Product Description
Inaugural address from March 4, 1861 ... Read more

Product Description
This volume, Lincoln the Citizen,is from 1907 and is one of seven books.

Chapters:
I. Lineage, Parentage and Childhood
II. Youth
III. Lincoln as a Laborer
IV. Lincoln as a Storekeeper
V. Soldier, Surveyor, and Postmaster
VI. Lincoln's Early Love Romance
VII. State Legislator
VIII. Congressman
IX. Citizen and Neighbor
X. Lawyer
XI. Lincoln's Religion
XIL Lincoln's Mental and Moral Natures
XIII. Free-Soil Advocate
XIV. Attainment of the Presidency
XV. Inauguration as President


PREFACE

No claim is made for the present edition that it is unabridged or definitive. The desire has been to make a reading and, indeed, working edition suited to the needs of the average American, to whom everything which reveals the character of the great President is of interest, and anything which does not afford such revelation, even though penned with Lincoln's hand, and signed with his name, is without real associational value.

For practical considerations the chronological sequence of the definitive editions has been sub-ordinated to logical sequence. Speeches are arranged by themselves, state papers by themselves, etc.; the items of each class being arranged in
chronological order. Letters are docketed alphabetically by the names of addressees. The edition is thus made self-indexing, a desirable characteristic of a working library.

For further explanation of the method of book-making employed, the reader is referred to the prefaces of each volume. Here, or in the immediate text concerned, will be found the various
acknowledgments to publishers, collectors, and authors for the derivation of material.

It suffices to say in this preface that Mr. Francis D. Tandy has generously given the editor general permission to make liberal use of any material in his Gettysburg Edition to which others than him-
self have no prior rights.

For permission to use the biography of Lincoln in the present volume thanks are due to William H. Lambert, President of the Lincoln Fellowship. He is the owner of the voluminous MS. on Lin-
coln left by the late Henry C. Whitney, one of Lincoln's legal associates and personal and political friends. From this the present work on ''Lincoln the Citizen" has been extracted. It is
confidently expected that the public will find in this character study a personal view of that most human of great men, which is second in general interest only to the life of Lincoln by his law
partner, William H. Herndon, and surpasses this in many particular points of keen insight and generous appreciation. Mr. Whitney's "Life" ends at Lincoln's inauguration. After that the
biography of the President merges into the history of his country, to the many works upon which the reader is referred.

Thanks are extended to The Lincoln Farm Association, and particularly to its secretary, Richard Lloyd Jones, for permission to use Miss Tarbell's article, "The Parents of Abraham Lincoln" as an introduction to "Lincoln the Citizen."

The mutual helpfulness of these Lincoln associations and publications is the best of tributes to the beneficent influence of that great man to whom "charity" in the broad sense of loving aid
and consideration extended to all men was the dearest of words and things. In the hope that we, too, may share in the honor of promoting the fraternal movement which is preparing to
inaugurate a new century of the higher patriotism represented by Abraham Lincoln, we present this Centenary Edition of his Life and Works.




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Product Description
This volume was published in 1901.



From the Editor's Preface:

Mr. Brooks' story of the life of Abraham Lincoln is a distinct
addition to our knowledge of the man and of the scenes
through which he passed in becoming an uplifter of the
human race.Mr. Brooks knew Lincoln well in Ilinois, as well
as later in Washington.He was himself a pioneer during
some of the most stirring times on the border, and, in
consequence, he has written in unusual sympathy with
the difficulties and triumphs of border life.

In the crude surroundings that then were the lot
of all, the story of Lincoln's youth and early manhood
possesses a peculiar interest. In such a tale we catch
gleams of a true nature tucked away in the lank form
and homespun, and we watch a character grow clear-
outlined through the power of a strong moral nature.
The wilderness afforded splendid tests of manly quali-
ties, and kept the weak at bay. The axe, the maul,
and the grubbing-hoe answered only to the quick eye
and the sinewy firame. Abraham Lincoln, strong-
hearted and true, swung, split, and dug in " the land
of full-grown men " ; and he emerged thence a leader
among men.

His experiences were singularly varied and dramatic ;
yet, in the main, they were typical of unnamed thou-
sands of our fellows who wrote on the broad West the
strongest characteristics of our race.
..............................................................................


From the book's Preface:

In writing this brief biography, I have been moved by
a desire to give to the present generation, who will
never know aught of Abraham Lincoln but what is
traditional, a lifelike picture of the man as many men
knew him. To do this, it has been necessary to paint
in a background of the history of the times in which he
lived, and to place the illustrious subject in his true
relation to the events in which he was so large a
participant.

It was my good fortune to know Lincoln with some
degree of intimacy, our acquaintance beginning with
the Fremont campaign of 1856, when I was a resident
of Illinois, and continuing through the Lincoln-Douglas
canvass, two years later. That relation became more
intimate and confidential when, in 1862, I met Lincoln
in Washington and saw him almost daily until his
tragical death. Many things relating to his early life,
herein set down, were derived from his own lips, often
during hours of secluded companionship.

The simplest truth is always best ; and the simpler
and more direct the biographical sketch of Abraham
Lincoln, the more deeply will his image be impressed
upon the heart of that ' ' common people ' ' whom he
loved so well and of whom he was the noblest repre-
sentative. In this book it has been the author's aim to
present a definite and authoritative likeness of the man
whose name is now enrolled highest among the types
of our National ideals.

Noah Brooks



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Product Description
Own one of the greatest speeches ever given by a US President.Given in November 1863 near the battlefield at Gettysburg, PA ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

A Book Lover
This will be a wonderful gift for our grandson who is studying the Civil War. Beautifully done.

WELL EXECUTED WORK - THIS ONE IS A KEEPER
I loved the art work in this particular work and felt it captured the essence of Lincoln's speach perfectly.I certainly am not going to do a critique on the speach itself, I really don't feel I have the right to do so.But I do feel the author/artist, through his black and white woodcut techinques added much to this famous work.It is certainly a book I am glad I added to my library.I have also found the kids at school seem to have a great appreciation for it also.Highly recommend this one.

The soul of America is in this speech
What does Lincoln do at Gettysburg? Why are his words as moving today as they were when he uttered them?
I think that what he did is that he defined for America and Americans what it is, and what it means to be to itself. He did this in the most dignified and moving language imaginable with its deep Biblical cadences and its underlying tone of grief and dedication. He invokes the 'brave men living and dead'the heroic sacrifice of the war in order to urge a new dedication of freedom a new and higher realization of that fundamental human value which is so closely connected with the whole American enterprise. He defines not simply for those there, for those on that field the living and the dead, but for all American generations a ' new birth of freedom, so that government of the people by the people for the people shall not perish from this earth "

Stark woodcuts communicate nobility and tragedy.
I read this book aloud to my children. The text is simply the Gettysburg address, broken into phrases with an illustration for each thought. Two-thirds of the way through the book, I found myself weeping. The combination of Lincoln's eloquence and the illustrations touched me. I would recommend using this book to introduce students of any age to Lincoln's famous speech and the history associated with it.

What a CROCK!!
This book perpetuates the out and out LIES surrounding the Gettysburg address.

This quote says it all...

"The Gettysburg speech was at once the shortest and the most famous oration in American history... the highest emotion reduced toa few poetical phrases. Lincoln himself never even remotelyapproached it. It isgenuinely stupendous. But let us not forgetthat it is poetry, not logic;beauty, not sense. Think of theargument in it.

Put it into the cold words ofeveryday.

The doctrine is simply this: that the Union soldiers who diedatGettysburg sacrificed their lives to the cause of self-determination-- that government of the people, by the people, for the people,should not perish from the earth.

It is difficult to imagine anything more untrue.

TheUnionsoldiers in the battle actually fought *against* self-determination; itwasthe Confederates who fought for theright of their people to governthemselves."-- ... Read more

Product Description
In a handsome, gift-quality volume celebrating the 200th anniversary of Lincoln-s birth, America-s top Lincoln historians offer their diverse perspectives on the life and legacy of America-s sixteenth president. Spanning Lincoln-s life-from his early career as a Springfield lawyer, to his presidential reign during one of America-s most troubled historical periods, to his assassination in 1865-these essays, developed from original C-SPAN interviews, provide a compelling, composite portrait of Lincoln, one that offers up new stories and fresh insights on a defining leader. Edited by C-SPAN-s Brian Lamb and Susan Swain, illustrated with Lamb-s photographs of Lincoln landmarks, and promoted throughout the year on C-SPAN, Abraham Lincoln is a wonderful compendium of information and deeply-informed analysis that deserves a prominent place on every bookshelf. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Honest Abe
No one really knew him! His vision held us together. Goodreading varied views.

A rush job that wanders all over the place
And, often, not for the better.

First, the "rush job" complaint? Some of the interviews or comments are nearly 20 years old, yet none of them were edited to read well, rather than anything beyond a simple explanatory parenthesis. They read way too much like TV-level spoken English.

More substantively, the "all over the place, often not for the better"?

Bennett Lenore is deliberately antihistorical, with axes to grind. He ignores Lincoln's clear evolution onracial issues. He claims Lincoln wanted to forcibly deport blacks rather than just pushing voluntary colonization. He claims Lincoln pushed colonization to the end of his life. He claims Seward would have been less of a compromiser, ignoring his work with Sen. Crittenden and other compromise efforts during the Buchanan-Lincoln interregnum. In short, just about nothing Lenore says is trustworthy.

Shelby Foote? Still blaming post-Civil War racism on Northern carpetbaggers rather than people like his ancestors.

Thomas DiLorenzo? No, sir, not true that nearly everybody in the Union in 1860 viewed it as voluntary. Try running that by Andy Jackson. Or Dan'l Webster. Your "Lost Cause" in the name of libertarianism colors show elsewhere; at least you admit being a libertarian.

That said, I'll still give this three stars.

First, learning that there are still active Lincoln haters out there, some of them nutty, is nice.

Second, seeing that within the Lincoln cult (and, I won't deny such a thing exists, but one can state that and still not be or become a Lincoln hater) there are cracks and fissures.

Third, I actually learned some things. For example, I read that perhaps the Confederate secret service was certainly more involved in at least Booth's original kidnap plot than is often told. And that Dr. Mudd probably was pretty knowledgeable about the plot. And perhaps Mary Surratt. And maybe even Confederate elected officials.

So, this has its good points. Just be prepared to wade through poor editing and some inanity, even some idiocy, in spots.

Abraham Lincoln
It wasn't clear to me when I ordered this C-Span produced book that the information inside was going to be a rehash of what various historians had said over the years about Lincoln.Some were just a few paragraphs long and were excerpted from interviews which may have been about Lincoln but also interviews which may have had something entirely different as the main topic. So, in one sense I was disappointed; I had expected new essays from a number of Lincoln scholars. However it was very readable and still interesting and the appendix with many of Lincoln's speeches was a nice addition to my library.

A wonderful collection
What a wonderful & interesting collection on Lincoln, serves to inform, stimulate & encourage further research just as CSPAN itself does!What more could a book do?

Lincoln Sampler (3.5 *s)
This book is a compilation of excerpts from interviews of both well-known and obscure authors and other Lincoln-connected individuals, who have appeared on C-Span over the last fifteen years, primarily on the "Booknotes" program conducted by Brain Lamb. The seventy-four inclusions range widely, covering subjects from Lincoln's childhood, young adulthood in New Salem, Ill, his romances and marital life, his early political career and activities as a lawyer, his campaign for the Senate and debates with Douglas, his views on race and religion, his dealings with his Cabinet and generals, his life in Washington, Gettysburg and his reverence for the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation, his image making especially through photography, his assassination, and more.

Some of the entries are so short and authored by such obscure individuals that they could have easily been left out. The reader will find represented noted Lincoln scholars such as David Donald, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Allen Guelzo, James McPherson, Stephen Oates, Harold Holzer, and Douglas Wilson. In two of the longer entries, Lerone Bennett, Jr., and Thomas Dilorenzo take issue with the deification of Lincoln, the notion that he ended slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation, his suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, and his pro-Hamilton economics.

The book conveniently includes a time-line of Lincoln's life and maps showing where he lived, the cities where he debated Douglas, and the railroad routes of his inaugural journey from Springfield to Washington in 1861 and the funeral train back to his home in April, 1865. Also, his more noted speeches are included.

If one would expect that a book that is so wide-ranging, in terms of subjects and authors, would seem quite choppy, he would be correct. Yet, the interview format does give authors a means of expressing understandings beyond their more systematic, formal efforts. Exacting standards of quality are a bit misplaced: the chapters are mere informal conversations. Because the book includes so many great authors, it undoubtedly will stimulate further reading: for example, Edward Steers' entry on the assassination was quite interesting.

Because the book is so uneven and makes no real effort at completeness, it cannot be seen as a must-read book. Even some of the key authors' interviews are unnecessarily broken into two chapters. Anyone desiring a comprehensive look at Lincoln would be far better served by a serious biography, such as the one by David Donald. The book is perhaps best labeled as a Lincoln sampler, which is not without its usefulness. ... Read more

Product Description
Abraham Lincoln faced many serious challenges during his life. Yet he rose above it all--and his faith in God was the indispensible ingredient in his life's journey. Even generations later we can still learn from Lincoln's faith-filled principles to overcome our own challenges and to find our unique God-given destinies.Walking with Lincoln offers readers fifty spiritual principles from the life and words of Lincoln, from his days as a youth to his presidency. Anyone looking for inspiration to rise above life's hardships will find encouragement and strength through this look at the faith of America's favorite president. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Lincoln and his God
As a civil war buff I am always interested in reading about the major players in this terrible event in history. I have read many books dealing with Lincoln but none have given much time to his beliefs and his views on Christianity. Finally there is a book that delves into his reliance on God and how belief in God played a more than passing effect on how he dealt with his job as president and commander and chief of the union army. More than in any other book I find that he was not only well versed in the Bible but he read and practiced its virtues. After reading Mr. Freiling's book I am convinced that Lincoln was a true believer and is in Heaven with his Lord and Savior, a very gratifying thought.

Walking with Abe
Thomas Freiling's latest is a must read for any and all Lincoln aficionados.He's put together 50 principles, each about 3 or 4 pages long, from Lincoln's writings, his early life, and of course the Civil War. Three of the best are BE FULL OF MERCY (#11), IGNORE YOUR CRITICS (#36), and PURSUE NOT RICHES (#42).

The book is full of interesting facts that any Lincoln fan may not be aware of, like the time he walked 6 miles to get a copy of ENGLISH GRAMMAR to improve his speaking and writing skills, or the time he spent 5 hours standing to salute 30,000 troops marching through Washington.

Freiling writes from a distinctly Christian perspective,although he readily admits that Lincoln .."never joined a church and refused to endorse any particular Christian dogma." (Pg.15)Freiling concludes though that Lincoln's faith was in fact, .."rooted deeply in the truths found in the Bible."

And it's these spiritual principles that will indeed bless anyone who reads this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Abraham Lincoln like you've never seen him! THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN, authored by V. Neil Wyrick, is a portrait of Lincoln that vividly demonstrates his spirituality.Not one to wear his faith on his coat sleeves, Lincoln's life speaks dramatically of his faith in God and in the Bible by living a Christian life in his actions and in his speeches. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Not as good as I hoped.
The Spiritual Abraham Lincoln by V. Neil Wyrick is categorized as a spiritual biography of Lincoln. Although the author does provide some new insight into the spiritual life of Lincoln, it is not without problems.

The biggest problem is that the author tells rather than shows. He puts himself in the story too much, and too often tells the reader what he thinks instead of providing facts through quotes, notes and other primary records of Lincoln.

For instance, the author made statements such as these:

On page 14, "In all his decisions when he was president, he must have been guided by Jesus who did not just look at the Via Dolorosa, but walked it."

On page 21, "Was there a complete lack of affection in their marriage? I think not, because it seems they did hold a mutual concern for each other. Their letters show that."

On page 31, "When his son Eddie died, Abe, even though not a member, probably asked more theological questions than some who were members."

On page 63, "This praying man must have spent much time upon his knees seeking divine strength and wisdom."

These sentences tell the reader nothing of fact, only assumptions on the part of the author. It would make the book more credible if the author had included primary source information to back up statements such as these. For example, in the statement about Lincoln's possible lack of affection for his wife, the author could have included a quote from a letter demonstrating Lincoln's concern rather than giving the reader only the author's assurance that it was true.

Although there were many instances where the author does back up his statements, these instances where he does not damage the overall credibility of the book.

Another problem in the book is the lack of smooth transitions between paragraphs. The book reads more like a book of anecdotes than a continuing story.

If you have never read a biography of Abraham Lincoln, you will learn some interesting facts about his life, including some information about his spiritual life. If you have already read about Lincoln, you may not benefit from reading this book.

I hope that in a future edition, the author will add more primary resources to back up his statements, rather than relying on telling his opinion.

Interesting, but....
This book is interesting but it does not present anything new on the subject of A. Lincoln's spiritual beliefs.It would be a worth-while read for a junior high or high school student interested in this subject.

The Spiritual Abraham Lincoln: A Must Have
As a homeschooling parent, I like to find biographical material that inspires my children to want to delve deeper into the historical character we are studying.The Spiritual Abraham Lincoln does just that.With enough quality material and important facts written in an interesting style, it is able to capivate both the student and adult and also provides the catalyst for going deeper into the man, Abraham Lincoln.It wets the appetite for more and, as a teacher and an avid reader of history, this type of book is a must for my bookshelf.

A shallow overview
This book's strength is that it places Lincoln's faith in the context of the monumental events that affected his life.However, it is a basic book with a minimal bibliography that retells stories that most Lincoln researchers know well.It tells the story in a conversational tone, and would make an excellent book report for a Christian high school history class, but I would not recommend it for serious research on the topic. In preparing for a presentation on Lincoln and his relationship with God, I found Lincoln on God and Country by Gordon Leidner and Michael Burlingame to be a much better reference.

THE RELIGIOUS SIDE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN
This book examines the religious and spiritual side of Abraham Lincoln in depth and I really enjoyed reading this book. This book is a must for any historian, history teacher, or history enthuiast. This book is excellent, easy to understand, and is well-written. After reading this book, I donated it to a local supermarket for Juvenille Diabetes Research, and it was gone the next day. ENJOYED IT IMMENSENLY. ... Read more

Product Description
Was Abraham Lincoln a Spiritualist?This question has been asked time and again about our 16th President.This book profiles the mysterious and mystical side of Abraham Lincoln:his spiritual side.

Lincoln’s interest in Spiritualism apparently separated him from many, but not all, as you will see in reading this book.Medium Nettie Colburn was born in 1841 and in 1891 she published this book. It charts her experiences with President Lincoln during a difficult period of great upheaval in the United States.

This book is a profound treasure, a spiritual profile of an intelligent man, a deep thinker, and a man dedicated to preserving the Union and inspiring greater humane treatment of all citizens.

Linda Pendleton has added an Introduction and notes to this fascinating and credible story of how one young woman who had the gift to communicate with the Other Side, also had the good fortune to communicate with and for President Lincoln at a time when he greatly needed inspiration.

It was during the 19th century when Spiritualism made an impact, not only in the United States, but around the world, and students of Civil War history should enjoy this look into life in the White House during Lincoln's time there.






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Customer Reviews (4)

Josesuerte
This is a terrific book to get a kid interested and excited about our greatest president. It gives a good overview of Lincoln's life and struggles with many little sections that explainwhat life was like during Lincoln's time. In addition, it has over 20 craft or examples that help kids understand and are fun to do. My 10 year oldloved it.

A Kid-Pleasing Abraham Lincoln Activity Book
"Abraham Lincoln for Kids" provides a great overview of Lincoln's life and times in an accessible format for younger readers. With the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth this year, and all of the comparisons between Lincoln and Obama, this may be a good book to have around to explain some of the questions your children may have. In addition to the history, the book also has 21 activities, from making a top hat to holding a debate. The book deals with many of the difficult and adult issues surrounding Lincoln and his times, from the Civil War to his suspension of habeas corpus in a clear explainable fashion. There are plenty of illustrations, though they are all in black-and-white, and Herbert's writing is well suited for explaining history through a modern lens. She has written a number of other books in this activity series, including ones on the American Revolution, Leonardo da Vinci and Marco Polo.

Activity-rich History of Lincoln's Life
This book - like Janis Herbert's previous works - strongly recognizes the "learn by doing" educational method. The activities, while simple and straightforward, challenge, teach and provide a fun-filled approach to appreciating this great American president.

The Civil War for Kids: A History with 21 Activities (For Kids series)

Six in a row for Janis Herbert
I have all of the books written by Janis Herbert in this "... for Kids" series ("Leonardo da Vinci...," "Lewis & Clark...," "Civil War...," "Marco Polo..." and "American Revolution...").Each of these books is excellent, so I had high expectations when I learned that a new one was coming out.And I was not disappointed in the least!

"Abraham Lincoln for Kids" is interesting, informative, entertaining, well-written and beautifully illustrated.And I can't imagine that there is any limit to the audience for this book.Clearly, it will be useful for classroom teachers, homeschoolers, and parents looking for a book for their children to read and/or to provide them with educational activities.But Janis Herbert's particular gift is that the content of her books and her writing style are totally accessible to and fun for children, but sophisticated enough to engage and enlighten adults as well -- and even those without children!

The timing of the publication of this book is also fortuitous.2009 is the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth, and there will certainly be much discussion of, and numerous events celebrating, him, his life and his accomplishments before and during that Bicentennial year.Reading this book now will enable you and/or your children to enjoy fully and participate informedly in these discussions and events. ... Read more

Product Description
The folklore surrounding history's towering figures often overshadows actual scholarship, both in terms of quantity and in terms of prevalence in the public consciousness. As one might expect with a revered national icon, nearly every facet of Abraham Lincoln's life has been subject to mythmaking as well as academic inquiry of widely varying quality and accuracy.

In Lincoln Legends, noted historian and Lincoln expert Edward Steers Jr. carefully scrutinizes some of the most notorious tall tales and distorted ideas about America's sixteenth President. Did Abraham Lincoln write his greatest speech on the back of an envelope on the way to Gettysburg? Did he appear before a congressional committee to defend his wife against charges of treason? Was Lincoln an illegitimate child? Was he gay? Edward Steers weighs the evidence in these and other heated debates about the Great Emancipator. Steers's conclusions will satisfy some and disappoint others, and he just might settle some of these enduring questions once and for all. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Great resource for Lincoln legends
Abraham Lincoln-a man who a lot of people agree that he was one of America's best presidents. With that adoration comes a lot of rumors, half-truths, and lies. Edward Steers Jr., who authored of "Blood on the Moon" a book about Lincoln's assassination (a book that I read and enjoyed), sets out to debunk some of the persisting Lincoln rumors.

I found the book to be quite interesting, especially since I'm always looking to read new material on Lincoln. I found the chapters dealing directly with Lincoln to be the most interesting. The ones that dealt with myths after Lincoln was assassinated were not as interesting to me. My favorite chapters were the ones about Abraham and Ann Rutledge (a story still not confirmed but I personally believe it's true), the Gettysburg chapters, and the chapter debunking some quotes that people attribute to Lincoln.

Being a Lincoln fan, I enjoyed this book a lot and I would recommend to anyone who has an interest in America's 16th President.

Lincoln the man the president
This book is one of the best I have ever read I have learned more about Abraham Lincoln by reading this book then almost all the other books i have purchased and read. His life before he became a president was a very simple one but very interesting one also .Reading this book has gave memore and more insite into his life his legend and all the things that matter . It is like his life unravelling right in front of you from the first page to the last .He was a humble person as a man and as a president .Abraham Lincoln was an honus man 4he probably love life more then most people of today do. I salute the man that was our 16th president the only one worth saluting

Dahlgren/Fitzpatrick Raid
Not read the book but I bet it makes no mention of the raid that Lincoln knew a lot about but managed to avoid being blamed for because Stanton burnt the incriminating documents. THe Dahlgren/ Fitzpatrick Raid is a massive blot on Lincoln's supposed character.
Alan Lowe, Manchester Metropolitan University

A great resource
This was such an engrossing and captivating book that I read it in only a couple of days.Of all of the many, many, many books already published about President Lincoln, this one is a most worthy addition to the canon.For many people who have grown up treasuring or swearing by urban legends or outright historical falsehoods (such as Betsy Ross making the first American flag or President Washington chopping down a cherry tree), it can be hard to be confronted with the facts demolishing the legends, but intellectual honesty and historical truth should matter more than preserving a myth just because it makes one feel good or because it's been repeated so often that it's taken on the stature of truth.

I've read a lot about President Lincoln since I was a child, but some of the legends in this book were new to even me, such as the stories about his supposed out of wedlock birth, his alleged late-night baptism in a freezing river, and "Peanut John," the boy who held Booth's horse while he was inside of Ford's Theatre on that fateful night.Other topics covered include Dr. Samuel Mudd (was he or wasn't he an innocent doctor caught in the wrong place at the wrong time?), the true nature of the relationship between the young Abe and Ann Rutledge (I was kind of disappointed to learn that they may not have had a romance, though there is still no conclusive evidence in either direction), the modern-day myth about President Lincoln being gay, the "lost" draft of the Gettysburg Address, and Andrew Potter, the man who never was.Some of these legends may be more interesting to Lincoln scholars than to the general public, but they're all interesting.Some of them even made me laugh, like the one about his supposed true paternity and the totally implausible scenario for his alleged secret late-night baptism in the freezing December weather.There's something in here for everyone who has more than a passing interest in our greatest president.

Lincoln legends skewered
Most of Lincoln Legends is directed at buffs attracted by such arcane topics as the provenance of the Lincoln "birthplace" cabin, the final resting place (or more likely, places) of Ann Rutledge, whether Lincoln could have been baptized by immersion in the Sangamon River, and assorted odd notions about the assassination.A few chapters are of greater significance, among them the one spiking the myth of a "gay Lincoln" and the thorough examination of the "deceptive doctor," Samuel Alexander Mudd.

Steers writes well enough, but the book might have been improved by a more vigorous application of the editorial pen.Steers' method is usually to begin by laying out the mythological tale at perhaps too great a length and then to demolish the myth at the end of the chapter.This course often leads to wordy repetition.Books about myths and hoaxes are often fun to read; and this one is no exception, although it would have been better if it had been say, fifty pages shorter.
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Product Description

Stephen B. Oates discerns the historical truth from the mythical legend that surrounds Lincoln in this original and fascinating portrait of America's 16th president.

Customer Reviews (6)

excellent service
the product was in excellent condition, and it arrived earlier than I anticipated. Not even a scratch was on the book and all page were intact.

Incredible purchase!
I had a very difficult time trying to locate this selection.A professor had recommended this particular selection for an upcoming class.I am a senior citizen and since as a retired teacher I am dedicated to lifelong learning, I enrolled in an Osher Lifelong Learning class on the Roaring 20's.At the conclusion of the class, the instructor recommended this particular selction on an upcoming class on Abraham Lincoln.Amazon came to my rescue and now I am prepared for my class and a closer look at our 16th president.It is a marvelous, introspective read.

The real man behind the myth.
Abraham Lincoln was a great man but between the time of his murder and now, people have made him a myth.However, Lincoln was a man and human, and he was not perfect.Many people judge him by his mistakes, and more revere the myth, but Lincoln grew as a man and leader.His views evolved for the betterment of both himself and his country.Judgement based on his myth or his faults are not valid.Oates' book shows Lincoln in his true human form with all his warts and abilities.My admiration of Lincoln grew with the image of him passing his weaknesses and errors and becoming a strong leader.

This is a nice read about a true American hero.The author's book shows Lincoln in all his human ability.During the year celebrating the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln, this is a great book to read and understand the true Lincoln.

A Man Greater than the Myths
In this small but valuable volume, Oates explores the reality beyond the two sources of Lincoln myth: the primary myth of a saintly and folkloric Lincoln of Carl Sandburg and a secondary myth of the 'white honky' Lincoln of the 1970's revisionists. Oates emphasizes that Lincoln drew deeply upon the "spirit of his age", which was a profoundly revolutionary time across the world. Oates relates how Lincoln absorbed one of the core lessons of America from the example of Henry Clay: : "in this country one can scarcely be so poor, but that, if he will, he can acquire sufficient education to get through the world respectably".

That slavery was the cause of the Civil War is beyond all doubt. As Oates explains, however, the North did not go to war to free the slaves. In the standard phrasing, the North went to war to 'preserve the union'. Oates explores Lincoln's fears that the spread of slavery in the wake of the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the Dred Scott decision would lead to the destruction of democratic society. The debate then still raged on the world stage whether a republican form of government could last. Lincoln rejected the "ingenious sophism" that states could freely leave the Union. "With rebellion thus sugar coated [southern leaders] have been drugging the public mind of their section for more than thirty years." Secession posed nothing less than a final challenge to popular government. If a minority could destroy the government any time it felt aggrieved, then no government could endure. Thus the war had to be fought to preserve not just the American Republic, but the possibility of republican government.

Lincoln did in fact oppose slavery from early on. His views on racial matters apart from slavery became more fully progressive over time. Lincoln, however, hoped that slavery would slowly melt away in a losing competition with free labor and that liberated slaves would resettle in Africa. It is part of Lincoln's greatness that he later gave up these views. Oates explores this evolution in his thinking. Oates debunks the notion that the Emancipation Proclamation was unimportant in liberating the slaves. Oates also refutes the notion that Lincoln would have favored an easy hand during Reconstruction. On the contrary, the evidence strongly suggests he would have led the so-called Radical Republicans.

Highly recommended for any reader with an interest in Lincoln, the Civil War era, or really pretty much any American.

It did not elaborate on the question of Lincoln's parentage.
As an amateur genealogist I discovered that I was a sixth cousin, five times removed to President Abraham Lincoln through the Lincoln and Holmes families. On page 21 ( Abraham Lincoln, The man Behind The Myths )Mr. Oates wrote that there was a mistaken belief that Thomas Lincoln wasnot Abraham's real father rather it was a Senator John C. Calhoun or aHenry Clay. If this was true it would mean that I was not related toPresident Abraham Lincoln. How would such a rumour start ? Is there anydocumented evidence that Nancy Lincoln had an affair with one of these menwhile being married to Thomas Lincoln.At the time I am trying tolocate Stephen B. Oates so I can get this matter cleared up. Sincerely, Mr. Blair E. Bartlett, 87 Shillington Road, Saint John, NewBrunswick, Canada, E2J 4K7 1-506-696-6175 ... Read more

Product Description
Everyone knows about Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, but what about the rest of Illinois? Inspired by the "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" game, the author connects towns in Chicagoland to the sixteenth President within six steps and uncovers some quirky historical facts you may have never heard before.

Read about the city where Lincoln's widow visited a spiritualist, the township named for a general who challenged Lincoln to a duel and many other little-known locations. ... Read more

Product Description
One of our most eminent Lincoln scholars, winner of a Lincoln Prize for his Lincoln at Cooper Union, examines the four months between Lincoln's election and inauguration, when the president-elect made the most important decision of his coming presidency -- there would be no compromise on slavery or secession of the slaveholding states, even at the cost of civil war.

Abraham Lincoln first demonstrated his determination and leadership in the Great Secession Winter -- the four months between his election in November 1860 and his inauguration in March 1861 -- when he rejected compromises urged on him by Republicans and Democrats, Northerners and Southerners, that might have preserved the Union a little longer but would have enshrined slavery for generations. Though Lincoln has been criticized by many historians for failing to appreciate the severity of the secession crisis that greeted his victory, Harold Holzer shows that the presidentelect waged a shrewd and complex campaign to prevent the expansion of slavery while vainly trying to limit secession to a few Deep South states.

During this most dangerous White House transition in American history, the country had two presidents: one powerless (the president-elect, possessing no constitutional authority), the other paralyzed (the incumbent who refused to act). Through limited, brilliantly timed and crafted public statements, determined private letters, tough political pressure, and personal persuasion, Lincoln guaranteed the integrity of the American political process of majority rule, sounded the death knell of slavery, and transformed not only his own image but that of the presidency, even while making inevitable the war that would be necessary to make these achievements permanent.

Lincoln President-Elect is the first book to concentrate on Lincoln's public stance and private agony during these months and on the momentous consequences when he first demonstrated his determination and leadership. Holzer recasts Lincoln from an isolated prairie politician yet to establish his greatness, to a skillful shaper of men and opinion and an immovable friend of freedom at a decisive moment when allegiance to the founding credo "all men are created equal" might well have been sacrificed. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Interesting
This book has a narrow focus - the time between when Lincoln was known to have won the election, and when he was finally sworn in. I got this book because I had heard the conventional wisdom that Lincoln's inactivity during this period was a major negative, and wanted to know more - in this, this book succeeds very well. The book argues very persuasively that Lincoln had to worry about the _very_ real dangers (I didn't realize how real until this book) that either (a) the electoral college wouldn't have enough electors to form a quorum, hence throwing the election into the house, or (b) some electors could change their mind. The author also argues, slightly less persuasively, that Lincoln was very active behind the scenes, blocking this legislation, promoting that one, etc.

One thing that really struck me in this book was how less "imperial" the presidency was - at one point Lincoln holds a yard sale, writing out hand-written receipts! I found these touches very interesting and worthwhile.

I also appreciate the author's examination of the Crittenden Compromise and the Peace Commission, two last-gasp attempts by the Senate to find a compromise - the fact that of the 5 amendments the Peace Commission wound up proposing, 5 dealt explicitly with slavery, show how central and primary that issue was, no matter what revisionist historians may argue.

The author also does a good job showing Lincoln's masterful ability as a writer - I especially appreciate how it "compares and contrasts" his writings to parallel writings by Seward, Jeff Davis, etc.

Finally, recommendations for those who enjoyed this book - for those who want a "prequel", I would recommend the author's book on the Cooper Union speech ("Lincoln at Cooper Union"). for those interested in a "sequel", the excellent "Dissonance: The Turbulent Days Between Fort Sumter and Bull Run" by David Detzer starts almost exactly, to the day, when this book ends.

New view of the interregnum
Finding new things to write about Abe Lincoln must be very difficult, but Holzer does an excellent job here. He does a great job supporting his thesis that Lincoln was far from asleep at the wheel while waiting to be inaugurated. A great addition to anyone's Lincoln library.

A tour de force of a corner of Lincoln history
Many historians, as well as contemporaneous critics, contend that Lincoln was largely ineffectual during the time between his election and his inauguration.

Harold Holzer offers a magisterial retort, with multiple angles.

First, he says, at times due to custom, and at times as a political tactic, Lincoln was compelled to often maintain a policy of near-silence on the burning issue of secession itself.

Second, he shows how Lincoln was active behind the scenes, communicating with Republican leaders around the nation, working on developing a Cabinet, "leaking" some of his ideas to friends and surrogates for inclusion in their own speeches, and more.

And, he was doing all this under the crush of demands for political patronage as the first president of his party, assisted by the grand staff of Nicolay and Hay, with a little help from older friends.

Except for a couple of stumbles on his way from Sprinfield to DC, brought on by tiredness of a high degree, Lincoln managed well to keep his own counsel, maintain a line of "friendly firmness" toward the South and more.

Holzer explains how.

That said, there is a mistake or two in this book, and not just a copy editing type mistake, as noted by one other reviewer.

Early in the book, Holzer says that, at the time of Lincoln, no president since Jackson had sought, or achieved, re-election. On the "achieved," of course, he is right.

But, Jackson's hand-picked successor, Van Buren, sought re-election in 1840, let alone again in 1848 as the Free Soil candidate. And Millard Fillmore had sought re-election just four years ago as the Native American (Know Nothing) candidate.

In contrast to getting two Mondays mixed up, this error shouldn't have gotten in the book in the first place.

Notwithstanding that, this is still a definite five-star book; it's just a reminder to always read carefully!

Another Holzer Home Run
Harold Holzer may be an "amateur" historian, but he has written two of the very best Lincoln bios I have ever read. Lincoln at Cooper Union explained how Lincoln was able to transition from a regional politician who hadn't won a campaign in more than a decade, into a national figure--a matter that had always puzzled me. But Lincoln President Elect is even better. The conventional wisdom has been that Lincoln lost his sea legs after the election until well after the inaugural. But Holzer proves with amazing original research that the contrary is true: Lincoln acted with as much wisdom and intentionality during this period as he did later. Yes, he made mistakes. But Lincoln was already becoming Lincoln.

I think the book also proves the lie that for the South, secession wasn't about slavery.That is precisely what it was about, and attempts to revise that truth hit a solid wall in Holzer's fascinating recounting, which includes the perspectives being expressed in the South as state after state seceeded in "the Great Secession Winter."

Anyone who wants to understand Abraham Lincoln, in a book with a highly readable and absorbing narrative, should read Harold Holzer. Cooper Union was great. President Elect is nothing short of outstanding.

Wealth of Information
Anyone who is intersted in Lincoln and "Sucessionitis", should read this book. Only drawback is Holtzers bias toward Lincoln. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (14)

1856...a very busy year for Mr. Lincoln!
While the title is a bit deceptive (the legal case doesn't figure as much as it would suggest), this is still a well-written book on a pivotal year in Lincoln's life. Ms. Fenster brings out quite a bit of information I'd never known and paints an engaging picture of life in Lincoln's Springfield. This is an enjoyable book that history buffs and Lincoln fans will enjoy equally.

The Forgotten Drama of 1856
Julie M. Fenster is the author of five previous books, including an award-winning history of anesthesia called "Ether: The Strange Tale of America's Greatest Medical Discovery and the Haunted Men Who Made It." She's a regular contributor to American Heritage, as well as other well-respected popular magazines and academic journals.

In "The Case of Abraham Lincoln," Fenster delivers a revealing portrait of Abraham Lincoln both before -- and during -- his rise to political power in the mid-1850s. She uses a famous antebellum murder trial as a fascinating subplot to propel the narrative forward. It's a delightful mixture of biography and scandal that piqued my interest from start to finish.

When we meet Lincoln, he is a successful but frustrated provincial lawyer who makes friends easily but avoids taking strong political stands. The personal details about his every day life are utterly fascinating, given the normal "mythology" that surrounds Lincoln today. For example, we see Lincoln laying on the floor of his parlor, playing with his cats or shutting down the law office in mid-afternoon to play "town ball" (an early form of baseball) with the young store clerks from downstairs.

Throughout the book, Fenster strikes just the right balance between the intimate details of daily life and the earth-shaking events reshaping the national political scene during the run-up to the 1856 election. On one hand, we have a salacious local murder case. On the other hand, we witness the creation of an entirely new political party committed to halting the spread of slavery in the West. Lincoln was thrust into both crucibles at once -- almost by accident. The ultimate result was the greatest president our nation has ever known. (Those who enjoy debating cause and effect in history will find plenty to talk about here.)

"The Case of Abraham Lincoln" belongs to the same new genre of books that I call "Prismatic History." A prism takes a single beam of white light and splits it into its component colors so we can gain a deeper understanding of what lies beneath the seemingly simple facade.

In the same way, Prismatic History starts with a small slice of time (e.g., the year 1856) or a small incident (e.g., a Midwestern family murder). It then reveals the much greater complexity and historical importance that lie just beneath the surface. Other books in this genre include "The Devil in the White City," (about the 1893 Chicago World's Fair) "Isaac's Storm," (about the Galveston hurricane) and "Will in the World" (about the formative years of Shakespeare).

CAUTION: If you're looking for an exhaustive academic history of Lincoln's early law career, or a comprehensive study of antebellum politics, you won't find it here. But if you like a good historical yarn with a fresh perspective and revealing details, you'll love "The Case for Abraham Lincoln." Bravo, Ms. Fenster!

Full Disclosure: I wrote my honor's thesis in history at Brown University about the rise of anti-slavery activism in a small Michigan city during the 1840s and 1850s. (The Republican Party held its first meeting in Jackson, Michigan, in 1854. Oh, what a long, strange trip it's been since then, Mr. McCain.)

Frustrating
When I bought this book, I wanted so much to like it.The author is from Upstate New York (where I am from originally) and the book purports to be about Lincoln and his representation of a client charged with murder.However, come to find out that Lincoln's involvement in this homicide case was merely peripheral.In fact, as another reviewer pointed out, Mr. Lincoln first gets involved in the case around page 200.Unfortunately, the publisher's marketing department knew that a sub-title of "The Story of Adultery, Murder, and the Making of a Great President" would sell more then "Lincoln, The Know-Nothings and the Anti-Nebraska Party."When Ms. Fenster describes the details involving the murder and the subsequent legal proceedings, the narrative flow is very smooth, but without any break in the narrative, she then goes on to discuss a minor will settlement that Lincoln handled.This made for a very difficult read, especially when the reader thinks Ms. Fenster is going to write about the murder trial, but instead interminably goes on about the birth of the Republican Party in Illinois.However, overall a good micro-study of not only Mr. Lincoln, but also the burgeoning state of Illinois in mid-19th century America.

A gift
I bought this book as a gift for my husband who is interested in Lincoln, the law, and political science.He found the book to be informative, entertaining, and well-written.

The Case of Abraham Lincoln
The "Case of Abraham Lincoln" is a well written book, interesting, informative and fun to read. Anyone intersted in Abraham Lincoln, the history of the 1850's, politics or human nature will benefit fromthis reading. ... Read more

Product Description
In dreams, he foresaw his sudden death. He consulted oracles, and at age 22 was told by a seer that he would become President of the United States.

Obscurantists and historians have dismissed Abraham Lincoln's psychic involvements which, in his own time, were profound state secrets. But Lincoln's rise to power coincided with the Great Age of Spiritualism and, as a Mystical Unionist, he felt he was controlled by "some other power."

Trauma and heartbreak opened the psychic door for this otherworldly President, whose precognitive dreams, evil omens, and trancelike states are carefully documented here in this bold yet poignant chronicle of tragic beginnings, White House séances, and paranormal eruptions of the Civil War era.

Aided by the deathbed memoir of his favorite medium, Lincoln's remarkable psychic experiences come to life with communications from beyond, ESP, true and false prophecies, as well as thumbnail sketches of the most influential spiritualists in Lincoln's orbit. Surveying clairvoyant incidents in Lincoln's life from cradle to grave, the book also examines the Emancipation Proclamation and the unseen powers that moved pen to hand for its historic signing into law. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Now here's a different Lincoln book!
I'm the first to admit my two passionate interests are Abraham Lincoln and the paranormal so it shouldn't come as much of a shock that I found this book to be extremely interesting. I don't know that I buy the whole "Lincoln as psychic medium" slant but the book does shed a lot of light on a neglected aspect of Lincoln's personality, that is his interest in the paranormal, ghosts and the like. It discusses his interest in seances...in and out of the White House and makes the argument that Lincoln's interest was far deeper than has been admitted. Overall the evidence presented holds up.
I did take exception to the author taking aim at Dr. Wayne Temple's research. I don't always agree with Dr. Temple but know him to be a fine researcher, the author here would disagree and uses Temple's book "From Skeptic to Prophet" against him repeatedly throughout.
That aside, I really enjoyed this book and would argue that it's a fine addition to any Lincoln library, don't let the subject matter scare you away.

A successful synthesis
Dr. Martinez is to be applauded for the first time threading together all the anecdotal and documented yet neglected references to the Lincoln's attraction and participation in the budding Spiritualist religious movement.Mrs. Lincoln had sensitized herself to the possibility of afterdeath communication by the tragic loss of two young sons.

This work draws connections to primary documents not incorporated into mainstream Lincoln studies.The only disconcerting note is the authors apparent belief in the 19th century alternative bible "Oahspe" channeled through the mediumship of John B. Newbrough.Oahspe is certainly a fringe document with few organized students devoted to its psuedo-old testament language and cosmic operating manual.Oahspe is a more quaint, Victorian "Urantia" type body of work.The one attempt at establishing an intentional community based on Oahspe's teachings was the failed Shalam colony in New Mexico.I understand that Newbrough's body is buried in the Las Cruces Masonic cemetary.

Dr. Martinez's scattered quotes gleaned from Oahspe do not serve to strengthen the premise of her book. The Oahspe derived Lincoln quotes merely serve to embarass the reader for Dr. Martinez if she thinks this dated piece of spiritual literature supports any case for a stronger sympathy of spiritualism by the Lincoln's than may previously been accepted by mainstream historians.Nor are the Lincoln's dyed in the wool spiritualists, but rather inquisitive progressive minded 19th century Americans looking for more than exoteric answers to the questions surrounding life and death.

In the author's biography in this book, it mentions a biography she has written on J.B. Newbrough, this is worth noting for a major study of his life is needed for students of 19th century alternative religious movements.

Lincoln as a man of his times
Impressive.The Psychic Life of Abraham Lincoln, while it is an apologia of Spiritualism past and present, is also a very intimate look at one of the most complex and iconic personalities short of Jesus of Nazareth.While the doubter will have much to criticize I suspect, if ones feelings with regard to the topic of Spiritualism itself can be set aside for the moment, a much clearer portrait of the man can be obtained by the exercise.

The book is, however, very anecdotal and while it puts data into chapters with logical headings, the bulk of each is largely "loose association" and quotes from various sources, many of them having little to do with the Civil War president, and many having to do with the character of Spiritualism in the 19th Century.To the extent that this material places the man solidly within the venue of his own time, this is very helpful.Certainly anyone who has no clue as to the topic of Spiritualism and its history will find it illuminating and helpful to the understanding of the 19th century culture of which it was a part.

Quantities of literature have been written about Lincoln (I Googled his name and came up with 8,510,000 entries), yet it still leaves the reader very confused about him.Perhaps more confused about him.Like the iceberg that sank the Titanic, much of the man's personality lay beneath the "water" line for most of his peers.Furthermore and for this very reason, every writer about the man had/has his own "Lincoln" version in mind.

As Susan Martinez herself notes, more than Lincoln the man, one receives a distorted image filtered through the perspective of his biographers; through cultural lenses, personal biases, personal agendas, etc.Maybe it's unavoidable.Dr. Martinez quotes from a roughly contemporary source which stated that a mind of such genius as Lincoln's, viewed through the filter of lesser minds, always appears "unrecognizable (p. 133)."She also notes the addendum to this statement made by author Victor Searcher (1965) that this fact is the source of the "many different Lincolns (p. 133)."Certainly the man's contemporaries were every bit as confused about the Real Lincoln as modern day authors.

I think that the ultimate cause of this is the fact that Lincoln, by dying as he did and at the time he did, assumed almost deified status for the average person of his time, not to mention for us.He left his work incomplete, he was not allowed to undergo the effects of time which often dims recollections of past deeds or buries them under later concerns and preoccupations. Instead he became an icon of martyrdom, righteousness, freedom, courage in the face of adversity to almost all of his contemporaries and even more so to those generations that followed.

This larger than life iconic status was a very tempting thing to manipulate in the interests of individuals whose own agendas were not quite as altruistic.Furthermore, the attempt to cultivate and manipulate his persona for private interests began almost immediately as the power brokers of the time grappled with one another for control.

Much of our confusion over the man is due to the fact that private family papers were destroyed by Lincoln's only surviving son Robert in an attempt to control what was written and believed about his esteemed father.Robert's efforts at what he obviously considered "damage control" even extended to having his mother committed for "insanity" some years later.Whether this was out of a misguided fear that his father's great reputation would be besmirched by his mother's behavior or that the value of his own reputation as a Lincoln might lose its value is anyone's guess.

Some of our confusion over the person of Lincoln is based in Robert's activities and in the biases about women.Just the basis for the diagnosis of Mary Lincoln's "insanity" would put most modern women in an institution:spending too much money on clothing, having a political opinion, having an educated mind, expressing "excessive" grief (ie. over the loss of almost all of her children except the controlling Robert and of her husband who was assassinated in her presence while she was actually speaking with him; over the fact that while she had a northern husband and loyalty, her natal family was primarily located in the south; and over the fact that her outspokenness caused most people to dislike her because she was "unfeminine," leaving her lonely and isolated, etc.--for which see: Mary Todd Lincoln: A Biography .)

In fact, if one looks at the material on Abraham and Mary Lincoln, one comes up with a very dichotomized view of the two of them, an almost Biblical duality of "good" and "evil."Abraham is everything good, noble, and male, while Mary is everything uncontrolled, selfish and female.They are for their contemporaries, from whose descriptions we gain our only view of them, the antithesis of one another.Part of this was due to the fact that Mary, despite her loyalty and support of her husband's position, was still viewed as Southern, ie "bad," while Abraham was viewed as Northern, ie "good."It should be noted, however, that this latter assessment accrued to the man by virtue of his conveniently dying almost on the eve of the end of the war.During the war, he was often vilified by the same people who paid lip service to his greatness after his death.Life was not easy for the Lincolns during the White House years (for which see: The Lincolns in the White House: Four Years That Shattered a Family .

Because of this duality of persona between the Lincoln pair, much of what was considered "unacceptable" for the icon Lincoln is offloaded onto Mary, "the bad influence."Unfortunately some of this goes on in modern biographies of Lincoln and it paints a distorted portrait of the man.In short it supports the icon, not the man.This is a sad state of affairs.It robs the man of his humanness and denies the incredible burden that he undertook and which, at its end, took his life.It is my firm conviction that even had the man not been assassinated, he would not have lived out his second term.I think he would have died of the effects of the stress under which he lived for over four years, those same effects already visible in the succession of photos of the man over the time of his administration.

So what new does this author actually present to us with her Spiritualistic view of Lincoln?A very good one, I think.For one thing, she reflects on the cover-ups and the manipulation of the Lincoln persona--both that of Abraham and of Mary--by others.She sees and presents Abraham, warts and all, and Mary Lincoln, strong points and all, and she refuses to commit the modern error of removing the two from their own 19th Century milieu.

This is an important point.No person is outside of the influences of his or her own time.If Abraham was a spiritualist at heart and if he chose not to declare it, he was not alone, as Dr. Martinez makes plain.It could be political, professional, and social suicide to make beliefs of this kind known, and she provides examples of it.

But if he and his wife chose to seek comfort in beliefs in an afterlife and a continued interest by the deceased in their living family, why would that be particularly strange?Why when almost every person living at the time had also sustained great family losses in a war that seemed to be without end and who probably also looked to their personal philosophy or religious beliefs for comfort, is the Lincolns' search for a balm for their grief unacceptable and unbelievable?

Why, taken within the reference point of his time and place, would Lincoln's personal beliefs be something to leave out of the picture?Whatever they may have been, and despite the fear that superstition might have made important decisions--given the complexity of any urgent time, tossing a coin might be the only other option!--he obviously had the wherewithal to get through the stressful time and to make good decisions, and that despite his detractors' protests.Anyone who can make considered decisions, by whatever means, in the maelstrom of chaotic and stressful times is a treasure.

Probably better than any of the Lincoln portraits I've read before, this one really, really, really illuminates the staggering stress and emotional burden that this presidency represented to its occupant, and more than any other biography, it shows the incredible good fortune that having this particular man in this particular place at this particular time really was for the destiny of the country.I doubt there were any others who could have withstood the pressure or undertaken the mission so successfully as Lincoln did.If he chose spiritual resources available to him at the time to support his own emotional well being, good for him!

New age libraries will consider it a 'must have' acquisition.
Lincoln saw his death in dreams, consulted oracles, and knew at age 22 that he'd become President of the U.S.: despite the evidence historians have dismissed his psychic involvements. But his rose to power coincided with a rise in interest in spiritualism, and this chronicle of his psychic side, which includes precognitive dreams, trance-like states, and even White House seances, is enhanced by the deathbed memoir of his favorite medium and charts his many clairvoyant incidents and psychic interests. New age libraries will consider it a 'must have' acquisition.

God-Fearin' President or Atheist?
Historians have not been able to agree as to President Lincoln's religious beliefs. He has been characterized as everything from a God-fearing Christian to an atheistic humanist.It seems clear that Lincoln did not often attend church services and took issue with some of the dogma, doctrine, and methods of orthodox Christianity. And, yet, he emerges as one of our most spiritual presidents.

Dr. Susan Martinez, the author of this book, points out that more than 6,000 books have been written about Lincoln and that it has been said that "there are no important new facts to disclose."She takes issue with that comment as the stories about Lincoln's association with several credible mediums, especially one Nettie Colburn Maynard, while not new, have been pretty much ignored, forgotten, denied, or swept under the rug.

Many of Lincoln's biographers have taken note of claims that the 16th President received guidance from spirits who communicated through mediums.However, the claims are usually derided as beneath the dignity of such a great man.Not long before reading this book, I read a very lengthy magazine article dealing with Lincoln's religious and spiritual views. It mentioned that Spiritualists had made claims to having influenced Lincoln's thinking, but the author seems to have smirked at this claim and did not elaborate.

Martinez digs deeply into the documented records of Lincoln's involvement with mediums and sets forth a preponderance of evidence suggesting that he was indeed guided by benevolent spirits communicating through credible mediums in his most crucial decisions and creative works, including the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address.

Lincoln was seen by many who knew him as a somber man with a gloomy disposition.Martinez examines his "peculiar melancholy" and the events in his life that shaped it, including his mother's death at age nine, a strict and distant father, the death of a sister at age 10, and the death of his beloved Ann Rutledge when he was 26.She examines Lincoln's inner turmoil and his attempts to reconcile all of his hardships and the vindictive God of the Old Testament with his evolving ideas of justice, mercy, and goodness, concluding that these experiences molded Lincoln's psyche in a way that made him more sensitive to the unseen principle.

Martinez recounts the paranormal events of 1848 giving rise to belief in spirit communication, pointing out that many celebrated names, including Elizabeth Barrett Browning, William Cullen Bryant, Thomas Carlyle, James Fenimore Cooper, Emily Dickinson, Horace Greeley, Sir William Crookes, Edgar Allen Poe, Alfred Russel Wallace, Mark Twain, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Queen Victoria, and W. B. Yeats, became investigators and proponents of the new "Spiritual Science." And yet, the evidence was suppressed by the religious fundamentalists, who saw the phenomena as a threat to established dogma and doctrine, as well as by scientific fundamentalists, who viewed it with "intellectual" arrogance.

The president's wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, began exploring "spiritualism," as it came to be called, by visiting mediums and sitting in circles after the death of their 11-year-old son, "Willie."The president took a passing interest in the phenomena and then joined in on a more regular basis. At one sitting, after Nettie Colburn went into a trance, it is said that the spirits speaking through her lectured the president about his duty to emancipate the slaves.

A number of people who knew Lincoln or came in contact with him are quoted attesting to his association with "spiritualists" and the influence they had on him and his important decisions during the Civil War.Others who knew him denied such an association.Martinez dissects the testimony and leaves the reader with evidence strongly favoring spirit communication and influence.She says that Lincoln moved from being an agnostic to a believer.But a believer in what?"No earthly power, no organized religion, no man-made God," she concludes, "but faith - a new faith - in the outworkings of the Unseen world of intelligent design."

... Read more

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This is the definitive single-volume collection of Abraham Lincoln's speeches and writings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An Excellent One-Volume Collection of Lincoln's Writing


BOOK REVIEW: 'The Language of Liberty': Perhaps the Best One-Volume Collection of Lincoln's Writings

Reviewed By David M. Kinchen


With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan -- to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations. -- Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural address, March 4, 1865.

[...].

If you want to explore in detail Abraham Lincoln's speeches and other writings, you could find a library with the definitive eight-volume "The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln," edited by Roy P. Basler and published in 1953 by Rutgers University Press or -- a far more practical approach -- you could buy and read the expanded Bicentennial Edition of Joseph R. Fornieri's "The Language of Liberty: The Political Speeches and Writings of Abraham Lincoln" (Regnery, 829 pages, $34.95).

Fornieri, an associate professor of political science at Rochester Institute of Technology, is a noted Lincoln scholar and I found his notes and commentaries very useful as I read this book. Fornieri writes in the preface to this special edition that the book was originally designed for students in his political science courses at RIT. He adds that the book will also appeal to "the Lincoln aficionado and scholar alike."

Most people won't read this doorstop of a book from cover to cover, but it's a wonderful reference book since it contains both inaugural addresses, Lincoln's proclamations and the complete text of the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 that propelled Lincoln to the national spotlight and the Republican nomination for President two years later.

This Lincoln Douglas debates -- seven of them held at Ottawa, Freeport, Jonesboro, Charleston, Galesburg, Quincy and Alton, Illinois in the summer and fall of 1858 -- are included in their entirety. Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas were, respectively, the Republican and Democratic candidates for Senator from Illinois. In those days, before the direct election of senators authorized by the 17th Amendment to the Constitution adopted in 1913, state legislators chose senators. Douglas won the seat, despite the widespread belief that Lincoln bested him in the debates.

Lincoln's famous Feb. 27, 1860 speech at the Cooper Union in New York is also included. Many Lincoln scholars believe that this speech nailed the nomination for Lincoln later that year at the GOP convention in Chicago. The "home field advantage" for Lincoln in Chicago didn't hurt, either, Fornieri notes.

Most other collections present Lincoln's speeches and writings in a substantially edited form. Fornieri takes a different approach, providing a comprehensive selection of Lincoln's most important speeches and writings -- including his wonderful letters -- in their entirety. To make the book easier to follow for the lay reader -- and even the Lincoln scholar -- it's conveniently divided both chronologically and thematically into five periods/chapters from 1832-1865. A final chapter offers a compilation of Lincoln's speeches and writings on the theme of religion and politics.

Since context is all important, Fornieri supplies clearly written and very imformative head-notea, which place Lincoln's words in context for the reader. Too, each period/chapter includes a concise historical, political, and biographical overview of the major events in Lincoln's life and the life of the nation. Since most people need help with the crucial terms, dates, events and issues of the Civil War, Fornieri helpfully supplies them.

The final section of the book discusses Lincoln's Political Faith, which includes an offering of his public and private utterances on religion, and a definition of this political faith based upon the first principles of the Declaration of Independence. The author also furnishes a selected bibliography of secondary sources for further reading on various subjects related to Lincoln's life and career.

Naturally, there is a comprehensive index. If you look up the Gettysburg Address, you'll find it on Pages 684-685, with a note by Fornieri telling us that the principal speaker on Nov. 19, 1863 was not the President, but the distinguished -- and long-winded -- orator Edward Everett. His speech lasted two hours, compared to three minutes for Lincoln's immortal speech. If I had to pick one single piece of writing by Lincoln -- and he wrote everything himself -- it would be difficult to find one better than Lincoln's speech that November day.

Fornieri's beautifully printed and bound book is a wonderful tribute to Lincoln in this, the Bicentennial Year of his birth in Hardin County Kentucky on Feb. 12, 1809. I recommend it without reservation.

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Product Description
"A narrative and descriptive biography with pen-pictures and personal recollections by those who knew him".This edition contains only the text, no illustrations.According to Wikipedia: "Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 - April 15, 1865) was the sixteenth President of the United States, serving from March 4, 1861 until his assassination. As an outspoken opponent of the expansion of slavery in the United States,Lincoln won the Republican Party nomination in 1860 and was elected president later that year. During his term, he helped preserve the United States by leading the defeat of the secessionist Confederate States of America in the American Civil War. He introduced measures that resulted in the abolition of slavery, issuing his Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and promoting the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution in 1865."

Responding to customer feedback, I made improvements to the formatting of this book on 7/16/2009.If you bought a copy before then, you should be able to download the new version at no additional cost.Feedback always welcome. seltzer@samizdat.com ... Read more