The Physical Lincoln (Hardcover)

~ John G. Sotos (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #759,956 in Books (See Bestsellers 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 (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A groundbreaking book, March 13, 2009

By	History Fan - See all my reviews

In "The Physical Lincoln", Dr. John Sotos dispels the commonly held belief among medical personnel- that Abraham Lincoln, with his tall stature and gangly appearance, had Marfan's syndrome. Sotos, a distinguished presidential medical historian, as evidenced by his website 'Doctor Zebra', has written a book that can be read and appreciated by lay persons as well as medical professionals. Sotos convincingly presents the case that Lincoln, in fact, suffered from a rare genetic syndrome known as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2b, or MEN2B. His theory is embellished by nearly 200 photographs that provide graphic evidence to convincingly support his hypothesis. In addition, his scholarly research cites over 800 references. Just when one thinks that nothing new can be written about our 16th president, John Sotos has managed to break new ground with this well-written, compelling book. He has managed a truly unique achievement: he has written a scholarly work that can be enjoyed by both and non-medical readers alike, that reads like a page-turning novel. Well done Dr. Sotos!

2 of 2 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 (REAL NAME)

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!