What are you reading now?

[LincolnMan]

Ok everyone: I have just started a massive listening undertaking: I've started Carl Sandburg's 6 Volume biography of Lincoln on audiobook. It is all contained on 3 mp3 CD's. I don't know how long it will take- but I'll hang in there.

[LincolnToddFan]

Have fun Bill, Sandburg is an amazing writer, if a little "flowery" at times. I read "The Prairie Years" for the first time in the 90's, and again a few years ago. I've also read his biography of Mary Todd Lincoln.

[Gene C]

Bill, have you've heard about 4-5 hours, please let us know how you like the reader.

[LincolnMan]

Good morning Gene: I'm about 15 minutes into to it- and haven't made up my mind about the reader yet- which may not be a good sign. Yes, I will let everyone know. Having read Sandburg's Lincoln many times--it's a different experience having it read aloud to you. It's a good experience.

[Eva Elisabeth]

Bill, which works better for you - reading or listening? I have two audiobooks, but I'm a visual person. Just listening has almost zero memory effect on me, it's better though when I watch (and listen) someone reading/presenting. Do you remember what you heard as well as what you read?

[LincolnMan]

I find the disadvantage of listening is that you can't take a minute to digest the material like when you are reading. I find myself losing track of the story as my mind tries to contemplate things being said.

[Eva Elisabeth]

Thanks Bill, I think exactly that's my problem, too!

[Angela]

I am currently reading an amazing book that was recommended to me during my recent visit to the Lincoln Cottage in Washington D.C., titled “Lincoln for President” by Bruce Chadwick.

It is an excellent biography of the 1860 presidential election and how it propelled Abraham Lincoln from one time Congressman and Illinois lawyer to the highest office in the land.
The author introduces an amazing range of influential political figures and meticulously lists poll numbers – I love that.

And it reads like really well written thriller, too.

One thing that had me thinking was the way the William H. Seward was portrayed – while I knew that he set himself up for the presidency in 1864, I never knew that he had such a detailed plan on how to win it. While I understand why he never sought it in 64’, after reading this book and how interested he truly was in this office, I wondered why he did not go for a nomination after Johnson’s term was up.

It could not just have been his age, could it. All the theories I have come up with are incredibly naïve – does anybody have more information on what Seward’s thoughts were and why he went in such a completely different direction in his later life, retiring from public service?

[Linda Anderson]

(08-25-2014 03:16 PM)Angela Wrote:  I am currently reading an amazing book that was recommended to me during my recent visit to the Lincoln Cottage in Washington D.C., titled “Lincoln for President” by Bruce Chadwick.

It is an excellent biography of the 1860 presidential election and how it propelled Abraham Lincoln from one time Congressman and Illinois lawyer to the highest office in the land.
The author introduces an amazing range of influential political figures and meticulously lists poll numbers – I love that.

And it reads like really well written thriller, too.

One thing that had me thinking was the way the William H. Seward was portrayed – while I knew that he set himself up for the presidency in 1864, I never knew that he had such a detailed plan on how to win it. While I understand why he never sought it in 64’, after reading this book and how interested he truly was in this office, I wondered why he did not go for a nomination after Johnson’s term was up.

It could not just have been his age, could it. All the theories I have come up with are incredibly naïve – does anybody have more information on what Seward’s thoughts were and why he went in such a completely different direction in his later life, retiring from public service?

I don't think it was his age, either, Angela. He loved being in Washington. I found the following in Seward: Lincoln's Indispensable Man by Walter Stahr.

"Stanton's suspension led to speculation about Seward's fate. The Chicago Tribune claimed that 'the report that Secretary Seward intends to resign his seat in the cabinet and retire to the shades of private life at Auburn, is received with the utmost indifference by the country.' Seward was no longer an important political figure, the Tribune said, because he had with his steady support of Johnson "effectually committed political suicide.'...Johnson realized that Seward's prospects were slight, for he had 'lost all strength in his own state,' so that he was 'rather a dead carcass."

[Angela]

Linda, thank you so much! I remember reading this and thought it odd for Seward to just let go of his ambition, but I never followed up on that thought. So, basically, Seward let go of all his ambition after supporting Johnson's lenient treatment of the south. Where did that "to hell with it" attitude come from in a political animal like Seward?

[Gene C]

With what Seward had been through, I can easily understand why he would like to retire and travel with Olive Risley (here's an interesting story). His wife has passed away, Fanny has died.
Seward most likely would not be able to get the nomination anyway, Grant was in the drivers seat to win in 68'. Seward had stayed in Johnson's cabinet up till 1868, and Grant didn't want him to be in his cabinet. And by 1868, I'm not so sure Seward wanted the presidency that much anymore.
Just my opinoin on all of this.

[Linda Anderson]

(08-25-2014 04:20 PM)Angela Wrote:  Linda, thank you so much! I remember reading this and thought it odd for Seward to just let go of his ambition, but I never followed up on that thought. So, basically, Seward let go of all his ambition after supporting Johnson's lenient treatment of the south. Where did that "to hell with it" attitude come from in a political animal like Seward?

I think he was being realistic plus people remarked on how much he had aged since Powell's attack. Fanny's death hit him hard, too.

Still, he had enough energy to go around the world after he retired so he may have actually considered staying in office if President-elect Grant had asked him to. Grant didn't.

[Angela]

(08-25-2014 04:42 PM)Gene C Wrote:  With what Seward had been through, I can easily understand why he would like to retire and travel with Olive Risley (here's an interesting story). His wife has passed away, Fanny has died.
Seward most likely would not be able to get the nomination anyway, Grant was in the drivers seat to win in 68'. Seward had stayed in Johnson's cabinet up till 1868, and Grant didn't want him to be in his cabinet. And by 1868, I'm not so sure Seward wanted the presidency that much anymore.
Just my opinoin on all of this.

Gene, thank you - this makes a lot of sense. I wondered why his ambition had lessened and he was in a prime spot as secretary of state during the Johnson administration.

[LincolnToddFan]

I agree with Gene. I believe the lingering trauma of the assassination attempt, combined with the deaths of his wife and his beloved Fanny kind of took the spark out of Seward.

I need to hunt down the source of a statement I once read that he made where he said he should have died with Lincoln, because his work had basically been done at that point.

[Angela]

(08-26-2014 06:45 PM)LincolnToddFan Wrote:  I agree with Gene. I believe the lingering trauma of the assassination attempt, combined with the deaths of his wife and his beloved Fanny kind of took the spark out of Seward.

I need to hunt down the source of a statement I once read that he made where he said he should have died with Lincoln, because his work had basically been done at that point.

That quote you mentioned - I think I remember this as well. I cannot remember where I read it but it was also/included Seward mentioning that he never envied Lincoln for anything but the way he died?
It was back in the day when I did not take notes, yet I never found it again.