Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years (1).

Carl Sandburg. 1626. New York: Dell Publishing Co., Inc. 1960.

Why read it? Portrays vividly the developing thoughts of young Lincoln. Plenty of anecdotes, humor and thoughtful consideration of the dilemmas of his time.

Sample quotes and ideas:

“Was he thinking of the Kentucky father whose two sons died in battle, one in Union blue, the other in Confederate gray, the father inscribing over their double grave, ‘God knows which was right.’ ” p. 12. ……….

“As a nation, we began by declaring, ‘All men are created equal, except Negroes.’ ” p. 14. ……….

“…I shall prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense to loving liberty.” p. 14.

“Lincoln stands for decency, honest dealing, plain talk, and funny stories.” p. 15. ……….

“Supposing all could be told, it would take a far longer time to tell it than was taken to enact it in live.” p. 18. ……….

Gamaliel Bradford: “He [Lincoln] still smiles and remains impenetrable.” p. 19.

Brazilian Ambassador Joaquin Nabuco: “But whether the spirit of authority, or that of freedom increases, Lincoln’s legend will ever appear more luminous in the amalgamation of centuries, because he supremely incarnated both those spirits.” p. 19. ……….

Lincoln: “The things I want to know are in books; my best friend is the man who’ll git me a book I ain’t read.” p. 37. ……….

“It seemed that Abe made books tell him more than they told other people.” p. 38.

To be continued.