Following in Lincoln's Footsteps: A Complete Annotated Reference to Hundreds of Historical Sites Visited by Abraham Lincoln (Illinois) [Hardcover]

Ralph Gary (Author)

Book Description

Series: Illinois | Publication Date: October 10, 2001

From attorney Lincoln's law offices to the presidential Oval Office, from the address in Springfield, Illinois, where he made up with Mary Todd after a premarital spat, to the window he jumped out of to avoid a quorum call in the Illinois General Assembly, to the spot where he heard the news of Robert E. Lee's surrender—this unprecedented volume takes readers there. It also answers dozens of lingering questions about Lincoln's life as it sifts for the truth among the many disputes that continue to rage among scholars. A longtime member of notable Lincoln societies, Ralph Gary has scoured county courthouse records and the writings of Lincoln's contemporaries as well as thousands of other books written on Lincoln's life and work to compile the most complete and up-to-date guide to Lincoln historical sites ever published. Included in the book are detailed maps showing Lincoln's travels, so that students of the Civil War and Lincoln buffs can retrace history by walking in the footsteps of one of America's most popular presidents. "By far the most comprehensive and useful guide ... well researched, beautifully written, and a much-needed reference."—Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank J. Williams, Chair, The Lincoln Forum "[For] every Lincoln enthusiast ...a map of Lincoln's path through life ... a delightful review of the way he lived it."—Harold Holzer, author of Dear Mr. Lincoln

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"Ralph Gary's guide to all of the sites relating to Abraham Lincoln is by far the most comprehensive and useful guide for those who study Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. I know this to be true as I have used it in preparing for a tour of Lincoln sites in Illinois. It is well-researched, beautifully written, and a much needed reference work in the field of Lincoln studies." --Rhode Island Supreme Court Justice Frank J. Williams, Chair, The Lincoln Forum

"Far more than a mere guidebook to historic sites, Ralph Gary's exhaustively researched volume is a captivating biography of Lincoln, taking him from Kentucky to Indiana to Illinois to Washington and vividly reminding readers of all the towns and cities he visited, even briefly, along the way. Engagingly written and well organized, the book belongs in the glove compartment or bookshelf of every Lincoln enthusiast who wants either a map of Lincoln's path through life, or a delightful review of the way he lived it." --Harold Holzer, Co-Chair, U. S. Lincoln Bicentennial Commision and auhtor of DEAR MR. LINCOLN

About the Author

RALPH GARY is an attorney, a charter member of the Lincoln Forum, a member of the Abraham Lincoln Association and the Surratt Society. He lives near Forth Worth, Texas.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 468 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books; annotated edition edition (October 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786709413
• ISBN-13: 978-0786709410
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,555,343 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lincoln Was Here, May 28, 2006

By 

Bomojaz (South Central PA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Following in Lincoln's Footsteps: A Complete Annotated Reference to Hundreds of Historical Sites Visited by Abraham Lincoln (Paperback)

Here's an interesting and hefty travel book that lists and annotates sites from all over the country associated with Abraham Lincoln and/or his family in some way. Arranged by city or town within each state, Gary describes places where Lincoln made speeches, stayed over night or for extended periods, went shopping, attended concerts and theatre events, resided, went to school, and a myriad of other events too numerous to list. Gary also lists Civil War sites that played important roles during his presidency. The number of sites detailed is impressive (many hundreds easily), and fortunately there's an excellent index listing them all. With all that, I noticed one site here in NJ that he overlooked: the burial spot near Allentown of Lincoln's great-great grandparents' three-year-old child, Deborah Lincoln. Granted, it's not a major site by any means, but neither are a lot of the other places in Gary's book, and there's a roadside monument marking it to boot. Lincoln aficionados should find this book fascinating, especially as they plot out all the excursions they'd like to take from Vermont to Louisiana checking out the sites. But even if you don't leave the house the book is loaded with interesting tidbits regarding Lincoln, his life and legacy. Recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More,more,more......, March 19, 2005

By 

Karen C. Fitch "K. C. ( avid reader)" (Loganville, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Following in Lincoln's Footsteps: A Complete Annotated Reference to Hundreds of Historical Sites Visited by Abraham Lincoln (Illinois) (Paperback)

You know, as I travel around I am always wondering about the history of an area and, "could this be more than just a field?"

That crumbling old house along a major route, "did something important to history occur inside?"

Ralph Gary must have spent thousands of hours researching and traveling around areas to discover all of the "who, what, when, where and whys" of Abraham Lincoln and his environment.

This book has just the information the traveler needs to understand and "see" history unfold before his eyes.

That old field suddenly comes to life as a thunderous battlefield with rain pouring down and famous phrases echoing loudly in the viewer's ears.

We see the fury of the instant as a theatre turns into a haunted moment in time; and everyone who visits Ford's Theatre feels the morbid moment of Booth's derringer into the President's unassuming head as he gently cups his wife's hand in his - and, in that moment, history changed.

Thank you so much Mr. Gary. Please, please, research other historical figures and bring us that "sight" that can only be had from reading about the moments in time that have become our
history!

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice to have around, February 3, 2010

By 

L. Campbell (Land of Lincoln) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Following in Lincoln's Footsteps: A Complete Annotated Reference to Hundreds of Historical Sites Visited by Abraham Lincoln (Illinois) (Paperback)

This is an interesting book that I'll carry in the car as we travel. Never know when we'll come upon one of the places where Lincoln had visited.