Lincoln Books

Written in the era when "popular history" was not a disdainful
condemnation, this witty and erudite book displays both fine scholarship and excellent writing. Edwin M. Stanton, an oft-reviled figure of the Civil War era (yet an indispensable pillar of the Union war effort and the Lincoln administration), is brought to life and understanding in this fine example of the art of the biographer. The book will broaden the understanding of even hard-core Civil War fans. Now if only some publisher will reprint this biography of the quintessential policy wonk....

First of all, this book is NOT by Edwin M. Stanton, who died in 1869. The authors are Benjamin P. Thomas, the distinguished historian who was also the author of Abraham Lincoln: A Biography, which I read with great appreciation on 22 Jan 1993 and which was published in 1952 and which is generally considered the best one-volume biography of Lincoln at least until David Donald's superlative biography of Lincoln (read by me Feb 4, 1996) came along in 1995 and Harold M. Hyman, the co-author of Equal Justice Under Law: Constitutional Development 1835-1875 (read by me with much approval on 10 July 1982). I found Stanton a good book, tho some of the parts, where the Civil War and the problems with finding a general are reviewed, did not happen to excite me. But there can be little doubt that Stanton did yeoman service during the War and that he played a big role in the North's successful effort. The dramatic events during the dispute between Andrew Johnson and the Radical Republicans in 1866-1868 are detailed well in this book, though very laudatory to Stanton. While I agree with much of the viewpoint of the Radical Republicans I have never felt that the impeachment effort should have succeeded, and I thought the biography of Andrew Johnson by Hans L. Trefousse (which I greatly enjoyed when I read it 31 July 1999)reinforced that feeling for me--and Trefousse is certainly no apologist for the forces against the Radical Republicans. In fact, the course Stanton pursued during the impeachment fight, when he refused to obey the orders of the president of the United States, his commander-in-chief, grate on one accustomed to the current view of presidential power. The book is well-footnoted, with the footnotes where they belong (at the bottom of each page, so one can see whether they need to be read or whether they are merely source notes), but there is, sadly, no bibliography. But as far as I know this is the best biography of Stanton, a man of great interest to any student of the 1860s.

"The Star-Bearer: A Creation Myth from Ancient Egypt," by Dianne Hofmeyr and Jude Daly, is a visually stunning book. The text tells the story of the ancient deities of Egypt: Atum, the creator; Shu, the god of air; Nut, the goddess of the sky; and others. The text is accompanied by colorful, elegant illustrations that capture an epic feel. This is a good book for parents and teachers who are interested in introducing children to the creation myths of different cultures.

Academics have never been thrilled with Stephen Vincent Benet (1898-1943), whose polished but accessible writings--notably his magazine short stories--went straight to the heart of Everyman and Everywoman.
Everyman remembers; and in the wake of the tragedy of 9/11 this neglected master seems to have more to say than ever--about his country and the world, their history and their destiny.
One academic who is ready to listen is David Garrett Izzo. He appears to have thought about doing a collection of essays on Benet as long ago as 1998, when he played a prominent role in a Benet centenary observance in the Bethlehem, PA area. The resulting book, in which Izzo shares the editing responsibility with Lincoln Konkle, should do something at last to stir up interest in this once-famous writer on the campus. The essays cover many aspects of Benet's output and career--from the famous Civil War narrative "John Brown's Body" to his historical and science fiction stories, such as "The Devil and Daniel Webster" and "By The Waters of Babylon." But to this reviewer three of the essays are paramount in interest. They are Izzo's own piece on Benet and his literary colleageus at Yale; Thomas Carr Benet's remembrance of his father, and Patricia McAndrew's paper on the marriage of Stephen and Rosemary Benet.

This is a perfect take along for a meal after a visit to the picasso museum in france. It can be used as shown, or kids can use the stickers to make their own picasso cubist and blue period collages. My six year old loved it.

This a great resource for using in school with younger children. I introduced them to Paul Klee and used this sticker book to help them create their own "Klee". It was fun for them and a fun way to learn about Shapes and Klee. I will use it again in following years.

While this book is written primarily for a British audience, it has served as an inspiration for me in my California garden. This one is worth adding to your horticultural library!

Don't let the size of this book mislead you. It is only 91 pages but it is packed with Biblical light and truth on prayer. Some of the chapter titles will help any reader quickly realise how unordinary this book is. An essential element in prayer is the reality of Christ in prayer. Austin Phelps has this to say on p.85-86 "Christ as the atoning one, must be a reality to the soul, or prayer cannot rise to its full growth as an experience of blessedness in the friendship of God." The chapter on fragmentary prayer has many valuable insights on this often overlooked aspect of prayer. While the author does not give a complete formal definition of prayer( I wish he had),we do get bits and pieces of the essence of what prayer is. On p.62 we get one of these bits,"Prayer,as we have observed,is an act of friendship also.It is intercourse;an act of trust,of hope,of love-all prompting to interchange between the soul and an infinite,spiritual friend."(That infinte being is the God of heaven and earth).This is not your common book book on prayer,it is uncommon in its style,observations and value.

Written and illustrated by Amanda Hall, The Stolen Sun: A Story Of Native Alaska is a picturebook retelling of an ancient Native American fable about Raven who created the world with a song of life, yet became angry and sad when people's violence and greed drowned out his song. Disappointed in the people's hearts, he took the sun out of the sky and hid it, leaving people in darkness. It was up to Raven's son Little Darkness to bring light and Raven's Song back to the world, in this highly enjoyable, enthusiastically recommended picturebook tale brought to life with stunning, stylized artwork and vivid color.

I purchased this and the story of George Washington for my special education preschool class. They were both great! Of course the heaviness of a board book always adds to the longevity of them, but additionally the illustrations were clear yet lovely. You can easily see his log cabin which helps to do the follow up lesson of a log cabin! I was very pleased with both books.