by Thomas Flagel
Guilford, CT: Stackpole, 2021. Pp. x, 310.
Illus., chron., notes, biblio. $19.95 paper. ISBN: 081173966X
Aspects of Lincoln’s Life and Work
Prof. Thomas R. Flagel (Columbia State C. C., Tennessee), works with the Civil War Trust and the National Park Service, and is the author of numerous articles as well as, among others, The History Buff’s Guide to the Civil War, Battle Briefings: Gettysburg, and War, Memory, and the 1913 Gettysburg Reunion.
In this volume Flagel offers buffs the opportunity to make their own conclusions about Abraham Lincoln, presenting lists about him, his influence on the nation and its people, and our memory of the man. Flagel’s 25 chapters are grouped into three parts: "The Private Lincoln," " The Public Lincoln," and " Lincoln’s Death and Legacy."
Some idea of the breadth of these lists can be gained from the titles of several of the chapters:
- · "Homes and Jobs"
- · "Mentors, Friends, and Allies"
- · "Books and Readings"
- · "Legal Cases"
- · "Acts as an Illinois State Representative and U.S. Congressman"
- · "Best and Worst Days as President"
- · "Favorite Sanctuaries in Washington, DC
- · "Monuments, Memorials, and Historic Sites"
- · "Greatest Speeches and Addresses"
Flagel does well in putting Lincoln's decisions, experiences, and relationships into perspective. There are many examples in which something in Lincoln’s life may seem insignificant, yet proves to be of surprising importance. An excellent example is that while we think of Lincoln in terms of his years as President (1861-1865), he was a practicing attorney for 25 years. In addition, Flagel points out that while Lincoln was a friendly person, he actually had few close friends.
Each chapter and list includes information about the standards used in the several rankings. The lists are chronological within their chapter, so we can see how some things changed over time. Readers will find some lists are measurable, while others are subjective. An added bonus is that Flagel includes an analysis of several of Lincoln’s law cases, including eyewitness accounts, biographies, and newspaper reporting, as well as a look Lincoln’s decision making process, his word usage, and his speeches.
Lincoln in Lists is a terrific book for anyone who enjoys Abraham Lincoln and desires to learn a little more. It's a fast read, and kept my interest page after page.
Even as I recommend Lincoln in Lists, I so enjoyed his approach in it that I’m looking forward to Flagel’s next book.
Our Reviewer: David Marshall has been a high school American history teacher in the Miami-Dade School district for more than three decades. A life-long Civil War enthusiast, David is president of the Miami Civil War Round Table Book Club. In addition to numerous reviews in Civil War News and other publications, he has given presentations to Civil War Round Tables on Joshua Chamberlain, Ulysses S. Grant, Abraham Lincoln, the Battle of Gettysburg, and the common soldier. His previous reviews here include, Navigating Liberty: Black Refugees and Antislavery Reformers in the Civil War South, Gettysburg In Color, Vol 1, "The Bullets Flew Like Hail", John Brown's Raid, Searching For Irvin McDowell, A House Built by Slaves, They Came Only To Die, General Grant and the Verdict of History, Gettysburg In Color, Vol 2, Man of Fire, To the Last Extremity, Hood's Defeat Near Fox's Gap, "If We Are Striking for Pennsylvania", Vol. 2, Outwitting Forrest, All That Can Be Expected, Force of a Cyclone, Lincoln and Native Americans, and Detour to Disaster.
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Note: Lincoln in Lists is also available in e-editions.
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