Abraham Lincoln A History Author:John G. Nicolay and John Hay Abraham Lincoln: A History, first published in 1890 in ten volumes, remains one of the greatest books on the Lincoln administration... — In his Introduction Mr. Angle describes the authors, who were private secretaries to Lincoln during much of his presidency, John G. Nicolay and John Hay; chronicles the writing of the history; and assesses its l... more »iterary and historical value.« less