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lotusmeristem555's review against another edition
5.0
Another excellently written book in this series. This time with more actual historical characters than fictional ones (only three fictional characters).
I have to admit, I don't know too much about the American civil war beyond what I read about it in Gone With The Wind. And what a difference it is between the two books! Not just the north/south issue, but the personal/political aspect. For example - I had no idea the north took such a long time to start being successful!!
One more note I have to make - Vidal wrote this in the 80s so most historical sources portrayed Mary Todd Lincoln as The Hellcat. Newer research had a more humane attitude towards her, and I highly recommend listening to or reading the transcripts of the two History Chicks podcast episodes about her to get some sense of perspective. Also, just listen to this podcast - it's awesome!
I have to admit, I don't know too much about the American civil war beyond what I read about it in Gone With The Wind. And what a difference it is between the two books! Not just the north/south issue, but the personal/political aspect. For example - I had no idea the north took such a long time to start being successful!!
One more note I have to make - Vidal wrote this in the 80s so most historical sources portrayed Mary Todd Lincoln as The Hellcat. Newer research had a more humane attitude towards her, and I highly recommend listening to or reading the transcripts of the two History Chicks podcast episodes about her to get some sense of perspective. Also, just listen to this podcast - it's awesome!
jennifer_carroll's review against another edition
4.0
Vidal makes Lincoln human: a politician by trade and a definitive leader by circumstance. An excellent read to mark the 200th anniversary of Old Abe's birth.
hardboogiemag's review against another edition
funny
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.25
reverenddave's review against another edition
5.0
Arguably the best historical fiction book every written beating out even notables like Shaara's Killer Angels. Hell this is probably one of the top 5 books on the Civil War period. (Along with Shelby Foote's epic three volume opus, McPherson's Battle Cry of Freedom, and the aforementioned Killer Angels)
If you have the slightest interest in history, the Civil War, Lincoln or even just a beautifully constructed story of politics in a time of war read it. Meticulously researched and exquisitely put together this book is epic
If you have the slightest interest in history, the Civil War, Lincoln or even just a beautifully constructed story of politics in a time of war read it. Meticulously researched and exquisitely put together this book is epic
jayrothermel's review against another edition
5.0
The strength of this novel (well, one of them) is its accomodation to the reader. Vidal begins slowly. The fast stuff comes later: the throng of characters big and small, the pages teeming with action and event.
Vidal makes sure his characters only understand and explain their understanding according to their lives as real historical figures. Something his scholar-squirrel critics don't get about historical novelists of this caliber.
Vidal makes sure his characters only understand and explain their understanding according to their lives as real historical figures. Something his scholar-squirrel critics don't get about historical novelists of this caliber.
pkrez's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent novelization of Doris Kearns Goodwin's "Team of Rivals"!
Gore Vidal wrote 7 novels in his Narratives of Empire series, chronicling various points in history of the American Empire. "Lincoln" published in 1984 was the 4th written, but comes 2nd in the chronological order of history.
This is the 3rd 'narratives' novel I've read of Vidal's. It was different than the other 2. Whereas "Burr" was a first-person account of fictional character Charles Schermerhorn Schuyler, and his reading of old journals and reminiscences of Aaron Burr; and "1876" is the recording of Schuler's own journal from that year; "Lincoln" is told in the 3rd person.
An omnipresent narrator takes the reader into every 'room where it happens' from Lincoln arriving in Washington ahead of his first inauguration to him laying in state as mourners pay their respects. The reader gets to hear every important conversation, argument, debate, and speech and gets into the minds and thoughts of the most important people of the time.
While I certainly enjoyed the humor and perspective of narrator Schuyler (especially in "1876"), I really liked the 3rd person perspective in Lincoln, just because there was so much to learn and enjoy.
And I was able to enjoy it all the more, because I had some idea of what occurred and who these people were already, because several years ago I read the excellent "Team of Rivals: the Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln" by Doris Kearns Goodwin (2005).
It really was an amazing historical period when the country was literally torn apart and at war with itself. And there were great debates and battles, truly inspiring leadership, and much drama and intrigue.
"Lincoln" is a long book (over 650 pages) and it took me a long time to read, but it covered the gamut: from the politics, to Lincoln's personal relationships and family, to the war and battles, and had some great secessionist characters too.
Of course, if anyone knows much of anything about history, the end is already spoiled for you, but that doesn't detract from all the build up to the final shot.
Sadly, there isn't as much humor as in "1876", but getting to know Lincoln as a person certainly makes up for it. And while "Lincoln" does include a few brothel scenes (and makes the claim that a slang term for that profession derived from Civil War General Joseph 'Fighting Joe' Hooker) this novel is much cleaner than others by Vidal.
For anyone bored by textbook history, but would like to learn more while being mostly entertained, then I highly recommend "Lincoln". Also great for the history lovers and Lincoln lovers as well.
Oh, a final beef I might attach here: The novel "Lincoln" often talks about meetings and exchanges in the White House happening in either Lincoln's office or the Cabinet Room. But in reality, the cabinet met in Lincoln's office. There was no separate room designated for cabinet meetings.
Gore Vidal wrote 7 novels in his Narratives of Empire series, chronicling various points in history of the American Empire. "Lincoln" published in 1984 was the 4th written, but comes 2nd in the chronological order of history.
This is the 3rd 'narratives' novel I've read of Vidal's. It was different than the other 2. Whereas "Burr" was a first-person account of fictional character Charles Schermerhorn Schuyler, and his reading of old journals and reminiscences of Aaron Burr; and "1876" is the recording of Schuler's own journal from that year; "Lincoln" is told in the 3rd person.
An omnipresent narrator takes the reader into every 'room where it happens' from Lincoln arriving in Washington ahead of his first inauguration to him laying in state as mourners pay their respects. The reader gets to hear every important conversation, argument, debate, and speech and gets into the minds and thoughts of the most important people of the time.
While I certainly enjoyed the humor and perspective of narrator Schuyler (especially in "1876"), I really liked the 3rd person perspective in Lincoln, just because there was so much to learn and enjoy.
And I was able to enjoy it all the more, because I had some idea of what occurred and who these people were already, because several years ago I read the excellent "Team of Rivals: the Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln" by Doris Kearns Goodwin (2005).
It really was an amazing historical period when the country was literally torn apart and at war with itself. And there were great debates and battles, truly inspiring leadership, and much drama and intrigue.
"Lincoln" is a long book (over 650 pages) and it took me a long time to read, but it covered the gamut: from the politics, to Lincoln's personal relationships and family, to the war and battles, and had some great secessionist characters too.
Of course, if anyone knows much of anything about history, the end is already spoiled for you, but that doesn't detract from all the build up to the final shot.
Sadly, there isn't as much humor as in "1876", but getting to know Lincoln as a person certainly makes up for it. And while "Lincoln" does include a few brothel scenes (and makes the claim that a slang term for that profession derived from Civil War General Joseph 'Fighting Joe' Hooker) this novel is much cleaner than others by Vidal.
For anyone bored by textbook history, but would like to learn more while being mostly entertained, then I highly recommend "Lincoln". Also great for the history lovers and Lincoln lovers as well.
Oh, a final beef I might attach here: The novel "Lincoln" often talks about meetings and exchanges in the White House happening in either Lincoln's office or the Cabinet Room. But in reality, the cabinet met in Lincoln's office. There was no separate room designated for cabinet meetings.
teejayniu's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to finish this book, but I didn't. I read over half of this tome and struggled to keep going. I think it is beautifully rich in detail, but the narrative is so slow and lacking in depth. It hops around so much and loses focus often. I'm usually a fan of historical fiction, but this Vidal just didn't do it for me on this one.
stevendedalus's review against another edition
4.0
A meticulously researched book that throws you deep into the politicking around the civil war and brings historical characters to true life.
Vidal chooses to distance himself from Lincoln, showing the President through the reflections of a cast of secondary characters. Lincoln remains the central enigma of the novel, just as he does in American history.
The Vidal imprint is here, with the deliberate deconstruction of American myths and a vivid sense of time and place. And the closing page sums up Lincoln's historical footprint better than anything I've read.
Still, the impenetrability of Lincoln, though I understand the reason for it, frustrated me. If only because of its contrast to Vidal's rollicking Burr.
But no other book will give you a better sense of what was at stake during the civil war, nor the terrible costs of keeping the Union together.
Vidal chooses to distance himself from Lincoln, showing the President through the reflections of a cast of secondary characters. Lincoln remains the central enigma of the novel, just as he does in American history.
The Vidal imprint is here, with the deliberate deconstruction of American myths and a vivid sense of time and place. And the closing page sums up Lincoln's historical footprint better than anything I've read.
Still, the impenetrability of Lincoln, though I understand the reason for it, frustrated me. If only because of its contrast to Vidal's rollicking Burr.
But no other book will give you a better sense of what was at stake during the civil war, nor the terrible costs of keeping the Union together.
esmathteacher's review
The book itself is well written and interesting! The pace is super slow and thus I would put it down, forget what i had read and have to reread things again....