Abraham Lincoln : Vampire Hunter Facts vs. Fiction

The recently published book "Abraham Lincoln : Vampire Hunter" by Seth Grahame-Smith has attracted a lot of interest from readers in recent weeks. It's garnering great reviews, including one I wrote here. The book is well-written and Grahame-Smith has skillfully blended historical fact with a fun fictional account of Lincoln as a hunter of vampires.

I've been struck, though, by how many "hits" this blog has been receiving from people who are trying to determine what is fictional and what is fact in the book. As a small public service, I thought I'd help out those who are having difficulty in this area. The list below touches on some of the major events in the book. WARNING: There will most likely be spoilers here!

• The Secret Journal Of Abraham Lincoln - complete fiction. It would be a major historical find if such a journal were ever to be discovered.

• Lincoln befriending Edgar Allen Poe - also fiction. The real Lincoln loved Poe's works of poetry and fiction, but the two gentlemen never met in real life. That photo in the book which shows them posing together? Nicely faked.

• Lincoln venturing to Mississippi to confront Jefferson Davis - fiction. The two probably did meet somewhere along the way, but Lincoln never travelled to Mississippi to confront him.

• The photos - mostly doctored, blatantly or not. Most of the photos in the book have been "enhanced" to go along with the story. For example, Jefferson Davis and John Wilkes Booth never posed together for a photo. The photo with Lincoln sitting in General McClellan's tent at Antietam is real enough, with the exception of the ax shown next to Lincoln. The photo showing the close-up with the skull on the battlefield? Mostly real, with the exception of the fangs.

• Lincoln in New Orleans - fact. Lincoln did travel twice to New Orleans, once in 1828, and once in 1830. He was hired to deliver crops and other cargo from Illinois down the Mississippi River.

• Lincoln's mother Nancy dying when Abe was 9 - fact. She indeed died when Abe was only 9, but from drinking milk poisoned by a cow eating white snake root, a poisonous plant.

• Lincoln's son Willie dying in 1862 - fact. He died of typhoid fever.

• Vampires - sorry, folks. Henry Sturges is fictional. So are all the other vampires which pop up in the story. I didn't really have to tell you this, did I?

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Noteworthy New Lincoln Website and Blog

More than 201 years after his birth, and 145 years after his death, Abraham Lincoln continues to fascinate people around the world. His story has been told countless times in books, plays, magazine articles, movies, musicals, and even modern dance. I began this blog 2 1/2 years ago in order to share my own fascination with all things Lincoln, but it's hardly the only such blog on the Internet. There is always room for more.

I'd like to bring attention to probably the most recent Internet site about Lincoln, and it has the makings of one of the best. Erika Holst is the author of "Lincoln Footnotes" which is both a website and a blog. The purpose of both is to share little-known stories about Lincoln, stories which, as she writes on her site "show up in biographies as footnotes, if they show up at all, but are nevertheless fascinating bits of history." For example, Ms. Holst has already posted articles on her blog about Lincoln's ties to the infamous Donner Party, Moby Dick author Herman Melville, and a political acquaintance who met an unfortunate end by being crushed by a political campaign pole. I'm intrigued already.

Ms. Holst is a trained historian who holds a Masters in Early American Culture from the University of Delaware's Winterthur Program, and her B.S. is in History and English from Illinois Wesleyan University. She's also worked, volunteered, and interned at prestigious museums such as The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois. Her articles have appeared in History Magazine, and the Journal Of The Abraham Lincoln Association. Very impressive and a bit intimidating to those of us who are only amateurs.

Please visit her website and blog. I've already learned more about Abraham Lincoln from her efforts, and so will you.

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Book Review - Abraham Lincoln:Vampire Hunter

Forget almost everything you've ever learned about Abraham Lincoln and his life. Sure, he was the 16th President of The United States who led the nation through the Civil War. But that was only a front for what he really was: a hunter and killer of vampires!

That at least is the claim of Seth Grahame-Smith, the author of "Abraham Lincoln:Vampire Hunter," due for release to book stores everywhere this week (March 2, 2010). Grahame-Smith was also the author of last year's surprise best-seller, "Pride And Prejudice And Zombies" in which he re-imagined the classic novel by Jane Austen to include killer zombies.

Now, Grahame-Smith has chosen to re-imagine not a classic novel, but a towering figure of American history, Abraham Lincoln. Grahame-Smith was recently befriended (so we're told) by a mysterious stranger, who gave him a package of old diaries which turned out to be the long-lost Secret Journal of Abraham Lincoln. All we've ever known about Lincoln has been turned upside down. Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, didn't die of "milk sickness." No, she was killed by a vampire who was seeking a debt from Lincoln's father, Thomas. When Thomas later reveals the truth, young Abe dedicates himself to destroying all vampires.

Grahame-Smith has reconstructed the hidden story of Abe through the journals and interviews with others mentioned by the mysterious stranger. We see young Abraham build his body and perfect his hunting and tracking skills as he pursues vampires. He develops an amazing skill with his trusty ax, able to hit targets by flinging it from up to 30 feet away. Abe encounters his own stranger who proceeds to reveal to him what his purpose will be in life.

Not only does the author take us through Abraham Lincoln's life, he also weaves the famous Lost Colony of Roanoke, Edgar Allen Poe, Barack Obama, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. into the narrative. It all seems to be sheer insanity.

Yet, somehow it works. It works well. The reader is treated to a novel which is at times gripping, sometimes moving, and all the while highly entertaining. Though the book is more than 330 pages long, it never drags and keeps the attention of the reader.

The best feature of this book is the skill with which Grahame-Smith blends historical fact with the absurdity of the involvement of vampires in Lincoln's life. Other than the vampires, all other characters presented here did exist. Most events are accurate, while a few are imagined (the real Lincoln did not not travel to Mississippi to confront the real Jefferson Davis, for example). Dates are also mostly accurate. Real photos or prints depicting Lincoln or the Civil War are shown, but have been "doctored" to further the vampire story. In fact, the blending of fact and fiction is done so well that many readers may not know when events and photos have been faked.

I enjoyed the book a great deal, with a few caveats. The first two parts of the book (Boy and Vampire Hunter) are very well-done with excellent character development. The reader can almost feel that he or she is in New Orleans with Abe, or while he's tracking a vampire along the Mississippi. We follow Abe as he grows from a young boy into a young man and leaves his father and step-mother to be on his own in New Salem, Illinois where he meets Ann Rutledge.

The final part of the book, when Abraham Lincoln becomes president of the United States, seemed to me to be rushed at times. We see Lincoln as he is elected, when he travels to see McClellan at Antietam, when he gives his Gettysburg Address and his inaugural speeches, and as he deals with his cabinet. The events surrounding his death are especially presented very quickly. I believe a few extra pages, no more than 20 or 30, would have permitted the author to further explain John Wilkes Booth's motivation behind the reasons he chose assassination over an initial kidnapping plot, even if it was a fictionalized account.

I suppose it doesn't make much sense to point out some inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the book, but they did bother me. A reference to Lincoln's 53rd birthday gives his birth date as February 9th instead of February 12th! The names of Lincoln's sons Willie and Eddie are sometimes misspelled as "Willy" and "Eddy," while they are spelled correctly in other instances in the book. It's the responsibility of the author to assure accuracy, but better editing would have caught these problems.

When I was first asked to review "Abraham Lincoln : Vampire Hunter" by the publisher, I was tempted to laugh it off. Then I found out that The Smithsonian Institution and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum have both held (or will soon hold) appearances by the author for discussions and book signings. I figured if the book is important enough for those institutions to highlight, then it should be for me, too.

I recommend this book. It's fun, entertaining, and even informative. Above all, it just might make more people interested in Abraham Lincoln, the real person. And that is a good thing.

Rating:

4.0 out of 5.0 axes (The image is real. It's a close-up of the final ax Abraham Lincoln used, approximately one week before his death. Not to kill vampires, though.)

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Lincoln's Bicentennial

Today marks the 201st anniversary of the birth of our nation's 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. It also brings to a close this past year which has seen countless celebrations of the bicentennial of his birth.

The bicentennial celebrations kicked off last February 12 with ceremonies in the small Kentucky town of Hodgenville, near his birthplace. That day also saw a national teach-in from Washington, where Harold Holzer and Doris Kearns Goodwin helped teachers bring Lincoln's stories to students across the country. The first of three events were held at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. in order to re-dedicate it to the memory of Abraham Lincoln.

New statues of Lincoln were unveiled in places such as Louisville, Kentucky and Lincoln City, Indiana, near his boyhood home site. Television programs like "American Experience" and "Bill Moyers Journal" (both on PBS) held specials to commemorate Lincoln, one about the assassination and one about Lincoln's lasting legacy.

Arts performances were held throughout the United States at halls like The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and in far smaller venues such as E.J. Thomas Hall in Akron, Ohio. I had the great pleasure in attending "Our Lincoln" put on by the Kentucky Arts Council at the former location, and "A Lincoln Portrait" performed at the latter location. Both were moving and full of meaning.

Exhibits such as "Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life" opened at The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. The Library Of Congress began "With Malice Toward None," a nationally touring exhibit of fantastic artifacts associated with Lincoln. The Smithsonian exhibit continues until 2011 and should not be missed. The touring exhibit is currently in Indianapolis, Indiana at the Indiana State Museum. Speaking of museums, this past year also saw Indiana State Museum "win" the competition to host the largest private collection of Lincoln items, formerly in the possession of the now-closed Lincoln Museum in Fort Wayne.

Of course this past year saw the publication of numerous new books about Lincoln, adding to the nearly 17,000 books already in existence. Notable among these books a massive two-volume biography by Michael Burlingame, an important new biography by Ronald C. White, and a delightful children's book titled "Lincoln And His Boys" by Rosemary Wells.

Lincoln was further honored by new commemorative coins by the U.S. Mint. A special silver dollar sold out almost immediately. Four newly designed cents were released as well, depicting various stages of Lincoln's life. Just yesterday, a permanent redesign of the Lincoln cent was unveiled in Springfield, Illinois. The reverse will now feature the Union shield instead of the Lincoln Memorial.

It's been a wonderful year of celebrations and performances to honor the memory of our country's greatest president. I hope that Mr. Lincoln doesn't fade from the headlines now that his big year is over. After the exhibits close and once the new books are read, I wonder will our nation still honor the memory of Abraham Lincoln as vividly as it has this past year?

Debate continues over just what Abraham Lincoln's legacy means to our nation. Should we remember him as helping to create a stronger federal government, for good or bad? Does he have relevance to the continued struggle for freedom and justice for all Americans?

On this 201st anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth, it is my wish that all Americans come to a better understanding of him and his continuing relevance to our nation today.

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Blog Interview: Rebecca Of My Adventures In History

When I began writing The Abraham Lincoln Blog a little more than two years ago, it was with the goal of sharing my interest (some would say obsession with) in Lincoln with anyone who might stumble upon the blog. Little did I know that it would lead to new friendships with people from around the country.

One of my best new friendships is with Rebecca, the author of "My Adventures In History," a well-written and very entertaining blog about her experiences at historic sites across the United States. The photo above shows Rebecca, who lives in Idaho, sitting with a statue of Lincoln in his hometown of Springfield, Illinois. I first informed my readers of her blog back in December 2009. I thought I'd take this a step further and interview Rebecca so my readers can get to know more about her and her blog. Please drop by her blog and read through some of her posts. Her blog is one of my favorites, and I hope it will become one of yours, too. The interview begins in the next paragraph. (When your done reading her interview, please drop by her blog to read her interview of me. If you ever wanted to know about what makes me tick, here is a good place to start.)

Q: Please tell my readers a little about your blog, "My Adventures In History." What could readers expect to find?

A: My blog is all about sharing my passion for history as I discuss places I've been with historical significance, my favorite movies in history, television shows of interest and events I'm learning more about. I want my blog to be more than just dates and facts, but about the deeper effects of history, how it has affected the world today and even me personally.

Readers can find various kinds of topics in history covered on my blog. As far as topics are concerned, I mostly discuss those having to do with American history but my blog isn't limited to that. Readers can also find a variety of posts. I've done book and movie reviews, talked about my own historical adventures and places I've visited. There are posts about serious topics, TV shows, holidays we celebrate, even contests and humorous posts!

Q: While you're at it, please tell my readers a little about yourself, such as where you're from, your education background, etc.

A: I was born and raised in Idaho, more specifically in the Treasure Valley near the city of Boise. I went to school in Idaho and graduated high school here. I then went on to college, and after trying a couple of private schools, ended up at Boise State University. I graduated from BSU about three years ago with a Bachelor's Degree. In my spare time, when I'm not doing homework or working on my blog, I like to write, read all kinds of books, and spend time with friends and family. I also really enjoy traveling and have been to several countries outside the United States.

Q: I understand you may be embarking on a new educational path in life. What are you pursuing? What do you hope to end up doing for a career?

A: I just started pursuing a certification in Secondary Education to teach history and social studies at Boise State University. I am undecided right now if I want to teach either middle school or high school. Honestly, I'd really like to continue with my education after that and pursue a Master's Degree in history, so I can teach at the university level. I have a strong passion for history, and I love sharing it with others. I want other people to know that history is not boring. I personally have been in history classes where I've been bored to death, but it can actually be fun to learn and study!

Q: How long have you been blogging and what made you begin?

A: I've been blogging for a little over a year and a half now. I started back in the spring of 2008. The way I got started blogging is an interesting story. I've always been a huge history buff, and back then, I watched the History Channel a lot. It was something to do on my days off when I was working the night shift. I had the idea to start this blog after watching a show called "Battle 360" about the U.S.S. Enterprise in World War II. I wanted to share my thoughts about the show, so I started my blog, and that became the very first post. My blog has been and growing and evolving since then, and it's been really exciting for me to see!

Q: Have you always been interested in history? What triggered your interest in history?

A: I have been interested in history ever since junior high school, and that was over ten years ago! I remember first being really interested in U.S. history after watching the movie "Gettysburg," the one with Jeff Daniels and Martin Sheen. I wanted to know more about the Battle of Gettysburg and the Civil War after seeing that. It was then in junior high that I began to really find myself interested in history and learning more about it in class. I found that the more I learned in class, the more I wanted to study it on my own. After high school, I sort of lost my passion for history a little as I had to focus on studying other subjects, but it has always been there.

Q: What particular area (or era) of history fascinates you most? What person(s) from history most interest you?

A: The Civil War is my first love and probably will remain that way. It shaped so much of our country and what we see today. This country was much different before the war. I also like early American history American Revolution and the Founding Fathers, how they shaped the Constitution and set up the government. Honestly, it's hard to say what particular area of history fascinates me the most, because I seem to jump from subject to subject. One day, I'll find myself really interested in one topic, and I read all I can about that subject, then a few days later, I'm on to a new topic!

Of course, Abraham Lincoln has always been a person from history that I've been interested in for a long time. The Founding Fathers really interest me, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Then just this last year I read a book that sparked an interest in John and Abigail Adams. I've also been interested in the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and major presidents and military commanders in American history.

Q: What other eras or areas of history hold a particular interest for you?

A: Well, military history, including the 20th century wars America has been involved in, has always fascinated me. Also, when I lived in Poland a few years ago, I learned a lot of Polish history. Many of the tragedies in Poland that happened in World War II are still visible there today, so a lot of places I went reminded me of that. Plus, this semester I am taking a class on Eastern Civilizations. I'm finding that really interesting, because I didn't learn a lot about that subject growing up. Most of my history classes in school have been on Western Civilizations and U.S. history.

Q: Since your blog is titled "My Adventures In History", please share with my readers some of your most memorable adventures. What are some of your favorite places you've ever visited, and why?

A: Just this last year, I visited some Civil War battlefields and historical places like Richmond, Yorktown, Colonial Williamsburg, and Springfield, Illinois where Abraham Lincoln lived. That was a very memorable trip. My favorite places I've visited on that trip were the Antietam Battlefield and Springfield. Visiting the Antietam Battlefield was incredible. It is such a peaceful place, yet during the Civil War, it was a scene of incredible carnage with over 23,000 casualties in one day. I have studied the battle in-depth, but actually going there helped me understand it in a much different way.

Springfield, Illinois is also one of my favorite places I've visited. I got to go with my family and even my grandma came a long with us. I'm really glad she got to see it! We went to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, Lincoln's house, and his tomb. I enjoyed seeing those places because it helped me understand how human Lincoln was. We saw the places where he played with his sons, where he shaved, the desk where he wrote. Then seeing the place where he's buried, it was pretty overwhelming.

Q: I admit to not knowing much about Idaho's history. What are some historical sites in Idaho you could recommend to someone like me, who has never been to your state? Why should anyone visit Idaho, other than for the sheer natural beauty?

A: Well, first of all, I would recommend visiting Idaho just for its sheer natural beauty! :) Idaho is very beautiful, especially in the mountains! Idaho is a great place to visit, especially if you love the outdoors. There are so many activities to do in all seasons, like snowboarding, camping, boating, hiking, fishing, and white water rafting. I could go on and on about all the possibilities! There are resorts, theme parks, art and cultural events, recreational parks, historical sites, and more.

Concerning historical sites, there are many museums to see all over Idaho. There are a few Oregon Trail sites in the state, like Three Island Crossing and the Old Fort Boise replica. I'd recommend seeing places like the Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa, the Old Idaho Penitentiary, and the Boise Train Depot. Of course, the historical towns and old mines are always fun too. In Northern Idaho, there are many historical sites having to do with the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the Nez Perce. Idaho actually has a lot of historical sites.

Q: Since my blog is entirely about Abraham Lincoln, are there any Lincoln connections to Idaho you could share with my readers? I notice that on your blog's homepage, you have a photo of a Lincoln statue. Would that statue happen to be in Idaho?

A: Yes, that Lincoln statue is in downtown Boise! This statue is the oldest one of Lincoln in the western United States. It was dedicated last year on Lincoln's birthday after being restored and moved to a new location right in front of the state Capitol. Lincoln actually has several connections with Idaho, but I'll just mention a couple. In 1863, Lincoln signed the bill that created the Idaho Territory and appointed the first territorial officers. Also, Lincoln met with the delegate from the Idaho territory, William H. Wallace, on the day he was assassinated and even invited Wallace to go to the theater with him that night. I have more information about the Lincoln statue and his connection's to Idaho on my blog too!

Q: If you could have dinner with any person from any time in history, who would you select and why? It can be a famous or obscure person.

A: That's a really difficult question! I'd probably say Abraham Lincoln first of all. He was such a fascinating person in American history, and I'd like to find out what he was really like as a person. We hear so much about him and how great a president he was, but I really want to know how great of a person he was firsthand! There are many people from history I'd like to have dinner with just to see what they were like in person!

Q: Since you obviously love history, you must read about it. What are some of your favorite books concerning history? Why did you like them?

A: One of my favorite history books that I read just this last year was John Adams by David McCullough. John Adams is one of the most overlooked of the Founding Fathers and this biography gave me a new appreciation and admiration for John and Abigail. McCullough is an excellent writer. Another one of my favorite books is Battle Cry of Freedom by James McPherson. The book is one of the most comprehensive ones I've read about the Civil War, and McPherson is one of my favorite historians too. It looks like an intimidating book, but it isn't boring at all. In fact, the writing style is actually engaging and exciting!

Q: What historical place or places would you most like to visit and why?

A: Well, on the top of my list of places I want to visit is Gettysburg and Washington D.C. I've wanted to visit Gettysburg since seeing the movie and because visiting a battlefield gives you a whole new understanding of what happened. I want to visit Washington D.C. to see all the monuments and museums and because it's an important place to our country as well. I also want to visit all the major battlefields of the Civil War and the American Revolution, including important cities like Boston and Philadelphia. There are so many historical places and museums I would love to visit.

Q: What do your family and friends say about your love for history?

A: My family has actually gotten used to my love of history now. In fact, my dad and my sister both share my love of history, but they aren't as geeky as I am! :) My friends don't say much about my love of history. It's kind of a rare thing for me to meet other people who love history as much as I do, but I'm sure I will meet other students at school who love history.

Q: Finally, please share with my readers your upcoming plans for your blog. Are you planning any new adventures?

A: I don't have any plans for new adventures in terms of traveling right now because of school. However, I've done a little traveling around my own state of Idaho in the last few months, so I have a few new posts about those adventures coming up. Also, going back to school to become a history teacher is an adventure itself, so I'll probably be posting about topics I'm studying as I go along! I have some book reviews, posts about Idaho history, some fun list posts, and more coming up on my blog in the near future. And I always appreciate when my readers give suggestions for new posts!

Thanks for your time, Rebecca!

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Merry Christmas From The Abraham Lincoln Blog!

On this Christmas Eve 2009, I simply want to take a few moments and wish my readers a very Merry Christmas! To those of you who don't celebrate Christmas, I wish you a very blessed Holiday Season and Happy New Year.

I am grateful to those of you who take time from your schedule to drop by The Abraham Lincoln Blog, whether you're a repeat visitor, or those of you who visit just once. It is because of you that I continue what is for me a labor of love. I have been fascinated by the story of Abraham Lincoln for as long as I can remember, and I enjoy sharing my knowledge of him with others.

Thank you for your comments, corrections, and continued visits. I look forward to more posts in the coming year.

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General Sherman's Christmas Gift To Lincoln

This week marks the 145th anniversary of the capture of Savannah, Georgia by Union troops under the command of Major General William Tecumseh Sherman. It completed his "March To The Sea" which had begun just a few weeks earlier in Atlanta. The march cut a large swath through the Georgia landscape and did much to destroy the will of the Confederacy.

After the fall of Savannah, Sherman sent a now-famous telegram to President Lincoln in which he presented the city as a "gift" to the president. The original War Department transcription of the telegram is shown above. Sherman stated: "I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the City of Savannah, with one hundred and fifty guns and plenty of ammunition, also about 25,000 bales of cotton."

Lincoln of course was overcome with joy at the news, for he recognized that it was the beginning of the end of the Civil War. On December 26, 1864 Lincoln sent an eloquent letter of thanks to Sherman, reading: "Many, many thanks for your Christmas gift - the capture of Savannah. When you were leaving Atlanta for the Atlantic coast, I was anxious, if not fearful; but feeling that you were the better judge, and remembering that 'nothing risked, nothing gained' I did not interfere. Now, the undertaking being a success, the honour is all yours; for I believe that none of us went farther to acquiesce." Lincoln went on to mention other actions by other troops and wondered what was next for Sherman and Grant. Lincoln concluded: "Please make my grateful acknowledgements to your whole army - officers and men."

Savannah suffered almost no damage during its capture by Sherman's troops. It remains much the same in appearance as it did 145 years this week. It is a beautiful southern city. If you ever have a chance to visit, take the opportunity to do so. I had the pleasure of seeing it for the first time in 2008, and was struck by the charm and history of the city.

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