Title: Lincoln before Washington
First published: 1997
Description: The provocative selections in this book address topics as disparate as William H. Herndon's informants, Lincoln's favorite poem, his mysterious broken engagement, the text of his debates with Douglas, and a previously unknown assault on Peter Cartwright.

Although Abraham Lincoln's early years have come to be regarded as the wrong end of his life, Douglas L. Wilson's original and pathbreaking work makes the case that his prepresidential years offer bright prospects for investigation. Collectively, these essays challenge the general view of Lincoln scholars that William H. Herndon, Lincoln's law partner, is an unreliable source. They also provide a fresh look at some of the affinities between Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson.
Subjects: Politics and government, Friends and associates, Legislators, Political career before 1861, Biography, Abraham Lincoln's political career before 1861, Karriere, Geschichte 1829-1861, Friendship, Lincoln, abraham, 1809-1865, Herndon, william henry, 1818-1891, Illinois, politics and government
Places: Illinois
People: Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), William Henry Herndon (1818-1891)
Time periods: To 1865
LC classification: E457.35 .W55 1997