 The
Inner World of Abraham Lincoln by
Michael Burlingame ~ In the
tradition of psychobiography epitomized by
Fawn Brodie (Thomas
Jefferson: An Intimate History), Connecticut College
historian Burlingame opens the psychiatrist's couch to
Lincoln. The author
claims no attempt to rewrite the story of
Lincoln's life; rather, he traces
the origin of
Lincoln's furious temper, cruel streak, aversion to women,
hatred of slavery, and stormy relationship with his temperamental wife.
Lincoln has been the subject of other psycho-biographies (e.g.,
Charles B. Strozier's
Lincoln's Quest for Union),
and Burlingame does much to synthesize these other works. At the same time,
he challenges the work of
Lincoln's traditional biographer,
James G. Randall. Utilizing
the papers of
Lincoln's law partner,
William Henry Herndon, and contemporary
newspaper accounts, the author gives us an aggregate picture of a troubled
man. Whether you agree with Burlingame or not, his analysis is an important
new look at the man who shaped the course of a nation in peril. Highly recommended
for all academic and public libraries. |
The
Night Before Christmas Has Come and Gone...Now What? by
Linda Beecham (Author) (Paperback -
Jan. 29, 2010)
All
The Best
I'm
Wide Awake It's Morning
Nightbird
The
Future
The
Lamb Lies Down on Broadway