In a superb historical novel...
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In a superb historical novel concerning the Lincoln years, Gore Vidal helps the reader to understand the emotions that gripped the nation in that critical period. Titled Lincoln: A Novel, the story reveals an intimate view of how people had to make their private decisions concerning the man who in great anguish had to steer a difficult course in the most crucial moment of our nation's history. From the moment Lincoln descended upon Washington secretly and in disguise, rivals had plotted against his life. In those divisive and gruelling days Lincoln grieved as the citizenry deliberately set the stage for what had to evolve into a civil war. Lincoln decried the fact that brother would be fighting against brother. A solitary figure, who enjoyed very little sympathy from the members of his own cabinet, let alone his enemies both north and south, Lincoln bore the burden of the nation with firm resolve. For him the salvation of the nation was at stake. Lincoln's lonely struggle, which he laid on the lap of God, reminds us of another lonely Abraham who prayed for the salvation of a city. -- Huxhold
