The Lincoln Enigma: The Changing Faces of an American Icon (Paperback)

~ Gabor Boritt (Editor) "The men sitting around in the room must have felt uneasy-however memorable the occasion..." (more)
Key Phrases: recollected words, black colonization, black emigration, Abraham Lincoln, Mary Lincoln, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

A recent popular poll found Abraham Lincoln remains one of the best-regarded American Presidents. This title, based on papers presented at a Gettysburg College Civil War Institute conference in summer 2000, shows that such interest is still shared by scholars as well. Boritt, the director of the institute and author of numerous works on the conflict, edited this excellent collection of essays by eight of our leading Civil War scholars (David Herbert Donald, William C. Davis, Jean Baker, Douglas Wilson, and others). Topics range from the late President's views on race (and ideas about the formation of an all-black colony) to his love life; the young Lincoln, the married Lincoln, and the strategist Lincoln; biographer Donald even imagines how the Great Emancipator might have run the Confederacy. An epilog by Borrit and Harold Holzer on Lincoln in art is particularly intriguing. The release of this title was designed to coincide with the recent PBS documentary on Abraham and Mary Lincoln. An excellent choice for both public and academic libraries. Daniel Liestman, Kansas State Univ. Libs., Manhattan
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"Contributes richly to Lincoln studies."--London Times Literary Supplement
"Grounded on new archival treasures and state-of-the-art research, edited by the great Lincoln historian Gabor Boritt, The Lincoln Enigma is a rich, absorbing and sometimes startling book, rendered by some of the most distinguished scholars in the Lincoln world."---Michael Beschloss, PBS and NBC commentator, author of The American
"A provocative, thoughtful consideration of...this astonishingly interesting man."--The Washington Post Book World
"Remarkable..."--The Washington Times

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (November 28, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195156269
• ISBN-13: 978-0195156263
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #845,391 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Belonging to the Ages ..., June 6, 2001

By	Toby Joyce (Blanchardstown, Dublin Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lincoln Enigma: The Changing Faces of an American Icon (Hardcover)

"Look at me and I'll tell you without blinkin' this southerner prefers Abraham Lincoln"

goes a rap at the start of this book, and it is aimed at those of like mind, southerner or not.

A warning - half the book consists of illustrations of Lincolniana so that this is one for the specialist. The Lincoln- seeker should read David Donald's excellent biography before opening this book.

That said, does this book tell us anything new about Lincoln? The answer is yes, without being final or definitive. I liked particularly the article on Lincoln and the Constitution, showing that he was not the 'dictator' of Copperhead legend, nor the conscious revolutionary of Garry Wills' 'Lincoln at Gettysburg'. However, did his actions not have revolutionary results?

The article on the Lincoln marriage I felt a bit limited, but also a good corrective to the image of Lincoln the hen-pecked husband trapped in a loveless union. 'Mary, Mary, we are elected!" he cried to his wife on arriving home that great day, showing the essential nature of the partnership between them. However, this essay does not use Mariah Vance's remininscences, though written very much later that the 1850s, which show Mary Todd Lincoln as addicted to paregoric (which contained opium) and subject to alternating fits of drugged lassitiude, and withdrawal-induced sickness. However, even the Vance memoirs (she was the Lincoln's servant) are not entirely negative on Mary Lincoln.

Other essays cover the Lincoln youth, his fascination with death, his status as war leader and finally his image in American art. The enigma is somewhat clarified but somehow the enigma, and the continuing fascination, remains.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Explore the Lincoln behind the image; but all too short, February 4, 2007

By	Stephen J. Snyder "Socratic Gadfly" (Lancaster, Texas United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What were Lincoln's views on death, afterlife and religion? Did he really have a loveless marriage? Would things have been different if he and Jeff Davis had swapped places?

Speculative thought, and some answers, are to be found in this new volume, along with a wealth of perspective of Lincoln in artwork.

The reason I only four-starred this book is that the body copy of text, before the artwork appendices, is only about 160 pages. This book could have used at least 50, if not 100, pages of additional meat on his bones.

AND, this is LINCOLN! It's not like that would have been that hard to do.

4 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First President appear on a Coin....., April 18, 2001

By	denny j Huber (Pittsburgh,PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lincoln Enigma: The Changing Faces of an American Icon (Hardcover)

Attractively produced compilation with highest scholarship.... Boritt directs Lincoln studies at Center,(civil War) Gettysburg site. Has more than 60 pages illustrating portraiture of Lincoln, diverse forms. Mt.Rushmore,& tourist type statues- in NY, Abe greets girl who suggested he grow a beard. An 'abandoned' forlorn 62' statue stands at a closed campground,Charleston,IL. Best source for,trivia/folklore. More of same,short paperback,Gordon Leidner's collection,2001.