Super Short Summary

Courting Mr. Lincoln by Louis Bayard imagines Abraham Lincoln’s life in the 1840s, focusing on his relationships with his best friend Joshua Speed and the woman who would become his wife, Mary Todd. The novel alternates between Mary and Joshua's perspectives, illustrating Lincoln's personal struggles, political aspirations, and the intense, multifaceted connections he shares with both characters. The book portrays the social expectations and personal sacrifices surrounding Lincoln's early life, all set against a richly detailed historical backdrop. Sensitivity Topics: Instances of illness and discussions of financial hardship.