Lincoln, Lincoln

What library doesn't keep track of historical anniversaries or "what happened on this day in history" as a tool for bringing parts of its collections to the attention of readers? The year ahead offers a typical panoply of significant dates, including the centennial of Ford's introduction of the Model T and the births of two Johnson presidents—Lyndon (1908) and Andrew (1808)—as well as of the president of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, a few months ahead of Andrew.

Next year also marks the 150th anniversary of the debates between citizen Abraham Lincoln and Illinois senator Stephen A. Douglas, whom Lincoln wished to unseat. The process brought Lincoln to popular attention and imbued him with a renewed zeal for politics.

Two books below do hearken specifically to 1858, but many publishers—2008 is a leap year after all—are leaping right to the 2009 bicentennial of Lincoln's birth, already showing that his 200th will additionally weigh down library shelves nationwide. Next year, another Lincoln roundup seems likely. For now, take note of these books.

Placing the Civil War President in the context of his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, and her many siblings and half-siblings, Berry (history, Univ. of Georgia) shows the Todds as metaphor for the nation: ripped asunder, never to be the same. His demystification of Lincoln's depression is acute, albeit his use of Joshua Shenk (Lincoln's Melancholy) as a source expands on an error relating to Shakespeare. Lincoln knew the Bard well, which makes such errors by Lincoln scholars a pity. Berry covers new ground on the Todds with brio—and with a rather rushed finish. For public libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 7/07.]

Carnahan (lecturer, law, George Washington Univ.) reminds serious readers what was entailed in Lincoln's recourse to the law of war in order to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. He explains the context and limits of Lincoln's implementation and why it was upheld by the courts. Appendixes offer the relevant documents. A worthy addition to academic and large public libraries, especially given current attention to presidential use of war powers.

"The Civil War began in April 1861," begins Chadwick (The General and Martha Washington), who then goes on to say that "this book explores the events and personalities of that single year." Huh? His remark to the contrary, this work is about the year in the title. Chadwick has a penchant for anachronisms, e.g., referring to Douglas and Lincoln in 1858 as "The Prince and the Pauper" 23 years before Twain coined the title, referring to Buchanan's "White House" when it was still commonly called (on its own stationery no less) the "Executive Mansion," and calling Buchanan "paranoid." The book aims to bring the sectional turmoils of 1858 to light for general readers, but be forewarned. An optional purchase.

Three masterly essays (the title is an estimation of Lincoln from Du Bois himself) based on the author's lectures. With graceful and efficient expertise, Fredrickson (history, emeritus, Stanford Univ.) deconstructs our rigid castings of Lincoln as either savior or racist. This exceptional book has that rare ability to make the less informed feel wise and the wise feel all the more discerning and learned. For all libraries.

They were running for the U.S. Senate, with the "little giant" Douglas the incumbent. Lincoln started following him around the state, speaking after him on the campaign trail, so Douglas agreed that they should "canvass the state together." This most accessible of Guelzo's Lincoln books (e.g., Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation) is a rowsing narrative, academically researched, embracingly informative, and deeply thoughful. The legislature picked Douglas. This book is the real winner.

Paul Kendrick (assisant director, Harlem Children's Zone) and his father, Stephen (senior minister, First Church in Boston), carefully study two men who confronted the powerful elites of their era, Lincoln able to become an insider and Douglass exerting power in the very face of exclusion. Each man's views moderated, Douglass coming to admire Lincoln after initial disappointment and Lincoln coming to recognize the need for emancipation. Public and academic libaries with James Oakes's estimable The Radical and the Republican should consider this good study an optional addition.

It's not easy to find Lincoln territory where good, open grazing land remains, but McGinty has found it. Combining expertise as an attorney and historian with a style that welcomes readers, he gives us Lincoln the lawyer-president who worked with a Supreme Court to which he ultimately appointed five members. The Civil War brought forth numerous legal conflicts, and McGinty shows that the personalities and issues involved were as vital and fascinating as those we are more familiar with on the military side. Highly recommended.

In this meticulous and thoughtful book, the author (scholar in ethics & institutions, Miller Ctr. of Public Affairs, Univ. of Virginia; Lincoln's Virtues) seeks and defines the occupant of the Executive Mansion who became a leader and a thinker of qualities perhaps never to be seen there again. An absorbing book; for public and academic libraries.

The Lincoln Legal Papers project first issued a CD-ROM (Univ. of Illinois Press) of the entire archive of Lincoln's legal career (1836–61), a facsimile edition of over 100,000 pieces of paper. Now the University of Virginia Press gives us phase two: a print edition (available only as a set) of about 50 cases—both criminal and civil—that attorney Lincoln worked on. The documents here are transcribed, rather than in facsimile, and are accompanied by authoritative essays placing the cases in context and explaining their significance both for Lincoln and for today's readers. Biographical notes, a glossary, and a cumulative index add to the utility. Essential for all academic libraries.

Within chronological chapters, this book indeed consists of questions and answers. Unfortunately, the author's heavy-handed casualness ("Billy Herndon") and ripostes (e.g., turning down one of his own questions by responding "Next question please") will turn off many earnest Lincoln readers. Optional for public libraries.

For those wanting answers about Lincoln, this is a fine volume. Leaving humor to the fun front cover, the contents are at once deferential to those seeking basic information and probing about deeper layers of the president's life. A solid offering displaying expert research; for public and undergraduate libraries.

Journalist Waugh sketches Lincoln from his parentage up to the attack on Fort Sumpter. His easy and good-humored style will appeal to many readers. He does not forsake arguably unreliable narrators, such as Lincoln cousin Dennis Hanks and while some scholars might object, others will see the magic in keeping such voices with us in following Lincoln's journey. Recommended for public and undergraduate libraries.