Abraham Lincoln is everywhere: on the five-dollar bill in your pocket, in commercials for car dealerships, on street signs, in libraries, in unlikely Hollywood movies (think of Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure). A statue of Lincoln is never too hard to come across in most major American cities. The image of the tall, stark man with the big stove top hat comes easily, even if you know little else about him. You may know that he issued the Gettysburg Address or the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War, even if you aren’t 100 percent clear on the particulars of those documents.

If you’re listening to Abraham Lincoln: From a Humble Beginning to the 16th US Presidency, it’s because you want to know more about the man than the caricature portrayed alongside Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter. Perhaps you want to save yourself any embarrassment the next time he comes up in conversation with friends, family, or colleagues. With this book you’re on your way to gaining a practical understanding of Abraham Lincoln, his family and background, early life, and the country he inherited as president.

Abraham Lincoln: From a Humble Beginning to the 16th US Presidency is designed to give you a quick, solid understanding of everything you need to know about the story behind the 16th president of the United States of America. Use it to fill in the gaps in what you know about Abraham Lincoln or use it as a springboard for learning more about something that interests you. The wonder of history is that you can go as deep as you like; there is always more to discover.