Nearly every adult over 50 who went to public schools when history and civics were still widely taught knows stories about Lincoln’s love of learning. As a youth, he walked many miles to borrow a farmer’s grammar, so he could improve his spoken and written English. Books were scarce on the prairie,yet somehow his nose was always in a book. Above all, he valued his Shakespeare and the Bible. If he could not read widely, he truly read deeply.
Imagine how he would have reveled in the book world today – hard backs paperbacks, e-books, used books, and books in every language! And all these readily available. In this run up to the Bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth, hundreds of new books will be published about every aspect of Lincoln’s personal and political life.
“New facts may not be uncovered, but each writer will have a fresh perspective a different twist,” said Julia Keller, cultural critic of The Chicago Tribune in a conversation with Vernon Burton, author of the acclaimed Age of Lincoln. When they met at the Printers’ Row Book Fair, they agreed. The more we read about Lincoln and re-read his magnificent public speeches, the more he keeps giving to us.
Why not feature the newest Lincoln books and authors at the grand Book Fairs in 2009 – in Los Angeles, at Printers’ Row in Chicago, in Miami, in Nashville (Southern Book Fair), in Frankfurt and at the antiquarian books stalls at Hay on Wye!
The ALBC plans to have a major Lincoln presence at most of these Book Fairs. We also want to feature writers in lively conversation with book critics, perhaps film makers, and leading politicians.
Whom should we invite? Share your thoughts. Who should be talking with whom? In 50 years, at the next Lincoln birthday, and accompanying civic celebrations we will still be reading about Lincoln and marveling at his dexterity with language. He will still inspire us and fire our creativity. Is it likely, however, that there will be fewer hard cover books? Will we have succumbed to the economy of e-books? Perhaps.
Posted by David Early at 06/19/2008 11:32:43 AM |
