Lincoln as i knew him by Harold Holzer (1-57)

Summary:
"Lincoln as I Knew Him" is a book that has big amount of authors because it is a collection of biographical information about Abraham Lincoln written by relatives and people who knew him when he was alive. Interesting and a little bit sad detail is that most of those interviews given to reader in the book were taken when president Lincoln was already dead. Following the untimely death of Abraham Lincoln's mother, his father, Thomas remarried. His bride was Sarah Bush Johnston, a widow with three children of her own, "a poor woman". However Lincoln's father was not reach too and almost did not know how to read and could barely write his name. On opposite side Lincoln's stepmother encouraged him to read and study. She was seventy seven years of age when interview was taken. In the text of the interview same quote repeated 3 times "Abe was getting hungry for books, reading everything he could lay his hands on" Lincoln was reading because of Sarah and otherwise he would not become such a great writer. Yes writer! Not everyone know that Lincoln became the greatest writer between American president however he was just regular lawyer. Second person that was interviewed is Lincoln's cousin John Hanks. According to him and Abraham's step mother until Lincoln turned 16 he was quite kid who never complain with anyone and lived in his own quite world of reading and maturing. His father did not prohibit him to read and even more never made Lincoln stop reading even when he needed son's help because he already lived a life without reading and education and it was not happy and great at all. Really close people to Abraham call him in interview Abe others Mr. Lincoln or President. Later book brings us to memories from his son William Wallace Lincoln and his wife Marry Lincoln that he married in November 1842 in Springfield Illinois. Mary tells about how great was Lincoln as a father and husband along with running a presidency. On this point memories from personal and political friends. They seem a little busy and basically tell the same good description of lincoln first as a human and friend and then as a president and great politician. However the great things are quotes about Abraham written on top of all of those memories such as " He had an immense Stock of Common Sense"(Joseph Gillespie) (I wish all politicians can be like that) or "The Tenderest Heart by Joshua Fry Speed. First 60 pages of the book made a great impression and brought me deep inside into feelings of Lincoln surrounding about him as about any great person in this world. It is interesting and I would like to continue reading. Contents great historical content.
Quote: "He listened to the aged - argued with his equals- but played with the children" (Holzer 15)

Reaction:
Defenetely my reaction to a great book was just great. It has huge amount of regular people on Abraham Lincoln also just a regular person. Quote listed above seems like a small description, but I just loved it! Even for adult person there are people on the same thinking level, people smarter and people sillier. Same as equals, aged and children from the quote. Only person like Abraham who can behave himself the right way with the right type of person can rule such a young country with people that came from all around the world! Great beginning... Enjoyable