Archive for September, 2007
« Previous EntriesBook Reviews
Friday, September 28th, 2007I am working on a couple of book reviews. The Madness of Mary Lincoln by Jason Emerson is one of them. It is an important book. I hope to post it sometime within the next week or so.
A "Virtual Book Signing" with Gordon C. Rhea
Thursday, September 27th, 2007If you haven’t checked out a “virtual book signing,” be sure to tune in tonight at 6 pm Central over on http://www.virtualbooksigning.net/
Gordon C. Rhea will discuss his new book, In the Footsteps of Grant and Lee: The Wilderness Through Cold Harbor. The book features photographs by Chris E. Heisley. For those of you unfamiliar [...]
Hellcat or Helpmate?
Wednesday, September 26th, 2007Many thanks to Itchy over on the Discussion Board for calling my attention to an article in last week’s issue of Newsweek.
“Hellcat or Helpmate: The Mary Todd Lincoln Saga” is worth taking a look at.
At the beginning of the article, we learn that Sally Field will play Mrs. Lincoln in Stephen [...]
"Better to be Thought a Fool…"
Tuesday, September 25th, 2007Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke at Columbia University yesterday.
When he was asked about Amnesty International’s reports that homosexuals were executed in Iran, Ahmadinejad dismissed the allegation. “In Iran, we don’t have homosexuals like in your country…I don’t know who’s told you that we have this,” he said.
The crowd [...]
The Most Misunderstood Document in American History
Monday, September 24th, 2007The preliminary Emancipation Proclamation turned 145 years old last Saturday.
In my view, the proclamation remains one of the most misunderstood documents in American history. Hardly a month goes by without someone asking me via email or in conversation about Lincoln’s role in ending slavery. Perhaps I’m naïve, but I usually take [...]
October 4: "Lincoln and the Law"
Friday, September 21st, 2007If you are interested in Abraham Lincoln’s law career, I suggest a trip to Springfield on October 4.
The 2007 Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series at the University of Illinois in Springfield is titled “Lincoln and the Law.” The program starts at 7 pm in Brookens Auditorium, which is on the lower level of [...]
Frederick Douglass IV
Thursday, September 20th, 2007Frederick Douglass is one of my favorite characters in American history. At the age of 20, he escaped slavery and went on to become a famed abolitionist, editor, orator, and author.
Initially, Douglass was persuaded by radicals like William Lloyd Garrison, who believed that the United States Constitution was little more than a [...]
The Lincoln Circuit Riders
Wednesday, September 19th, 2007I got a kick out of this story and thought I’d pass it along to you.
The Lincoln Circuit Riders are a group of motorcycle-riding lawyers from Illinois and Indiana who, if you can believe it, enjoy tracing Lincoln’s travels on the Eighth Judicial Circuit each year!
According to the story:
“As Lincoln Rode—So will [...]
Fugitive Slave Act of 1850
Tuesday, September 18th, 2007What happened when a slave fled his master and entered a free state or territory?
The Articles of Confederation of the New England Confederation of 1643 contained a provision calling for the return of fugitive slaves.
Article VI of the the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 stated “that any person escaping into the same [...]
The Bloodiest Day in American History
Monday, September 17th, 2007Today marks the 145th anniversary of the bloodiest day in American history.
Robert E. Lee crossed the Potomac and entered Maryland with high hopes. If he was successful, he thought the state might join the Confederacy. A major victory might even convince the European powers to formally recognize the Confederate government. [...]