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Lincoln's Melancholy: How Depression Challenged a President and Fueled His Greatness Paperback – October 2, 2006

by Joshua Wolf Shenk (Author)

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A thoughtful, nuanced portrait of Abraham Lincoln that finds his legendary political strengths rooted in his most personal struggles.

A New York Times Notable Book of the Year

Recipient of an Abraham Lincoln Institute Book Award and a forWard Award from the National Mental Health Association

Giving shape to the deep depression that pervaded the sixteenth president's adult life, Joshua Wolf Shenk's Lincoln's Melancholy reveals how this illness influenced both the president's character and his leadership.

Lincoln forged a hard path toward mental health from the time he was a young man. Shenk draws from historical record, interviews with Lincoln scholars, and contemporary research on depression to understand the nature of his unhappiness. In the process, he discovers that the President's coping strategies — among them, a rich sense of humor and a tendency toward quiet reflection — ultimately helped him to lead the nation through its greatest turmoil.

"A shapely and insightful exegesis of the Civil War president's inner life...Beautiful."—Andrew Solomon, New York Times bestselling author of The Noonday Demon

Print length

368 pages
Language

English
Publisher

HarperOne
Publication date

October 2, 2006
Dimensions

8.25 x 0.91 x 5.5 inches
ISBN-10

9780618773442
ISBN-13

978-0618773442
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Lincoln's Melancholy is an extraordinary story, for the depth of its scholarship and the lure of its style." --Mike Wallace, cohost of CBS's "60 Minutes"

"Lincoln not only coped with his depression, he harnessed it. Joshua Wolf Shenk [explains how] masterfully and memorably." --Walter Isaacson, president and CEO of the Aspen Institute and author of Benjamin Franklin: An American Life

"A profoundly human and psychologically important examination of the melancholy that so pervaded Lincoln's life....Remarkable." --Kay Redfield Jamison, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and author of An Unquiet Mind

"This is sensitive history, with important implications for the present." Publishers Weekly

"A significant contribution to the study of Lincoln and his battle with depression that will resonate with contemporary Americans. . .inspirational." Kirkus Reviews, Starred

"Compelling...An estimable contribution to the Lincoln literature." Booklist, ALA

"[Shenk argues] with uncommon common sense, a rare understanding of historical context, and a close reading of the primary sources." Library Journal Starred

"Intellectually energetic. . .By treating Lincoln from this angle, Shenk does gain a dimension that not all Lincoln books achieve." --William Lee Miller The Washington Post

"It contains some extremely beautiful prose and fine political rhetoric and leaves one feeling close to Lincoln, a considerable accomplishment." --Andrew Solomon New York Magazine

"A fresh, fascinating, provocative pschohistory." --Sanford D. Horwitt The San Francisco Chronicle —

About the Author

JOSHUA WOLF SHENK is a curator, essayist, and the author of Lincoln's Melancholy, a New York Times Notable Book. A contributor to The Atlantic, Harper's, The New Yorker, and other publications, he directs the Arts in Mind series on creativity and serves on the general council of The Moth. He lives in Los Angeles.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0618773444
Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperOne; 6. Aufl. ed. edition (October 2, 2006)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780618773442
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0618773442
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.25 x 0.91 x 5.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #62,031 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #93 in American Civil War Biographies (Books)
- #136 in American Revolution Biographies (Books)
- #200 in U.S. Civil War History

Customer Reviews:
544 ratings

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Steven J. Drahozal

The best book on Lincoln I have read - informative and inspiring

Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2018

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I have read biographies of Lincoln and generally stay away from books focusing on one aspect of his life. This examination of his depression or melancholy, however, seemed interesting. True to its subtitle, the book discusses how depression was a challenge to Lincoln throughout his life. This is not based just on anecdotal evidence, but draws upon psychological sources to suggest possible diagnosis. The author understands that any such diagnosis is flawed, but discusses the likelihood of Lincoln being chronically depressed.

More than that, the book shows that although he never overcame depression, he was able to find a way through it. This not only brings new insight into Lincoln's greatness, but offers insight for those suffering today. The book addresses the history of depression and how it was treated medically, how it was dealt with in Lincoln's life, as well as viewing Lincoln's depression through what we know now. It's an inspiring and informative book.

26 people found this helpful

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Mary

Excellent writing & most well-rounded biography of Lincoln.

Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2013

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This biography of Lincoln carefully presents facts from historical documents and is appropriately skeptical of previous myths and assumptions while presenting a balanced, honest picture of the whole man. It is also so well-written it moves like a Toni Morrison novel (dare I say?). I write only to second all the 5-star raves. I got the book from the library, but felt compelled to own a copy.

Much of Lincoln's wisdom from his own hand is in this book: "Slavery is founded in the selfishness of man's nature--opposition to it, is his love of justice" (p. 127). But the author does not shy from telling us that Lincoln also told racial jokes and stories (thankfully none are reproduced). We see the arc of Lincoln's feeling that he had a purpose in life and eventually finding his way to that purpose and strength.

Interesting too that what we call "depression" now was not so stigma-filled in his time. AND! We get reproductions of Lincoln's poetry: the stuff he wrote as well as the poems he admired: "Oh why should the spirit of mortal be proud! ... He passeth from life to his rest in the grave."

This is an amazing biography.

11 people found this helpful

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annonymous

The most illuminating view of Lincoln I have read

Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2013

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I've ready many books about Lincoln, and this one is by far the best. It starts slowly with a lot of information about observations and quotes about Lincoln, but his conclusions are extremely enlightening. It reaches deep into the heart of this man even more than reading Lincoln's own writings often do for us. Joshua Shenk has an obvious understanding, perhaps from some personal experience of his own, and has also helped me understand better my own struggles. It is very helpful in understanding the ideas about depression, mental health, and what was considered healthy and acceptable in Lincoln's day. Also, he sheds light on the taboo of any mental/emotional problems of current political figures. Most interesting!

4 people found this helpful

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L. Buttino

The best!

Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2017

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I have read scores of books on Lincoln, but this ranks at the very top for me. It's extremely well-written and well-organized. Mr. Shenk uncovers new information on one of the most widely written about persons in human history. The author also makes connections, superb connections, that I had not seen before. One of the book's treasures is his annotated history on Lincoln scholarship. That alone would be worth the price of the book. I am grateful to have come across it and recommend it without reservation to anyone interested in finding out more about what motivated Lincoln, and to see a fuller unprecedented portrait of him. Lou Buttino, Professor and Former Chair, Film Studies Department, UNC Wilmington, Wilmington, NC.

4 people found this helpful

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Gettysburg Farm

How Lincoln managed his depression so he could contribute to the world

Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2022

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“His melancholy dripped from him as he walked,” wrote Abraham Lincoln’s law partner in Illinois.
His colleague Henry Whitney said, “No element of Mr. Lincoln’s character was so marked, obvious and ingrained as his mysterious and profound melancholy.”
In 1841 Lincoln himself wrote, “I am now the most miserable man living. If what I felt were distributed to the whole human family, there would not be one happy face on the earth. I must die or be better it appears to me.”
Though considered our greatest President, Lincoln was troubled by a lifelong sadness and bouts of major depression. Twice he was on suicide watch by his friends, and for a week he submitted to a physician’s treatment for melancholy: bloodletting and purging to get the “black bile” out of his veins. Lincoln struggled with thoughts of failure and for years refused to carry a knife for fear of what he might do with it.
In a 2005 book by Joshua Wolf Shenk, Lincoln’s Melancholy: How Depression Challenged a President and Fueled his Greatness, the author noted three stages in his illness: Fear, engagement, and transcendence.
During his early years, he was searching for some purpose in living, continuing to question, “Why am I here?” In the second period of engagement with life, he worked diligently to answer that question in the serious, focused way he approached everything. In spite of his deep emotional pain, he tried hard to focus on inner work that led to his developing strategies for how he could change, and to understanding what he must accept and endure.
He did develop successful strategies. His famous use of humor was a product of his constant search for funny stories to raise his spirits. On a more serious note, he read reflections of his own pain in Shakespeare’s tragedies and dramatic poetry, which he also wrote. Lincoln’s favorite gloomy poem was “Oh, why should the spirit of mortal be proud!”
He used reason to develop discipline, to work just for the sake of work. Plodding ahead day by day, he finally found the vital purpose for his life in fighting the expansion of slavery and preserving the Union. He continued to have the challenges of depression but now had a reason to live.
Lincoln was seldom a positive thinker. He accepted that we live in a painful world where imperfect people do their best with mediocre materials. Experienced through his own inner struggle to do just that, he was able to bring our country through the loss and turmoil of Civil War.
Because of his personal anguish, Lincoln understood that the enemy of American democracy is within, saying, “If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.”
His life tells us that with noble goals, reason, humor, and art, we can come through tragic circumstances and contribute to the greater good. (Written for the Gettysburg Times, 1/2022)

3 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Slue

A very different and very important Lincoln book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 19, 2011

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There are literally hundreds of books on Abraham Lincoln. Most of them deal, at least in some small way, with his long bouts with depression. The reason this book is important is that it dives deeper in to his lifelong wrestling match with the disease and helps us to understand not only our different and relatively intolerant reaction to the condition but also helps us see how depression moulded Lincoln in some very important ways. In particular, it shows how battling depression and overcoming its effects gave Lincoln strength he later drew upon to get through the many dark and difficult chapters of his presidency. Without this strength and emotional capability, our country may have been a very different place.

Depression most often effects strong but sensitive types who are suddenly overwhelmed circumstances. That combination of strength and sensitivity (ability to understand the human condition) is important in all leadership roles. It is therefore important for us to understand how depressions plays a role, not only to inform our management of the disease, but also to help us properly understand the qualities of those who suffer and the potential benefits of coming through the experience and emerging out the other side. This is particularly important in a society that views depression as a weakness. In fact, we should look for people with the greatest range of experiences and challenges when choosing our leaders for they have the greatest range of understanding and perspective from which to lead.

6 people found this helpful

Alexander McKay

Another insight into this amazing man

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 21, 2018

Verified Purchase

This is a deep and detailed study of the depression-ridden Old Abe and his struggles to overcome the illness over the years. I found it intriguing.

One person found this helpful

RB

Inspiring and concretely helpful

Reviewed in Canada on May 28, 2013

Verified Purchase

For someone with an academic interest in Lincoln's struggles with what appears to have been depression, this book fills a particular niche with flair and careful research. For someone with a personal interest in the struggle with depression, it is even more: an inspiring account of how Lincoln managed to accomplish so much despite his pain, and indeed how his ways of managing that pain contributed to his excellence. I found it perceptive and very helpful in adopting specific and effective strategies. Informative and very much recommended.

4 people found this helpful

priyadarshi srivastav

Rivetting

Reviewed in India on January 30, 2017

Verified Purchase

I have read this book after I got fascinated with persona of Abraham Lincoln. This book dwells into the emotional life of Lincoln. How he overcome his melancholy to become a legend.

One person found this helpful

Sherrybaby

Page turner

Reviewed in Canada on September 3, 2016

Verified Purchase

If you are a history buff and suffer from depression you will enjoy this book. It inspired me to rise above this depression I have.

2 people found this helpful

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