Young Lincoln Paperback – January 27, 2018

I am utterly blown away by this book and consider it among the best historical fiction I’ve ever read— up there with The Killer Angels, the Master & Commander series, and (while of a very different stripe) the Flashman Series. I’m a father to two young kids and have recently begun trying to find books that I can set aside for my children’s future education and intellectual enjoyment. This is not only at the top of the list for when they hit middle school, but it now holds a prominent place in their Dad’s bookshelf as well. Anyone — of any age — who loves history and is interested in Abraham Lincoln will find this book both a gift and a treasure.For those who want to read on, here’s my full take on the book: Mr. Jacobi has quite simply written a masterpiece. He deftly captures so many facets of Abraham Lincoln’s early life — his intellectual development, his tenacious self-education, his immense curiosity and love for learning, his deep bouts of depression and how he navigates and copes with it, the harsh and unsparing reality of life and death on the frontier in the early 1800’s, his thoughts on religion and how he wrestled with the questions of existence and philosophy, and the wise and intuitive way he had with people— which, as history proved out, engendered him to so many different types of people and created deep loyalty in those who felt “touched” by him. The Heron metaphor employed in the book was quite moving and likely a powerful educational tool for those who might teach this book (not to mention Metaphor himself and Telemachus and the rest of the Greek figures from mythology whom Lincoln studies and references throughout the book). I also loved how astrology and the constellations were woven into the storyline — another great educational tool.Mr. Jacobi has brought to life the greatest American who ever lived with a richness and emotional technicolor I have never encountered before. I am counting the years, weeks and days until my own kids are old enough to read and appreciate this masterpiece, and I pray that Mr. Jacobi comes out with a sequel!

The author does what good biographers do: makes familiar subject matter fresh. Though we know in broad strokes the story of Lincoln’s humble beginnings, the brutality of a hardscrabble childhood spent under the yoke of a domineering father is vividly and fully-realized here. Without resorting to flowery language—except in the lovely and specific descriptions of the flora of the Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois of the early nineteenth century—Jacobi gives readers of all ages an accessible and charming portrait of both America’s greatest president and the country in their youths. He does so at a time when we most need to be reminded of Lincoln’s virtues: compassion, humility, a desire to continually improve himself, and an adherence to principle over personal gain. I wish this book had existed when I taught middle school, but mostly, I just feel grateful that it exists and I eagerly await its sequel.

What I enjoyed most about this book is how the author really made me feel as if I was right there in New Salem with young Abe Lincoln. I learned some new things about Lincoln, such as his relationship with his father. I've bought another copy for a friend.

This was a great read about a trans-formative time in Lincoln's life. The art work is wonderful.I can not wait for the sequels that must be coming.

Wonderful book fiction look at Lincoln's young life. Very believable

Abraham Lincoln is still popular in the twenty-first century. Rather unusual for a man who’s been dead for more than 150 years. Best-selling novelists, historians and mystery writers are among the many genres who tackle our sixteenth president, the man most consider our greatest president ever.One thing we don’t have though, is many authors writing about his childhood, at least from a novelistic approach. Most of us know that his mother died young, and he was raised by a overbearing father and stepmother. Most books that I have read either concentrate on his adulthood, especially after he became a lawyer and started pursing his political ambitions.But Jan Jacobi has given readers a rare glimpse into just how hard life was for young Abe with his new young adult novel, “Young Lincoln.” The cover is beguiling, isn’t it?Abe and his sister, Sarah grow up under the domineering personality of their father. Life in Indiana is hard. The cabin is either too hot or too cold. There isn’t always enough to eat, which could account for Abe’s lankiness.He jumps at the chance to to take a flatboat down the Mississippi to New Orleans. This changes his whole outlook on life, and he never looks back.After moving to New Salem, Illinois, Abe becomes a shopkeeper and begins to study law. He also falls in love with the beautiful Ann Rutledge.Jacobi’s story takes us from Abe’s life as a little boy until he is elected to the Senate. The beginning is rather rushed, racing from one scene to another, almost if Abe knows that his life will be short and he must fit in as much as he can.About a third through, the writing settles down and reads can esacpe into the primitive world of early-1800s America. But Jacobi keeps his audience in mind and doesn’t try to go too deep, espcecially into Abe’s bouts with melancholy (or depression as we would know it today).Perhaps the most poignant scene in the book is the very last one. I won’t give it away, but readers, I hope, will be amazed at how well Jacobi foreshadows Abe’s death. This book is geared toward middle school readers, whom I sure have learned about Abe’s demise. Hopefully, they too will be able to see the poetry in that last scene. It’s worth reading the whole book alone.“Young Lincoln” receives 5 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

I read this book, Young Lincoln, because I know and taught with the author. I loved it! I learned so much and gained knowledge about the hardships and emotional trauma young Abe experienced. It is truly remarkable he survived and thrived his difficult childhood. I recommend this book for adults, too!

Great story that is fun and easy to read. The book brings the reader on an emotional journey and gives us a new way to relate to our 16th president.