Tag: Lincoln Group of DC

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Abraham Lincoln and the Election of 1864

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In the summer of 1864, the chances of Abraham Lincoln’s reelection looked dim, and he knew it. The election was critical – a Lincoln loss could very well have changed the course of history as the alternative platform was peace at the price of revoking emancipation. The very fact that an election was being held as the country was tearing itself apart was historic.

But Lincoln did win the election. The reasons are many, and the Lincoln Group of DC explored them all on November 8, 2014 – the 150th anniversary to the day – in a full-day symposium “The Election of 1864.”

Thomas Horrocks

An impressive assemblage of Lincoln historians came together to discuss the election. Starting off the day was Thomas Horrocks, Director of the John Hay Library at Brown University. Horrocks recounted the many campaign biographies that helped create a new image for the incumbent president in “The Rail-Splitter as Father Abraham: Campaign Biographies.”

Elizabeth VaronElizabeth Varon, Professor of History at the University of Virginia, then provided some insights on the election from the South in her talk “Catastrophe or Setback? The Election of 1864 in Confederate Eyes.”

 

Jennifer Weber“The Summer of ’64” was a critical time period that significantly impacted the election, said University of Kansas Professor Jennifer Weber, author of Copperheads. Grant’s overland campaign had even die-hard Unionists war weary; Weber explored many reasons how military disasters turned into Union – and Lincoln’s – victories.

 

Jonathan W. WhiteSpeaking of the military, the soldier vote was crucial to Lincoln’s electoral victory in November. Christopher Newport University Professor and historian Jonathan W. White examined voting dynamics that possibly changed the outcome of the election in “Emancipation and the Soldier Vote of 1864.”

 

Michael BurlingameFollowing these great talks was our keynote speaker, noted historian Michael Burlingame, author and editor of numerous books on Abraham Lincoln. In a wide-ranging talk, Burlingame brought us into the opposition Lincoln faced in reelection, including many in his own party. His “Radicals, Abolitionists, and Lincoln’s Reelection” explored the fickleness not just of the public, but of the lawmakers and generals who worked for and against Lincoln.

White, Burlingame, Varon, Weber, Horrocks

But wait, there’s more. All five speakers sat en banc for a panel discussion and took questions from the audience packed into the benches of the E. Barrett Prettyman US District Courthouse. Participation was active and informed, and the panelists were challenged to provide additional information expanding on their topics.

If you missed this historic event, you’re in luck. The entire symposium was captured by C-SPAN and will be airing in its entirety on Friday, November 28, 2014 beginning at 8:00 am (and repeated beginning at 8:00 pm). For more information go to www.c-span.org/history.

I’ll post more about the symposium soon, and be sure to check out the Lincoln Group of DC website for more information on upcoming events. Follow us on Twitter, Like us on Facebook, and Link with us on LinkedIn to keep up to date on events and fast facts about Abraham Lincoln.

David J. Kent is a lifelong Lincolnophile and is currently working on a book about Abraham Lincoln’s interest in science and technology. His most recent article, “Lincoln and the Rule of Three,” was published in the September 2014 issue of The Lincolnian. He is also the author of Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity and an ebook Nikola Tesla: Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time

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Odd Tastes in Art, Climate Change Politics, Abe Lincoln Gets Married (and Reelected)

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It’s been another busy week, so here’s a quick roundup from Hot White Snow, The Dake Page, and Science Traveler.

The Death of MaratWhat do Picasso’s “Guernica,” David’s “The Death of Marat,” and Wyeth’s “Christina’s World” have in common? They all were posters hanging on my bedroom wall as a teenager. Yes, I was not a normal child. Read more at “An Odd Taste in Art for a Teen.”

 

IPCC reportTwo big events in climate science occurred this week. The most important one (IPCC’s Synthesis Report) was largely ignored while the least important one (Mid-Term Elections) will be talked about for the next two years. Check out why on The Dake Page.

 

Lincoln MemorialSpeaking of elections, Abraham Lincoln was reelected on November 8th, 1865, and 150 years later we are celebrating this milestone event with our Lincoln Group Symposium this Saturday in downtown DC. Only two days to go – sign up now or you can register at the door.

 

Lincoln and Mary ToddMeanwhile, this week also saw the anniversary of Lincoln’s tempestuous marriage to Mary Todd. The sudden wedding caught everyone by surprise; could have been because Mary had seduced old Abe? And why did Mary refuse to be photographed with her husband? Find out here.

 

Bonus! Sales of Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity have remained strong since the second printing went back into Barnes and Noble this summer. More than 25,000 copies have been sold so far, and the publisher has ordered a third printing for February 2015. Meanwhile, my e-book continues to sell on Amazon – look for some exciting news about Nikola Tesla: Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time to be annnounced shortly.

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Last Chance to Join the Election of 1864 Symposium (The Reelection of Abraham Lincoln)

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1864-poster.gifAbraham Lincoln was reelected for a second term in 1864, which surprised everyone, including Lincoln. After three years of a brutal war pitting American against American, many people were ready for a change. But “changing horses in the middle of the stream,” as Lincoln once noted, would lead to the destruction of the United States.

Find out why the election was so critical during the Lincoln Group of DC’s full-day symposium on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at the E. Barrett Prettyman District Courthouse in downtown Washington, D.C. Some of the most prominent Lincoln scholars will be explaining just how critical this election was, and how it went from a surefire Lincoln loss to his victory. Featured presenters are:

Michael Burlingame: One of the most respected Lincoln experts in the world, Burlingame holds the Chancellor Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair in Lincoln Studies at the University of Illinois at Springfield. Author and editor of many books on Lincoln, his topic for the symposium is “Radicals, Abolitionists, and Lincoln’s Reelection.”

Thomas Horrocks: Director of special collections and the John Hay Library at Brown University, Horrocks is the author/editor for multiple Lincoln books and will speak on “The Rail Splitter as Father Abraham: Lincoln’s 1864 Campaign Biographies.”

Elizabeth R. Varon is the Langbourne M. Williams Professor of History at the University of Virginia and author of several books, including her latest: Appomattox: Victory, Defeat, and Freedom at the End of the Civil War. Her topic for the symposium is “Catastrophe or Setback? The Election of 1864 in Confederate Eyes.”

Jennifer Weber is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Kansas and specializes in Civil War studies. Her book Copperheads was widely acclaimed. Dr. Weber will speak on “The Summer of ’64.”

Jonathan W. White: Assistant Professor of American Studies at Christopher Newport University and the author of Emancipation, the Union Army, and the Reelection of Abraham Lincoln. He will speak on “Emancipation and the Soldier Vote of 1864.”

More details on the speakers and the program can be found on the website of the Lincoln Group of the District of Columbia.

Time is running out so go to the link above to register to attend. You can also register at the door. The symposium is Saturday, November 8, 2014 and runs from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.

You don’t want to miss this event (or any of the other 150th anniversary events the Lincoln Group has coming up). Join us now!

David J. Kent is a lifelong Lincolnophile and is currently working on a book about Abraham Lincoln’s interest in science and technology. His most recent article, “Lincoln and the Rule of Three,” was published in the September 2014 issue of The Lincolnian. He is also the author of Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity and an ebook Nikola Tesla: Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time

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Abraham Lincoln and the Election of 1864

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th_LincolnAs the Civil War raged on, things weren’t looking so good for the reelection of Abraham Lincoln. In August 1864 Lincoln asked his entire cabinet to sign the back of what became the “blind memorandum,” essentially a promise to work with whomever wins the November elections to save the Union before the new president would be sworn into office.

 

And yet Lincoln was reelected, by a wide margin in fact. How did this happen?

Find out on the 150th anniversary of that election, on November 8th, 2014 at the E. Barrett Prettyman District Courthouse in Washington, DC. That’s when the Lincoln Group of DC is sponsoring a full day of expert historians examining The Election of 1864.

1864-banner

At the symposium you’ll find out why Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee tried so hard to disrupt the northern elections. You’ll find out how Lincoln prepared for what appeared to be a looming defeat. And you’ll find out what changed all that, from critical military victories to strategic political maneuvering. The result was the reelection of Abraham Lincoln and the saving of the Union.

Join distinguished Lincoln experts Michael Burlingame*, Thomas Horrocks, Elizabeth Varon, Jennifer Weber, and Jonathan W. White as they explore every facet of an election that is without a doubt one of the most important elections in our nation’s history. The very fact that it occurred at all during a Civil War is significant; even more so because a different result would likely have split our nation apart.

It’s not too late to register for the event. Click to go to the Lincoln Group website and join us for what is guaranteed to be a highlight of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Also, Like our Facebook page to keep up to date on Lincoln Group events and information on our sixteenth president.

[*Note: Michael Burlingame has graciously agreed to stand in for our scheduled keynote speaker, Dr. Allen Guelzo, who has had to withdraw for personal reasons. Watch for Dr. Guelzo to join us next March at the Lincoln Inaugural reenactment and gala.]

David J. Kent is a lifelong Lincolnophile and is currently working on a book about Abraham Lincoln’s interest in science and technology. His most recent article, “Lincoln and the Rule of Three,” was published in the September 2014 issue of The Lincolnian. He is also the author of Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity and an ebook Nikola Tesla: Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time.

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Abraham Lincoln and the Rule of Three

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Abraham Lincoln rose from a nearly non-existent formal education to become the 16th President of the United States. In a brief biography provided to friends endorsing his 1860 nomination he wrote “I could read, write, and cipher to the Rule of Three; but that was all.” That was the extent of his formal schooling.

Lincoln sum book rule of three

Page from Lincoln’ sum book. Photo courtesy Library of Congress.

Anyone with an interest in Lincoln – or frontier schooling in general – has likely heard those words, but very few people probably know what they mean. The reading and writing make sense, but “ciphering to the rule of three?”

It turns out the “rule of three” is a way of solving proportions, what we more commonly today call “ratios.” It is a form of cross-multiplication in which the problem is set up such that the unknown quantity is the last “extreme” in a series of numbers exhibiting a proportional relationship. The basic form is:

 

Rule of Three basic form2

The idea is to determine the value of x when you know the values of a, b, and c. The Rule of Three states that you simply rearrange this simple ratio formula into:

Rule of Three rearranged

Another way of looking at it is by laying out the three known terms in a linear sequence (a –> b –> c) and then multiplying the last term (c) by the middle term (b) and then dividing that product by the first term (a).

That’s it. Not very complicated on its face, but this simple rule could incorporate not only multiplication and division but also addition and subtraction. Lincoln likely used it to figure out proportions and costs for different supplies during the time he was a young storekeeper in New Salem. Of course, Lincoln went on to learn long division and other math functions as well, not to mention he mastered the six books of Euclid geometry. He also taught himself the law, political oratory, and the logical thinking that helped him define the slavery debate and, eventually, make him one of our greatest presidents.

Not bad for a guy with less than a year of formal schooling.

[The above is adapted from my book, Lincoln: The Fire of Genius and an article published in The Lincolnian, a publication of the Lincoln Group of the District of Columbia.]

 

Fire of Genius

Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln’s Commitment to Science and Technology Helped Modernize America is available at booksellers nationwide.

Limited signed copies are available via this website. The book also listed on Goodreads, the database where I keep track of my reading. Click on the “Want to Read” button to put it on your reading list. Please leave a review on Goodreads and Amazon if you like the book.

You also follow my author page on Facebook.

David J. Kent is President of the Lincoln Group of DC and the author of Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln’s Commitment to Science and Technology Helped Modernize America and Lincoln: The Man Who Saved America.

His previous books include Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity and Edison: The Inventor of the Modern World and two specialty e-books: Nikola Tesla: Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time and Abraham Lincoln and Nikola Tesla: Connected by Fate.

 

 

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Where to Find Abraham Lincoln in Washington DC

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Abraham Lincoln spent about six years in Washington, D.C. The first two were from 1847 to 1849 when he served his one term as a U.S. Congressman from Illinois. The last four – the last four years of his life – were as President of the United States during one of the most tumultuous times of our nation’s history. Many statues and other honors to our sixteenth president can be found in the city, and one of the oldest organizations dedicated to the celebration of his life is based here – the Lincoln Group of the District of Columbia.

LGDC banner

In these sesquicentennial years of the Civil War, the Lincoln Group of DC has been active staging a variety of events acknowledging key events in Lincoln’s presidency, as well as highlighting some of the wonderful authors and historians that write about it. Coming off our recent dinner lecture by author Chris DeRose and the beginning of this year’s Lincoln Group book discussion, the following few weeks and months are especially busy. Anyone interested in Abraham Lincoln and in the DC area can join us for the following (click on the links for more information):

October 4th: Motorcoach trip tracking Sheridan’s 1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaign and its impact on the crucial presidential election of 1864.

October 21st: Dinner lecture by John McKee Barr, historian and author of “Loathing Lincoln.” (Scroll down after clicking on link)

November 8th: Symposium – The Election of 1864. A full day featuring such notable Lincoln scholars as Allen Guelzo, Jonathan White, and many more. This is absolutely not to be missed!

December 16th: Dinner lecture by Gerard Magliocca – “Turning Lincoln’s Vision into Law: John Bingham and the Fourteenth Amendment.”

And that is just the beginning! In 2015 we’ll have more monthly dinner speakers, a spring symposium, and an amazing 2nd Inauguration Day trio of events featuring Bobby Horton and a reenactment on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. [And if you look close, you might just see a certain filmmaker of documentaries on the Civil War, Baseball, Jazz, National Parks, and the Roosevelts. But ssshhhh, you didn’t hear that yet.]If you have any interest in Abraham Lincoln or the Civil War, now is the time to get involved with the Lincoln Group of the District of Columbia. Check out our website, read our newsletters, join our book discussion group, ride along on our expert-guided bus tours, meet current Lincoln authors at our dinner meetings, and share your interests with some of the most knowledgeable Lincoln scholars and aficionados in the world.

David J. Kent is a lifelong Lincolnophile and is currently working on a book about Abraham Lincoln’s interest in science and technology. He is also the author of Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity and an ebook Nikola Tesla: Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time.

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Saving Abraham Lincoln’s Washington – The Lincoln Group and the Battle of Monocacy

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On June 28, 2014, the Lincoln Group of the District of Columbia celebrated the 150th anniversary of the saving of Washington during the Civil War. Like Abraham Lincoln, we stood tall at Fort Stevens, though unlike Lincoln, no one shot at us. But first, the Monocacy National Battlefield.

Monocacy National Battlefield

About 30 members of the Lincoln Group left the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station by motor coach and headed for our first stop at the Monocacy battlefield grounds. The battle, which occurred in the summer of 1864, was a strategic gamble by Confederate General Jubal Early to take Washington. On Robert E. Lee’s orders, Early secretly marched his men at a record clip northward in the Shenendoah Valley, across the Potomac into Maryland, and headed for the Union’s capital city. The goal was to cause enough concern in the North to disrupt the upcoming presidential elections, Lee envisioning that the defeat of Abraham Lincoln would help the war end on the South’s terms. All the better if Early could capture the Union capital city and force Lincoln into exile.

Monocacy battlefield map

First catching on to Early’s ploy was Union General Lew Wallace (later the author of Ben Hur), with some inside intelligence from B&O Railroad President John Garrett. Despite already being chastised by Ulysses S. Grant for his perceived failures of command at Shiloh, Wallace took the initiative to move a cobbled-together group of inexperienced soldiers to meet Early head-on at Monocacy. By the end of the day Wallace’s troops were retreating in defeat, but that day of delay allowed other troops to arrive at Fort Stevens for a final victory, pushing the much larger Confederate army back into Virginia and saving the city.

Monocacy battlefield

Craig Howell, the Lincoln Group’s outgoing 1st Vice-President and DC-certified Civil War tour guide, led us across the fields at Monocacy to view the main railroad trunk lines that bracketed the early battle. From there we reboarded the bus to visit two other battlefield locations at the Worthington House and Thomas farm. Craig’s knowledge of the troop movements during the battle, sprinkled with stories of personality conflicts and unending background information, made the tour both entertaining and incredibly informative.
Fort StevensAfter a delightful open-air lunch at the Urbana Park, we were on to Fort Stevens. Located inside the District line from Silver Spring, Maryland (and not far from the modern day horror of the “DC sniper”), Fort Stevens is a series of low dirt mounds lined with Union cannon. Here was not only the repelling of Early’s forces but the site of one of Abraham Lincoln’s most famous incidents.Lincoln at Fort StevensLiving not far away at the Soldier’s Home, Lincoln had decided to see the action first hand. Ignoring the risk, Lincoln stood his 6-foot, 4-inch frame (plus tall top hat) on top of the mound to get a view. A medical officer standing beside him was hit with a bullet, after which the infamous (and possibly apocryphal) line was blurted out: “Get down you fool.” Whether it was this or a more respectful imploring for the President to get out of the line of fire we will likely never know, but thankfully he did get down and was unharmed.Fort DeRussyOur last stop was at Fort DeRussy, another of the small forts that served as a perimeter around Washington DC during the war. Earthenwork like Fort Stevens, DeRussy also boasted a “100-pounder,” a rifled Parrott cannon that could fire accurately for up to 4 miles.Many thanks to Craig Howell for being such a fantastic and knowledgeable tour guide, to Beltway Transportation for the comfortable bus and daring driver, and to Karen Needles, Susan Dennis, and everyone else in the Lincoln Group who arranged the tour. As the saying goes, a great time was had by all.

But wait, there’s more. Check out all the upcoming events of the Lincoln Group of DC as we continue our celebration of Abraham Lincoln in these sesquicentennial years of the Civil War.

David J. Kent is a lifelong Lincolnophile and is currently working on a book about Abraham Lincoln’s interest in science and technology. He is also the author of Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity and a soon-to-be-released ebook on Nikola Tesla :Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time.

 

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Lincoln Group of DC Joins Facebook…and More!

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LGDC logoFounded in 1935, the Lincoln Group of the District of Columbia (LGDC) has been instrumental in celebrating the life and times of our 16th President – Abraham Lincoln. And now LGDC is going digital. Yes, Abraham Lincoln has a Facebook page.

But wait, there’s more.

The Lincoln Group of DC also has a new LinkedIn group page.

We also have a Twitter handle (@LGDC2).

Somewhere down the line we may expand into Google+, YouTube, and whatever other social networking sites seem appropriate for our membership and fans. Until then please take a moment to “Like,” “Join,” and “Follow” the Lincoln Group of DC.

To Like our LGDC Facebook page, click here ———–> LGDC Facebook

To Join our LGDC LinkedIn group, click here ————> LGDC LinkedIn

To Follow our LGDC Twitter feed, click here ————> LGDC Twitter

To bookmark our LGDC website, click here ————-> LGDC website

Because we are in the midst of the sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) of the Civil War, the Lincoln Group of DC has a steady stream of events going on right now. Check our LGDC website for more details on the following:

June 28th: Picnic and motorcoach tour of The Battle of Monocacy and Fort Stevens

August 2nd: “Lincoln’s War on Slavery in 1864”

August 16th: Author James Conroy speaking on “Our One Common Country, Abraham Lincoln and the Hampton Roads Peace Conference of 1865”

September: LGDC book club starts a new book, Michael Burlingame’s “The Inner World of Abraham Lincoln.” [With a special appearance for those who participate]

There is a lot more, of course. The Lincoln Group of DC is one of the country’s foremost gathering of Abraham Lincoln experts. Membership is a must for anyone interested in our 16th President or the Civil War. Everyone is welcome to join LGDC and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Check us out!

LGDC banner

David J. Kent is a lifelong Lincolnophile and is currently working on a book about Abraham Lincoln’s interest in science and technology. He is also the author of Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity and a soon-to-be-released ebook on Tesla and Renewable Energy.

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Abraham Lincoln Book Club of Washington DC

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The Abraham Lincoln Group of the District of Columbia has a book club. And this past weekend we finished reading Herndon’s Lincoln, the book that we’ve been discussing for the last nine months. In my earlier review I noted that this particular edition of the book was greatly enhanced by the incredible editorial annotation by Douglas L. Wilson and Rodney O. Davis. Even more invaluable was the input from the book members themselves.

I should emphasize that our Lincoln Group book club includes several historians, archivists, researchers, and all-around Abraham Lincoln scholars. We also had people who had little previous knowledge of Lincoln. Each of us brought our own preconceptions, backgrounds, and opinions, which when informed further by the personal insights of Herndon and others who knew Lincoln, made for lively and sometimes surprising discussions. Arising from the three-quarter-year analysis was a much deeper understanding of both the book and Abraham Lincoln. I think everyone in the group would agree that it was a worthwhile and special experience.

LGDC book discussion group

This last session was special in another sense as well. Because of a last minute scheduling conflict we were not able to use the room that has been our home base for the last nine months. Normally we meet on the 5th floor of the Ford’s Theatre Center for Education and Leadership, across the street from the famous site of Lincoln’s assassination and next to the Petersen House, where Lincoln died.

Our backup plan was Ford’s Theatre itself, or more accurately, the conference room on the top floor of Ford’s Theatre. Bypassing the lines queued up for the matinee of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, we found the entrance to an elegant conference room tucked into the rafters of the theater. Here is the view from the top as the audience filed in for the performance.

Ford's Theatre from the rafters

George Healey’s famous painting of Abraham Lincoln loomed over our group as we discussed the final chapters. Imagine sitting in a room discussing the motivations of the man gazing in thoughtful contemplation over your left shoulder. No, we weren’t intimidated. Much.

LGDC book club

Abe did photobomb the apparently requisite selfie at such grandiose events. Left to right are John Elliff, Richard Margolies (our esteemed discussion leader), Abe, Me, and Rodney Ross.

Selfie

While a bit of Lincolnesque melancholy was felt with the ending of this past year’s discussion, a new birth of excitement was in the air because we had chosen the next book for discussion – The Inner World of Abraham Lincoln by noted Lincoln scholar, Michael Burlingame. Even more exciting is that, thanks to Rod Ross, Michael Burlingame has agreed to speak to our discussion group on November 1st. Check out the LGDC site for more details as they emerge.

For those in the Washington DC area with an interest in Abraham Lincoln, please consider our Lincoln Group book club. You don’t have to be a Lincoln expert to join; you just have to read the book. It doesn’t get much easier than that. And the rewards?

Priceless!

David J. Kent is an avid Lincolnophile and the author of Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity. You can order a signed copy directly from me, download the ebook at barnesandnoble.com, and find hard copies at Barnes and Noble bookstores, as well as online at B&N.com and Amazon.com.

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Herndon’s Lincoln by William H. Herndon and Jesse W. Weik (Edited by Douglas L. Wilson and Rodney O. Davis)

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Herndon's LincolnThis is an extraordinary book, for several reasons. First, William H. Herndon was Abraham Lincoln’s law partner for sixteen years prior to Lincoln becoming President. Second, because Herndon spent several years after Lincoln’s assassination writing to and interviewing scores of people who knew Lincoln during his life and career up to the presidency. Third, because editors Douglas L. Wilson and Rodney O. Davis have done an extraordinary job digging into Herndon and Weik’s original letters and notes to discern between actual reporting and embellishment. There have been many versions of Herndon’s Lincoln produced in the years since its 1889 release, but Wilson and Davis’ voluminous and informative endnotes make this edition superior.

Herndon has been accused of being too biased in discussing Lincoln’s relationship with his father and with Mary Lincoln, and of seriously embellishing the story of Ann Rutledge. Nevertheless, he tirelessly undertook an effort to document Lincoln’s history through his interviews of those who knew him best. Herndon’s efforts at collecting this information, along with Weik’s effort to get the book written, have provided an invaluable service to everyone who wants to better understand our sixteenth President. Wilson and Davis complete the picture by helping us sift through what is supported, what is embellishment, and what is still a mystery. Herndon’s Informants, another volume edited by Wilson and Davis, is a must-have corollary to Herndon’s Lincoln as it contains the full text of each letter and interview conducted by Herndon. I highly recommend both.

I should note this edition of Herndon’s Lincoln was the book we read this year in our Lincoln Group of DC book club.

LGDC book discussion group

We started reading the book in September 2013 and will have our last monthly meeting in early May 2014, at which time we’ll also discuss the book we’ll read this coming year. [Check out the website for more information on how to join us.] The insights arising from the varying views offered by other book club members were as invaluable as the Wilson and Davis notes. The discussion helped bring the book to life.

David J. Kent is an avid Lincolnophile and the author of Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity. You can order a signed copy directly from me, download the ebook at barnesandnoble.com, and find hard copies at Barnes and Noble bookstores, as well as online at B&N.com and Amazon.com.

Follow me by subscribing by email on the home page.  And feel free to “Like” my Facebook author’s page and connect on LinkedIn.  Share with your friends using the buttons below.