Lincoln (Masterplots II: American Fiction Series, Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Gore Vidal
- First Published: 1984
- Type of Plot: Historical chronicle
- Time of Work: 1861-1865
- Setting: Washington, D.C.
- Principal Characters: Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln, John Hay, William Seward, Edwin Stanton, Salmon P. Chase, John Wilkes Booth, David Herold
- Genres: Long fiction
- Subjects: Nineteenth century
- Locales: Washington, D.C.
The Novel
Lincoln: A Novel begins and ends with the Civil War president’s term of office. It is a study in the way political power is captured and maintained. Although the novel contains a subplot that focuses on the reasons for Southern disaffection with the Union, the main concern is always with the great politician himself and with how his subordinates connived to support or to undermine his authority. It is clear that Gore Vidal regards Abraham Lincoln as the greatest of American presidents, who not only preserved the Union but, in effect, re-created it. In order...
[The entire page is 1939 words long]
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