Lincoln (English)

In his fascinating and learned study LINCOLN: THE BIOGRAPHY OF A WRITER, Fred Kaplan examines Lincoln's many influences--the Bible, Aesop, Byron, and Shakespeare--as well as the variety of genres in which he wrote--love letters, poems, legal briefs, and of course his many speeches, including the Gettysburg Address. Kaplan discovers much humor and inventiveness in Lincoln's writing, which includes a speech on agricultural improvements written in free verse. ( Who knew?) Above all, it was Lincoln's world-class literary gifts that helped shape the tremendous changes occurring in his presidency. And, unlike today's politicos, Lincoln wrote his own speeches. minimize