Recollected Words of Abraham Lincoln (Hardcover)

by Don Fehrenbacher (Editor), Virginia Fehrenbacher (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
In the late 19th century, the good Parsi?a tiny elite of 40,000 living in Bombay?embraced charity, truthfulness, racial purity, progressive attitudes, and British cultural values. In this anthropological study, Luhrmann (anthropology, Univ. of California, San Diego) traces the Parsi origins in Persia, their adherence to Zoroastrianism, and their rise to social and cultural prominence under British colonial rule. By the 1920s and 1930s, however, the good Parsi had entered a stage of severe self-criticism after sensing the loss of moral integrity, manliness, and genetic strength. Luhrmann concludes that the growing weakness was due to excessive intermarriage and extensive Parsi charity, which destroyed the inner drive to succeed. In consequence came the rise of the crisis of personal identity in a postcolonial world. Luhrmann has produced a superb analysis of Parsi history, anthropology, and psychology. For academic collections.?John F. Riddick, Central Michigan Univ. Lib., Mt. Pleasant
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Respected editors of Lincolniana present the verifiable sayings of Lincoln outside of his writings and speeches. Most excerpts were put to paper soon after the conversation, and hence they are more reliable than the effusion of remembered conversations inspired by the shock of the assassination. Yet the latter category can ring truthfully, and the Fehrenbachers clearly explain the historiographical bases (such as double sourcing or internal consistency) that the expert researcher would use to evaluate any particular statement. The amateur browser, too, will find this to be an informative volume of how Lincoln was perceived by contemporaries; especially, given his virtual apotheosis, the hostility with which many--not just rebels--regarded him. Lincoln's chats as remembered by his supporters lend fascinating insight into his political acumen. There are many hooks on which readers can hang their particular curiosities (such as the origin of the story about sending Grant's whiskey to Union generals), so that this scholarly edition, though expensive, should find an appreciative reader in most libraries. Gilbert Taylor

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 648 pages
• Publisher: Stanford University Press; 1 edition (November 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804726361
• ISBN-13: 978-0804726368
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.4 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,347,327 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource, January 26, 2004

By	R. BULL "a reader" (Kansas City, MO United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I can not imagine how many hours of checking and rechecking it took for the Fehrenbachers to compile this book. They offer not only the words of Lincoln as recalled by others, but also their opinions on the probable accuracy of the person who recalled the words. I found quotes I had never heard and I noted that some quite famous "quotes" were debunked. This is as close to the "real words" of Lincoln we are able to get outside his writings and newspaper reports of his speeches. Of course, written words, carefully crafted speeches and spontaneous spoken words are all different. Thanks to the editors for massive amounts of careful work.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Recollected Words of Abraham Lincoln, December 28, 2008

By	Irving D. Moy (Wallingford, CT USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a must for any serious student or common layperson with an interest in Abraham Lincoln. There are so many sayings that are attributed and quoted to substantiate some issue that it is wise to see if Lincoln did say them. This book is the ultimate source reference. Although expensive at $80.00 it is worth the investment. This book can not be found in bookstores and is an order item. Amazon gives you both new and used copies to select from so you do have an option in terms of the amount you want to spend.

5.0 out of 5 stars What did Lincoln really say?, August 24, 2007

By	Richard Lawrence Miller, Lincoln author (Kansas City MO USA) - See all my reviews

This important reference book evaluates the dependability of quotations attributed to Lincoln. They are listed alphabetically by name of the person who claimed to hear Lincoln. A copious index to this nearly 600-page book gives further assistance in locating alleged quotations. The book was compiled by two Lincoln experts and is authoritative as any Lincoln book can be.