RaveNew York Journal of BooksGerhardt is fluent in Lincoln history and political philosophy, but he stays close to his aspiration for the book—not to cover every event, but to demonstrate how an untutored, Western, small town lawyer could make himself into the most eloquent and influential president the country ever had ... The reason why Lincoln’s Mentors is a worthy addition to the Lincoln bibliotheca is the range of skills brought to the project by Professor Michael Gerhardt ... Legal academics and public witnesses do not necessarily write great books that are accessible to the informed public. Gerhardt is the clear exception. His tome on Lincoln is unique, combining well-known facts from the life of our greatest president with a command of the sources of Lincoln’s philosophy and language ... Professor Gerhardt is a splendid writer of nonfiction. His storyline is clear and resonant. The author is fluent in Lincoln history and political philosophy, but he stays close to his aspiration for the book—not to cover every event, but to demonstrate how an untutored, Western, small town lawyer could make himself into the most eloquent and influential president the country has ever had.
