Lincoln as i knew him by Harold Holzer (57-104)

Summary:
On page 59 the chapter begins with the story of Henry Clay Whitney, who was Abraham Lincoln's biographer. He tells the reader about day to day Lincoln's life inside the White House and outside of it. What is interesting, and a little bit hard to get along with is that in the beginning of each chapter there is a short(about 2 paragraphs long) summary of a person who would talk about Lincoln as He knew him. That is where the name of the book comes from. However i would like to comment that each of those introductions, seems like the whole new biography will begin, however they a quite the same. Another interesting note is how people evaluate lincoln when they first saw him and there is a lot about it written in the book. Henry Clay Whitney says that when he first saw Abraham he first of all noticed his attire and physical habits. Each of the authors trying to put a lot about themselves and also what they did to Lincoln when he was alive, or what good things they tell everyone about him when he tragically died. First 57 pages told more about his growing up and becoming and educated person. He read a lot of books, studied a lot, became a lawyer. However starting, from there his colleagues and students talk about Lincoln using all the knowledge. They talk about Abraham Lincoln and great colleague, great problem solver, great story teller and great secret keeper, Instead of talking about Abe a good kid who used to read a lot and be quite without complains and with respect to adults. That shift from regular people voices, to politicians who knew how to write and read and were well educated keeps reader from getting bored. There is not much unusual facts to tell about Lincoln because from person to person opinions about him, did not change a lot. Overall pretty interesting to hear quite similar things from people of different status and position in the society. All of them are good and that proves that Abraham Lincoln was great human, politician, friend, and colleague. Rich poor, educated and not all agreed with that, however after his death. From pages 83 to 104 there are stories and memories from journalists and humorists about Lincoln and it is interesting to read what stories and jokes about politics were popular between people and what were news about those people like.

Quote:
Mr. Lincoln had no method, system, or order in his exterior affairs; he had no library, no clerk, no stenographer; no common-place book, no index rerum, no diary" (Holzer 63-64).


Reaction:
Again i wanted to tell my reaction about the quote. My personal opinion is that usually people trying to create so special methods, systems, affairs and all that routine, common things, just to be more than they are. Here is another quote: " In social life, characteristics, tastes and habits, he was the most simple, guileless, and unsophisticated man that it was possible to be. Here is the place where i want to criticize hard, and not only the people who wrote their memories about Abraham Lincoln, but to all people who write about celebrities and public personas. Why should he be different in tastes or habits from everyone else? Yes he was a President of United States of America... Yes in those times presidents had more freedom that they have it right now... However only these factors should force Abraham Lincoln to eat truffles from golden plates and drink best wine in the world from platinum cups?! No! Pretty much people wrote a lot information like that, and its understandable and I would say there is a reason for a regular person who became a president of America to still be a regular person but of different status. Based on last comment from Mr. Doreian I wrote more about my own thoughts and feelings about text. However it is still enjoyable book that goes deep into life of Abraham Lincoln, however there is the fact that his life was not that much different of life of other smart and honest politicians of that time.