ext to Washington. The writers knew Lincoln intimately.
Their book is the result of unreserved association. There is no
attempt to portray the man as other than he really was, and on this
account their frank testimony must be accepted, and their biography
must take permanent rank as the best and most illuminating study of
Lincoln's character and personality. Their story, simply told,
relieved by characteristic anecdotes, and vivid with local color, will
be found a fascinating work.

"Truly, they who wish to know Lincoln as he really was must read the
biography of him written by his friend and law-partner, W.H.
Herndon. This book was imperatively needed to brush aside the rank
growth of myth and legend which was threatening to hide the real
lineaments of Lincoln from the eyes of posterity. On one pretext or
another, but usually upon the plea that he was the central figure of
a great historical picture, most of his self-appointed biographers
have, by suppressing a part of the truth and magnifying or
embellishing the rest, produced portraits which those of Lincoln's
contemporaries who knew him best are scarcely able to recognize.
There is, on the other hand, no doubt about the faithfulness of Mr.
Herndon's delineation. The marks of unflinching veracity are patent
in every line."--_New York Sun._

"Among the books which ought most emphatically to have been written
must be classed 'Herndon's Lincoln,'"--_Chicago Inter-Ocean._

"The author has his own notion of what a biography should be, and it
is simple enough. The story should tell all, plainly and even
bluntly. Mr. Herndon is naturally a very direct writer, and he has
been industrious in gathering material. Whether an incident happened
before or behind the scenes, is all the same to him. He gives it
without artifice or apology. He describes the life of his friend
Lincoln just as he saw it."--_Cincinnati Commercial Gazette._

"A remarkable piece of literary achievement--remarkable alike for
its fidelity to facts, its fullness of details, its constructive
skill, and its literary charm."--_New York Times._

"It will always remain the authentic life of Abraham
Lincoln,"--_Chicago Herald._

"The book is a valuable depository of anecdotes, innumerable and
characteristic. It has every claim to the proud coast of being the
'true story of a great life.'"--_Philadelphia Ledger._

"Will be accepted as the best bio