Burlingame v. Thomas on New Salem

[Joe Di Cola]

Rob,

As you know I also consider Thomas's bio to be the best one-volume life of Lincoln that is out there. I really liked Michael Burlingame's 2-volume biography. In many ways, his presentation made me feel like I was an eye-witness to the events. It is because of his graphic representation of locales and events, and his use of quotations that make it so for me. My only reservation with Burlingame is that I think he was too harsh on Thomas Lincoln and that he "herndonized" Mary Lincoln.

What I like about Thomas's New Salem work is his mention of the other residents of New Salem and where they ended up (where that is known). Also, his discussion at the end of the reconstruction of the village.

However, to all of those on this site interested in life on the frontier in Illinois in the 1830s, get a copy of Robert Mazrim's
THE SANGAMO FRONTIER: HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY IN THE SHADOW OF LINCOLN (University of Chicago Press). You, too, Rob.

Keep on writing, Rob!

Joe