Lincoln in Caricature

A vivid collection of thirty‑two period cartoons brings the public image of the Civil‑War president to life. Drawn from American papers such as Harper’s Weekly and Harper’s, as well as the British satirical magazine Punch, the illustrations reveal how the nation’s hopes, fears and jokes were painted on Lincoln’s face from campaign trail to battlefield. From a playful “rail‑splitter” portrait to sharper political commentary, each plate captures a moment of contemporary feeling that newspapers once carried to millions of readers.

Arranged in chronological order and accompanied by concise notes, the series lets listeners trace the shifting tone of public opinion as the war unfolded. The images serve as both artistic curiosity and historical document, showing how humor, satire and criticism reflected the era’s tumultuous politics on both sides of the Atlantic. For anyone interested in the cultural side‑bars of history, the book offers an accessible, visual portrait of a leader who inspired relentless caricature.