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Land of Lincoln: Adventures in Abe's America Audiobook
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(3.05) - 255 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Before he grew up and became one of Washington's most respected reporters and editors, Andrew Ferguson was, of all things, a Lincoln buff. Like so many sons of Illinois before him, he hung photos of Abe on his bedroom wall, memorized the Gettysburg Address, and read himself to sleep at night with the Second Inaugural or the "Letter to Mrs. Bixby."
Ferguson eventually outgrew his obsession. But decades later, his latent buffdom was reignited by a curious headline in a local newspaper: Lincoln Statue Stirs Outrage in Richmond. "Lincoln?" thought Ferguson. "Outrage? I felt the first stirrings of the fatal question, the question that, once raised, never lets go: Huh?"
In Land of Lincoln, Ferguson embarks on a curiosity-fueled coast-to-coast journey through contemporary Lincoln Nation, encountering everything from hatred to adoration to opportunism and all manner of reaction in between. He attends a national conference of Lincoln impersonators in Indiana; seeks out the premier collectors of Lincoln memorabilia from California to Rhode Island; attends a Dale Carnegie-inspired leadership conference based on Lincoln's "management style"; drags his family across the three-state-long and now defunct Lincoln Heritage Trail; and even manages to hold one of five original copies of the Gettysburg Address. Along the way he weaves in enough history to hook readers of presidential biographies and popular histories while providing the engaging voice and style of the best narrative journalism.
Ultimately, Land of Lincoln is an entertaining, unexpected, and big-hearted celebration of Lincoln and his enduring influence on the country he helped create.
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"The author seems condescending at times, but the book is fascinating because of all the different ways the author's found to explore our nation's (and our world's) relationship with Abraham Lincoln. It drags a little occasionally, but, to me, it was worth it to learn so many assorted facts and to hear a few grand stories along the way."
— Goodies4 (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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A splendid book...so wonderful I am sick with envy.
— The New York Post -
“Writing with humor, insight, imagination, and warmth, Andy Ferguson has accomplished a most unusual feat—he gives us a fresh look at Abraham Lincoln and his impact on our country.”
— Doris Kearns Goodwin, Pulitzer Prize–winning author -
“Wow! This is a fascinating book. With his usual humor and insight, but also with real poignancy, Ferguson looks at how we see ourselves as a nation by exploring the way we choose to see Lincoln. The result is brilliant and amusing, but also deeply moving.”
— Walter Isaacson, New York Times bestselling author of The Innovators -
“A hilarious, offbeat tour of Lincoln shrines, statues, cabins and museums…The Land of Lincoln turns out to be a big place: bigger than Illinois, bigger even than the United States, stranger than anyone would have thought. Mr. Ferguson maps it expertly, with an understated Midwestern sense of humor that Lincoln, master of the funny story, would have been the first to appreciate.”
— New York Times
Land of Lincoln Listener Reviews
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" This was a quick read, and very similar to "Confederates in the Attic" -- but it fell short of that great memoir. Some chapters much more interesting than others. "
— Matt, 1/31/2014 -
" After failing to build a Disney-style park at Bull Run, the ding-dongs made their move on the Lincoln museum in Springfield, complete with animatronics and dumbed-down history. Hysterical look at Lincoln memorials and museums and their development, including a "Lincoln on Leadership" workshop for business people, a convention of Lincoln impersonators and a bunch of Neo-Confederate Lincoln haters. "
— Margaret, 1/29/2014 -
" No surprise: I'm reading this. It's light and funny, a good look at Lincoln scholarship (lite) and Lincoln's legacy. So far I recommend it! "
— Susan, 1/16/2014 -
" This is one of the best Lincoln books I've read in a long time, and certainly the most fun. Whether you are a certified Lincoln buff, or if you just wonder why there are so many of us, this book will make you laugh, maybe even cry once or twice, and definitely will help you find your "inner Abe." "
— Scott, 1/13/2014 -
" I was astonished while reading this that there are people in America that don't love Abraham Lincoln! "
— Randy, 1/7/2014 -
" This book would have made a good magazine article. I liked learning more of Abraham Lincoln's early life and his connection with Illinois, but it was generally cheesy and full of filler. "
— Nancy, 12/12/2013 -
" I enjoyed this book. It isn't a biography of Lincoln, though I learned some about him. It is more about how we perceive Lincoln today. It was interesting and funny. "
— kenpen, 7/7/2013 -
" An interesting first-person perspective on following Lincoln's lifetime, through the author's adventures on family vacation. "
— Nick, 6/22/2013 -
" Entertaining and well done. Highly recommended, except for his rather simplistic take on social history. "
— Nancy, 6/12/2013 -
" Oh my, the history tidbits were nice but the commentary on the damaging effect of "social historians" was beyond irritating. God forbid someone explore other areas of history beyond the winner's viewpoint. "
— Lewis, 3/20/2013 -
" It was worth the time that I did listen - and I didn't listen to the whole thing. It was not iconoclastic work per se. It does deal with more than we normally encounter like the origins of the source material for many works. "
— Chip, 3/19/2013 -
" This was a fascinating view of how Lincoln is revered (or not!) today in America's culture. "
— Trudy, 12/10/2011 -
" We actual listened to the audio tape of this book on our long drive from Maine to Indiana. It was wonderfully done and very enlightening. it will enable me to have a broader background and appreciation when we go to the new Lincoln exhibit in February at the Indiana State Museum. "
— Psburt44, 11/10/2011 -
" Quirky and quick read about Lincoln and his effect on modern culture. If you're interested in history or Lincoln or dad humor, pick it up. "
— Chris, 3/8/2011 -
" Ferguson's personal search for the essence of Lincoln. A different kind of approach to Illinois' most famous citizen. I learned much about Abe and his worshippers and detractors while enjoying many good laughs. "
— Wmhof, 2/12/2011 -
" Read this book in 2006. Entertaining. "
— Louise, 12/30/2010 -
" An interesting first-person perspective on following Lincoln's lifetime, through the author's adventures on family vacation. "
— Nick, 5/5/2010 -
" Quirky and quick read about Lincoln and his effect on modern culture. If you're interested in history or Lincoln or dad humor, pick it up. "
— Chris, 3/27/2010 -
" We actual listened to the audio tape of this book on our long drive from Maine to Indiana. It was wonderfully done and very enlightening. it will enable me to have a broader background and appreciation when we go to the new Lincoln exhibit in February at the Indiana State Museum. "
— Psburt44, 2/7/2010 -
" Oh my, the history tidbits were nice but the commentary on the damaging effect of "social historians" was beyond irritating. God forbid someone explore other areas of history beyond the winner's viewpoint. "
— Laura, 1/2/2010 -
" It never really reaches the heights of the first chapter, and the guy inserts his own opinions in place of facts in some places, but it's still pretty essential for any Lincoln buff...or Springfield resident. "
— Craig, 11/19/2009 -
" Ferguson's personal search for the essence of Lincoln. A different kind of approach to Illinois' most famous citizen. I learned much about Abe and his worshippers and detractors while enjoying many good laughs. "
— Wmhof, 7/28/2009 -
" I was astonished while reading this that there are people in America that don't love Abraham Lincoln! "
— Randy, 7/22/2009
About Andrew Ferguson
Andrew Ferguson is a senior editor at the Weekly Standard and has written for the New Yorker, the New Republic, the Washington Post, and many other national publications. He lives in Washington, DC.
About Patrick Lawlor
Patrick Lawlor, an award-winning narrator, is also an accomplished stage actor, director, and combat choreographer. He has worked extensively off Broadway and has been an actor and stuntman in both film and television. He has been an Audie Award finalist multiple times and has garnered several AudioFile Earphones Awards, a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award, and many starred audio reviews from Library Journal and Kirkus Reviews.