In Lincoln’s hand: his original manuscripts.

Holzer, Harold, Ed. In Lincoln’s hand: his original manuscripts. Bantam see Random, 2009, 195p, 35.00, 9780553807424 all ages

A wonderful collection of Abraham Lincoln’s letters with commentaries from distinguished Americans. A book that will get you as close as you can get to the actual letters. This beautifully illustrated volume of Abraham Lincoln’s letters are a unique and educational opportunity for anyone interested Lincoln’s his writings. A copy of the actual letters, poems, essays, or his written thoughts were copied and included with a typewritten copy along side of it as well as a commentary from a distinguished American. Among those who have written comments include: Sandra Day O’Connor, John Updike, E. L. Doctorow, Toni Morrison, Walter Mosley, Mario Cuomo, and Liam Neeson. The commentaries are very insightful and relevant to Lincoln’s writing.

What the reader receives from this volume is that Abraham Lincoln was truly a wonderful writer and he wrote about anything and everything letting people in into his most inner thoughts. It seems he enjoyed writing and answering letter and we are fortunate that we have this wealth of written collection of a man who’s life was cut short.

The illustrations are very well chosen and give life to the book. For civil war fans this book will be a great addition for school, this book will give children thought about writing and the legacy left behind. This volume can be used at every step of a writing course.
A must have for all library collections. M. Diaz