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Designed by Rich Deas to resemble in both look and size a yellowed memorial issue of a 19th-century tabloid, this one-year-later account of Lincoln’s youth and political career features a linked set of lengthy, sharply analytical articles and a distinct period look, courtesy of Bing’s always eye-catching illustrations. Beneath hyperbolic multiple headlines (“ASSASSINS APPREHENDED <\b>/ SECY SEWARD’S ASSAILANT AND TWO OTHERS ARRESTED / VICIOUS MADMAN IDENTIFIED / Blood Found On Clothes...”), Denenberg opens with Lincoln’s death, then retraces his upbringing, political education and White House years—quoting from speeches, assessing his increasingly saturnine personality and unhappy family life, and even mentioning such less laudable moments as his abortive engagement to Mary Owens. Enhanced by period-style advertisements and side features on his beard and other topics, by contemporary photos and also appropriately melodramatic wood engravings, this will be tough to shelve due to its large trim size but makes a memorable way of introducing Lincoln’s character and achievements. Its unusual appearance is guaranteed to draw readers to it; its striking graphics will keep them poring over the pages. (Biography. 10-13)
