The Sheila Variations

Get "Lincoln" by David Herbert Donald. I believe it was a Pulitzer Prize winner seven or eight years ago (maybe a little longer). It's very readable and Donald brings vitality and humanity to his portrayal of Lincoln. An excellent book. You should be able to find an inexpensive copy either used or remaindered.

That was quick! Thanks for the response ... I wrote it down in my notebook, so I can keep my eyes open for it.

i can second the David Herbert Donald wholeheartedly. Best one-volume Lincoln bio out there.

Happy Valentine's Day Sheila!

Hasn't Doris Kearns Goodwin writing a bio of Lincoln for, like, seven years now? When's that coming out?

"Been." "Been writing." God.

I must have been channeling peteb.

Well, I clicked on to recommend the David H. Donald book, and there it is in the first comment. So, I thought I would second the endorsement, and there is Annika performing same.....uh...nevermind.

It is WONDERFUL to have consensus. So rare in life. Clearly, I know which book I need to get. Thank you all!

I may be mistaken, but I think the last time I heard Goodwin mention her Lincoln book on Imus she said it was still at least a couple of years away from being published. Presidential historian (I think that's offically part of his name now) Michael Beschloss is at work on a Lincoln book also.

I don't think there truly is a "James Dean - Mutant King" equivalent for Lincoln, but I remember a book a friend recommended to me when we were both 10 -- "The Unknown Lincoln." A lot of stuff about the assasination conspiracy in the later chapters.

For such an accomplished man, Lincoln had such a sad life ... like Sam Clemens.