The Physical Lincoln [Hardcover]

John G. Sotos (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 098181932X | ISBN-13: 978-0981819327 | Publication Date: August 23, 2008

This groundbreaking book offers a solution to one of the most enduring mysteries in American history: What made Abraham Lincoln so tall, thin, and less than attractive? What gave him his long limbs, large feet, high voice, odd lips, sluggish bowels, and astonishing joint flexibility? Why, in his last months, was he so haggard that editorials in major newspapers implored him to take a vacation? The never-before-proposed solution points to Lincoln's DNA and the rare genetic disorder called MEN2B. In addition to producing Lincoln's remarkable body shape, MEN2B gave him a sad-looking face that, for more than 150 years, has been consistently misinterpreted as depression. It tragically took his mother and three of his sons at early ages (Eddie, Willie, and Tad), and it was killing Lincoln in his last years. The Physical Lincoln upends the myth of a physically vibrant President, showing that, had he not been shot, Lincoln would have died from advanced cancer in less than a year, the result of MEN2B. Written in clear, non-technical language for the general reader, and using more than 180 illustrations, The Physical Lincoln offers fundamental new insights into Lincoln, and is the perfect book to stimulate a young person's interest in science and medicine. See www.physical-lincoln.com for more information.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Mt. Vernon Book Systems (August 23, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 098181932X
• ISBN-13: 978-0981819327
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #635,909 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 A Fascinating Hypothesis, January 10, 2009

By 

Jack Petersen (West Des Moines, IA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Physical Lincoln (Hardcover)

The author's hypothesis that Abraham Lincoln was suffering from a genetic disorder, MEN2B, is a fascinating read. The author is a medical techincal advisor for the television series House, MD. Reading this book feels like reading an episode of this series, only on a historical figure. Until such time as the author's hypothesis is tested and proved or disproved I will never read another biography of Abraham Lincoln without thinking about this book.

If you are interested in Abraham Lincoln, you will find reading this book well worth your time.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lincoln's health, April 29, 2009

By 

C. D. Cohron "chetdc" (Madison, MS United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Physical Lincoln (Hardcover)

Lincoln stays in the news...they have a new DNA test that will give a better picture of his health problems! If you enjoy history, then you will enjoy this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough, scientific, well-written, October 29, 2008

By 

B. McAdams (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Physical Lincoln (Hardcover)

A very thoughtful and thorough book on Lincoln from the perspective of his physiology, well-written and surprisingly easy to absorb given the extensive detail, evidence and data. If you're a fan of presidents or specifically of one of our best, I suspect you'll probably enjoy how the author uncovers (through exhaustive research) Lincoln's physical frailties. It's not a light literary romp(I definitely looked up a few words and had to read sections over to make sure I grasped them), but it was totally worth the investment!