10 Lincoln/Civil War books that most influenced your thinking.

[LincolnMan]

(03-02-2019 08:36 PM)Rob Wick Wrote:  Bill,

I wanted to wait until I finished an article before taking the time to comment here. My problem is that I can't come up with only ten books. Instead, I've come up with authors who have strongly influenced my thinking (many have written multiple books that I find compelling).

10. John Y. Simon
9. William Herndon and Jesse Weik
8. Don Fehrenbacher
7. Richard Current
6. Benjamin Thomas
5. Paul Angle
4. Carl Sandburg
3. Ruth Painter Randall
2. James G. Randall
1. Ida M. Tarbell

Of course I put Tarbell first, given the focus of my research, but given the amount of work she did over her life on Lincoln, among other topics, her importance is underestimated. I didn't rank Sandburg as high, because while his six-volume biography is magnificent, and his single-volume distillation is a masterpiece, his other work on Lincoln is too uneven in terms of how it moved the story ahead. Although John Y. Simon hasn't written monographs, per se, his work on Ann Rutledge and editorship of the Grant papers, places him on my list. Finally, I listed Ruth and James Randall separate. Both are deserving of individual note. I would also have to mention the work of Benjamin Quarles, John Hope Franklin and Carter Woodson, although with only ten spots, it's hard to put 30 names on there.

Best
Rob

Great list Rob. I know it is very difficult for us to narrow it to only 10.

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(03-03-2019 05:03 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  Bill, I decided I am unable to do this as one book stands above all others, and I find it impossible to list 2-10 among the 400+ Lincoln-related books I own. Without the effect this one book had on me, I am not sure I would own any more than a handful of Lincoln books as I am not generally a huge reader.

1. Twenty Days

Twenty Days blew me away back in the 1960s. It had just the right combination of photos and text, and for me, it was uniquely priceless, and it motivated me to learn more about our 16th President and his family. Prior to Twenty Days I think I was a typical Illinoisan who knew a little more about Lincoln than the average American because I think Illinois schools spend more time on him than the other states. Twenty Days stoked my interest in Lincoln like nothing else could. That one book truly changed my life.

Great choice Roger! As you know, Twenty Days is on my list as well! As far as books pertaining specifically to the assassination- that book would be number 1 on my list.