Through meticulous research, utilizing recently discovered Lincoln letters, legal papers, and photographs, White depicts Lincoln as a person of intellectual curiosity, comfortable with ambiguity, and capable of changing his mind
Chapter 1: A. Lincoln and the Promise of America
Chapter 2: Undistinguished Families 1809–16
Chapter 3: Persistent in Learning 1816–30
Chapter 4: Rendering Myself Worthy of Their Esteem 1831–34
Chapter 5: The Whole People of Sangamon 1834–37
Chapter 6: Without Contemplating Consequences 1837–42
Chapter 7: A Matter of Profound Wonder 1831–42
Chapter 8: The Truth Is, I Would Like to Go Very Much 1843–46
Chapter 9: My Best Impression of the Truth 1847–49
Chapter 10: As a Peacemaker the Lawyer Has a Superior Opportunity 1849–52
Chapter 11: Let No One Be Deceived 1852–56
Chapter 12: A House Divided 1856–58
Chapter 13: The Eternal Struggle Between These Two Principles 1858
Chapter 14: The Taste Is in My Mouth, a Little 1858–60
Chapter 15: Justice and Fairness to All May 1860–November 1860
Chapter 16: An Humble Instrument in the Hands of the Almighty November 1860–February 1861
Chapter 17: We Must Not Be Enemies February 1861–April 1861
Chapter 18: A People’s Contest April 1861–July 1861
Chapter 19: The Bottom Is Out of the Tub July 1861–January 1862
Chapter 20: We Are Coming, Father Abraham January 1862–July 1862
Chapter 21: We Must Think Anew July 1862–December 1862
Chapter 22: What Will the Country Say? January 1863–May 1863
Chapter 23: You Say You Will Not Fight to Free Negroes May 1863–September 1863
Chapter 24: A New Birth of Freedom September 1863–March 1864
Chapter 25: The Will of God Prevails March 1864–November 1864
Chapter 26: With Malice Toward None, with Charity for All December 1864–April 1865