LINCOLN'S GIFT How Humor Shaped Lincoln's Life and Legacy

Narrator Frank Gerard delivers the author's account of the importance of humor in Lincoln's life, including his careers in law and politics. Humorous tales that he "just happened to be reminded of" swayed juries and voters alike, as well as offering him in a brief refuge from his melancholy temperament. Gordon Leidner has gathered many of the stories and placed them within Lincoln's life story. While Gerard narrates clearly, his delivery of the stories may bring limited amusement to contemporary listeners. He lacks the timing and comedic verve of the best storytellers. Thus, while we learn much about Lincoln's life and hear a large collection of his favorite tales, they are not offered in a way that gives listeners an audible sense of what proved so delightful to generations past. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2019]