Good Read for History Buffs and Lincoln Fans

S

sparrow

Cathlete
I've calmed down enough from my "noise" rant to mention a book I just finished and absolutely loved: Team of Rivals: the Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.

This is a looooong but compelling read, not just about Lincoln, but about the four men in his life that began as his politcal adversaries but eventually became vital members of his cabinet. I wouldn't call this a "beach" read :D but if you are looking for an intense, long term, non-fiction read (and really, who amongst us isn't? :p) I'd hand you this.

Sparrow

'Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage
 
Thanks for the recommendation, Sparrow. This is the type of nonfiction that I like to read. :D

Off to Amazon now...
 
I bought that for the husband of a very good friend of mine (well, he is a very good friend of mine, too), who is in the Reserves and stationed in Iraq. He's an attorney and a Lincoln fan and said it was fantastic. I won't read it until he is home safe. :(

Marie

Edited to fix my freakin' spelling mistakes! Sheesh!
 
>Edited to fix my freakin' spelling mistakes! Sheesh!

Marie, good thoughts for your friend. :)

I just saw all my own spelling mistakes in the original post. ACK! Typing too fast, as usual. :D

'Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage
 
Sparrow, our friendly forum librarian:) . This is right up my alley and I've added it to my wish list. I just picked up another book you recommended awhile back, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. I can't wait to dig into it!
 
Cool! I love history - my dream job would be to work in the Smithonian in Wash., DC! Or one of the Presidential libraries.

"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." Mark Twain ;-)
 
I wanted to second this nomination. This was really a wonderful book, and I learned so much about the President and his life. What truly amazed me was that time and time again he never internalized attacks made upon him by others, and in many cases utilized those same indiduals in his cabinet if he felt it was for the good of the country. Definately something to admire!
 
>Sparrow, our friendly forum librarian:) . This is right up my
>alley and I've added it to my wish list. I just picked up
>another book you recommended awhile back, Snow Flower and the
>Secret Fan. I can't wait to dig into it!
>
>

Michele I hope you like Snowflower. I know you are not hugely into fiction but it has so much history and history of women in it, I think you'll enjoy :)

Sparrow

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage
 
>Cool! I love history - my dream job would be to work in the
>Smithonian in Wash., DC! Or one of the Presidential
>libraries.
>
Me too! Other people have "rock star" fantasties, I dream about being a librarian! :+

Sparrow

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage
 
Another cool job combining rock stars and history would be to work at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame which is about an hour's drive from where I live!

"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." Mark Twain ;-)
 
"Me too! Other people have "rock star" fantasties, I dream
>about being a librarian! :+"
>
>Sparrow

Hi Sparrow,

I'm reading Sarah Vowell's Assassination Vacation (which is partly about Lincoln) and she says that her "rock star" dream is to be a docent at a historical site. I couldn't help but think of that when I read your post!

I have actually considered studying library science, but I don't think it would live up to my unrealistic daydreams. In the dream, no one is on cell phones, and no one sneaks in food. Pretty much, I just get to read all the greatest books first and get paid for it.

Tonya
 
The Library of Congress! Wouldn't that be fun? With all the cool archives and such?!!

"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." Mark Twain ;-)
 
>I have actually considered studying library science, but I
>don't think it would live up to my unrealistic daydreams. In
>the dream, no one is on cell phones, and no one sneaks in
>food. Pretty much, I just get to read all the greatest books
>first and get paid for it.
>
>Tonya

LOL, Tonya. Sounds exactly like my library fantasy. :D I haven't heard of the book you mentioned. I'll have to check it out.

Sparrow

'Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage
 
I haven't heard of the book you mentioned. I'll have to check
>it out.
>
>Sparrow
>
It might be too silly for you, if you like serious history. She doesn't make things up, but she focuses a lot on the entertaining aspects of history (the assassin of Garfield was a member of a New York sex cult which later gave up on that and began making pottery. It's the company called Oneida!). She's really fun to read. This book is about Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley.

Thanks for sharing your recommendation!

Tonya
 
>
> I haven't heard of the book you mentioned. I'll have to
>check
>>it out.
>>
>>Sparrow
>>
>It might be too silly for you, if you like serious history.
>She doesn't make things up, but she focuses a lot on the
>entertaining aspects of history (the assassin of Garfield was
>a member of a New York sex cult which later gave up on that
>and began making pottery. It's the company called Oneida!).
>She's really fun to read. This book is about Lincoln,
>Garfield, and McKinley.
>
>Thanks for sharing your recommendation!
>
>Tonya

You're welcome! I do like serious history but I also like fun stuff. I'll definitely check yours out.

Sparrow

'Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage
 
>I have actually considered studying library science, but I don't think >it would live up to my unrealistic daydreams. In the dream, no one is >on cell phones, and no one sneaks in food. Pretty much, I just get to >read all the greatest books first and get paid for it.

As a library director I can tell you that there are a wide variety of possibilities in the field (not just public libraries) and it is true that you end up with little time for pleasure reading (although I do get to do regular reviews for literary publications). You end up mostly reading professional literature and computer code. You also get to put with b.s. stereotypes i.e. "You have to have a master's degree to shelve books?!" Flippin' Idiots!
 
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