Historical fiction, telling the story of Lincoln's presidency. As the book starts, Lincoln is just about to take office in a country that is massively torn. All the efforts of Lincoln notwithstanding, this turns into civil war eventually (which, I didn't realise, isn't actually about slavery; slavery is merely the excuse given by both sides). Of course, we know how that ends; and in fact how Lincoln's presidency ends. Vidal is good enough an author to realise he cannot avoid the assassination, so the book ends just afterwards, with a neat wrap-up.

I'd never read anything by Gore Vidal before, but after this one, I'm quite keen to try some more! Meanwhile, I'll see if I can pass this one on to other interested people (starting with DJgib if she wants it).

Thanks!

Worthy, accomplished and very, very long. Interesting from the point of view of showing Lincoln as a much more calculating, political being than the liberal hero I have usually seen him presented as. Otherwise, it struggled to hold my attention.

Released on the garden wall of St Andrew the Great church. Hopefully one of the many shoppers will take an interest!