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Lincoln's Gettysburg Address: Echoes of the Bible and Book of Common Prayer

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In a country where 80% of its citizens between the third grade and Medicare are fans of NASCAR or rap music, is there a place for a book on the Gettysburg Address and the King James Bible? Let's hope so. But such a project may have tough going. Fifty percent of high school diploma holders never read another book after graduation day, eighty percent of Sunday pulpiteers no longer read from the King James Bible and the name Shakespeare is best known for fishing tackle. Many coaches after a lost game say "It's time to get back to the basics." Maybe it's time for our culture to do the same. A.E. Elmore's book is as good a place as any to start. The author claims that the Gettysburg Address is history's greatest speech, Shakespeare is history's greatest writer and the King James Bible is God's greatest gift to mankind. Bold assertion. Like many decorated Southern writers Mr. Elmore began his college days at Swanee but he may be the first of this esteemed fraternity to give such deference to The Good Book. His efforts to find relationships among such important subjects certainly imply unusual creativity and his 130,000 words reflect profound study. There are too many well made points to discuss in a simple book review but it must be confirmed as to the importance of his blend of historical facts and his demonstrations of the grandeur of the English language. Is it history or literature? Both. Is it art or science? Both. Is it worth reading? Yes. John Herndon Townsend, Memphis, Tn.[descendant of William Herndon, the law partner of Abraham Lincoln].

This book provides lots of information and insight about Linclon and other educated people who lived in his day. In every chapter, it serves to remind us that the thinking and language of educated people today has become very profane by comparison.