
Set against the rough frontier of early Illinois, the story follows a wandering Tunker schoolmaster who brings German educational ideas to the fledgling settlements along the Ohio and Sangamon rivers. Through his modest classroom, readers glimpse the daily hardships of pioneer families, the clash of cultures, and the early encounters that shaped a young Abraham Lincoln. The narrative weaves real events with vivid imagination, painting a picture of a time when community and conscience were tested by the wilderness.
At the heart of the tale is the emerging belief that “right makes might,” a principle that guides both the teacher and the boy who will later lead a nation. Interlaced with Native American legends and frontier justice, the book offers a compassionate look at honor, sacrifice, and the moral choices that forged Lincoln’s character. Illustrated scenes bring the era to life, inviting listeners to experience the spirit of an America on the brink of change.
Full title
In The Boyhood of Lincoln A Tale of the Tunker Schoolmaster and the Times of Black Hawk
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (377K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Adrian Mastronardi, Josephine Paolucci and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2008-06-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1839–1905
A 19th-century writer and editor with a gift for turning history, travel, and faith into lively reading for young people. Best known for his long connection with The Youth's Companion, he wrote widely and traveled often, bringing a broad view of the world to his books and poems.
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