Signature Books are a series published in the 1950s and 1960s by Grosset & Dunlap, with a target audience of 9 to 14 year olds. Each of the 51 books is a semi- fictional biography of a famous historical figure, particularly those of importance to the USA. The Story of Abraham Lincoln is typical of the series. It outlines its subject's life, with a focus on his childhood and adolescence. Thus, we are presented with familiar tales of his early, hardscrabble childhood, his mother's death, and his adolescence as he grows into "honest Abe" "the railsplitter". Lincoln's political career and presidency is given more brief attention. Some of the anecdotes are surely apocryphal, and no complexities are dealt with. Thus, we never hear about Lincoln's difficult relationship with his father, nor of his business failures and financial indebtedness. The author's treatment of her biographical subject reflects the book's goals of inculcating nationalism in US youngsters of the 1950s, no doubt, to inspire the boys to want to grow up to be president. It is what it is, as the saying goes. ( )