Each of the stories in this book is short and to the point and usually very funny. The book focuses more on Lincolns political and social wisdom, but I was drawn more to Lincolns wry sense of humor, justice and empathy for his fellow humans. Lincoln was an imperfect man, suffering from severe depression, widely hated and almost isolated in his cause but he had an almost obsessive urge to do the right thing and not the easy thing. This is the reason I admire Lincoln, he grieved for those who lost their lives fighting on both sides of the civil war, saw no difference if you were a confederate or union supporter, as well as his own son and yet had the moral and honesty to continue on for four years, because it was the right thing to do. Reading this work will definitely provide the reader with a good idea of just how bright he was, it also will have you wishing that today's politicians were as upstanding as he was.

I only wish the book were longer.

Lincoln: A Book of Quotations edited by Bob Blaisdell is a compilation of quotations by Abraham Lincoln originally published in 2013 as “Abraham Lincoln’s Wit and Wisdom” also through Dover Publications.


This book of quotations covers everything from “advice to the young” to “slavery”, “storytelling”, and “law and the constitution”. We are even given a look at a bit of Abraham Lincoln’s humor and jokes as well.


I liked reading these quotations from one of America’s most famous presidents. I liked that we are shown the world through Lincoln’s eyes and a glimpse at his thoughts. I enjoyed that the quotations weren’t just from speeches and letters but also gathered from friends of his.
I think anyone interested in history and Abraham Lincoln would enjoy this book.


I acknowledge that I received this book free of charge from NetGalley and Dover Publications in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion of it.