account of Lincoln’s intertwined political and personal lives as we watch him age and observe the toll taken by the Civil War in the final four years of his life. Here are a wide range of Lincolns—wise, bemused, melancholic, ruggedly handsome, downright homely—his complex character clearly evident in the changes in expression and affect these portraits capture. Each portrait is presented in both a standard size and in life-size, and is accompanied by a contemporaneous quote by or about Lincoln, enriching the story of his life as told through his continuously evolving image.
Offering an unprecedented window into Lincoln’s soul, Lincoln, Life-Size grants us a new appreciation of this extraordinary man and a glimpse of the force of character that made him great. It is a must for all Lincoln enthusiasts—and for anyone fascinated by our finest president.
Lincoln, Life-Size Reviews
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A fascinating study of Lincoln's face through photographs and the scholars who have studied and cataloged these photos.
Each entry is a 2-page spread. On the left side of the book is a date for when the photo was taken along with the photo. Next to the photo is a set of circumstances in almost anecdotal form that tells what was happening in Lincoln's life at the time or around the time the photo was taken.
Below the photo is a catalog #. A detailed description of this numbering system can be found beginning pg. 182, but the basic premise is:
AL -- Abraham Lincoln
c1860.5B -- 1860 is the year the photo was taken; the 5 represents the 5th sitting during the year and B is the 2nd photo taken during that sitting.
Below this is the name of the photographer.
On the right side of the page is a blown up image of just Lincoln's face from the image on the left side of the page.
Lincoln, while not a handsome man, was nevertheless a young looking man prior to his presidency. He aged significantly during his presidency and especially during 1863.
Many people might ask why anyone would want to read a book such as this. From the pictures and descriptions written, we get a brief snapshot of Lincoln, the man, during these times. -
Absolutely fascinating. It made me feel like I went back into time and was right next to Lincoln. What an amazing treasure.
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I watched the dvd documentary by the Kundhart family and was fascinated! Found this book and could not put it book down. I never realized so many photographs were taken of him. The photographs span nearly twenty years, from 1846 to 1865, and provide us with a visual account of both Lincoln's political and personal lives. His complex character clearly evident in the changes in the portraits. Each one is presented in both a standard size and in life-size, along with a quote by or about Lincoln. Some of the pictures are blurry ...but remember these pictures weren't taken with a digital camera. If you are a history buff, I highly recommend!
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This is an absolutely wonderful collection of Lincoln portraits. Each portrait is accompanied by a description of where and when the picture was taken and an anecdote about what Lincoln was doing at or near the time the picture was taken. Lincoln's face is so interesting. He seems almost like two people, depending on which side of his face is pictured. I was happy to learn that the photo, on which the penny profile is based, was taken 100 years to the day before I was born.
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An amazing glimpse at the man. The stories and snippets show a picture that was hard to capture on film during that era. I would have loved to see captured "But when he warmed up all sadness vanished, his face radiant an glowing." Many writers observed the same, but we see the somberness only. He fought a battle few could have endured.
