Why read Lincoln?

Book cover of Lincoln

Book description

Lincoln is the cornerstone of Gore Vidal’s fictional American chronicle, which includes Burr; 1876; Washington, D.C.; Empire; and Hollywood. It opens early on a frozen winter morning in 1861, when President-elect Abraham Lincoln slips into Washington, flanked by two bodyguards. The future president is in disguise, for there is talk…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Lincoln as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Meredith Sue Willis

Author

I love this book for its combination of serious political speculation, action, and character study. I also love seeing cynical, louche ol' Gore Vidal admiring and loving Lincoln for having at once high ideals and a brilliant sense of politics.

Lincoln was, as Vidal presents him, completely underrated by most of his peers. There is a lot of action and even more politics and history presented with high entertainment value. An intellectually stimulating book that brings out all the best of Vidal's cleverness—but also his honest admiration for those who hold the line against true evil.

From Meredith's 3 favorite reads in 2023.