Unfortunately, he appears not to have used such criticism as an opportunity to reevaluate the framework that limits his thinking in that section. In the introduction, Herbert mentions that his section on abolitionists has drawn a great deal of criticism. Thanks go to Net Galley and Open Road Integrated Media for letting me read it Donald won the Pulitzer for his Lincoln biography, and I was sure this series of essays written for the purpose of dismantling myths surrounding the most revered president ever to occupy the White House would be hidden treasure rediscovered. I received this DRC free in exchange for an honest review.

He specialized in the Civil War and Reconstruction periods, and in the history of the South. He wrote over thirty books, including well received biographies of Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Wolfe and Charles Sumner. Donald was the Charles Warren Professor of American History (emeritus from 1991) at Harvard University. Donald also served on the editorial board for the Papers of Abraham Lincoln.ĭavid H. He received the Pulitzer Prize twice (19), several honorary degrees, and served as president of the Southern Historical Association. Cooper, Jr., Michael Holt, Irwin Unger, and Ari Hoogenboom. At Johns Hopkins, Columbia, and Harvard he trained dozens of graduate students including Jean H. He also taught at Smith College, the University of North Wales, Princeton University, University College London and served as Harmsworth Professor of American History at Oxford University. After graduating, he taught at Columbia University, Johns Hopkins and, from 1973, Harvard University. The dissertation eventually became his first book, Lincoln's Herndon, published in 1948. Randall as a mentor had a big influence on Donald's life and career, and encouraged his protégé to write his dissertation on Lincoln's law partner, William Herndon.

He earned his PhD in 1946 under the eminent, leading Lincoln scholar, James G. Majoring in history and sociology, Donald earned his bachelor degree from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi.

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