Oh my God, "Dixie" and the balcony speech again. We are like "Groundhog Day," aren't we? We relive these things with every "new" book we read as if we're unaware we've read it and relived it before, and before, and before. How can authors get away with writing a biography of Abraham Lincoln in 2014, or in this case, 2008, when there have been, what, 15,000, books on Lincoln before? Because people like me, in moments of desperation, aren't "struck" by any other book to buy. "Duh, there's a book on Lincoln, I guess I'll get that one." Jesus Christ. Is there one fucking analytical book on Abraham Lincoln? Huh? Or are they all biographies? Does every fucking book on Lincoln have the scenes of Chase and the pumpkins and Dixie and the balcony speech? WHY did this war last so long?  Was it a mistake BY HIM to have gone through as many generals as I have had wives?  GOOD idea to have married McClellan twice? Huh? Would Lincoln's personal, moral opposition to slavery, his "hatred" of it, would that pass the pragmatist's test for "truth:"  "a belief strong enough that one is willing to ACT upon it?" Wouldn't that be "novel?" A book that takes a shot at THOSE questions? Is there anyone at home. Anyone at all? No? Okay...Okay. The ONE advantage to Lincoln biographies is that you get to skip the Dixie pumpkins and in the time you save you can think for yourself.  "The Final Days," page 805. Oh my God, "The Final Days." On the edge of my seat.