Lincoln Shot: A President’s Life Remembered

Lincoln Shot So begins this intimate portrait of Abraham Lincoln. Conceived as a one year anniversary edition of a newspaper, dated April 14, 1866, strongly evocative of the time and the nation’s mood. The moment-by-moment recital of the events of the day that ended in assassination holds readers enthralled awaiting the tragic end. The account of the flight, capture, and hanging of some of the conspirators is riveting.

From there, Denenberg moves to the log cabin in Kentucky and Lincoln’s life unfolds. The boy, the man, the husband and the father is portrayed as a trifle clumsy, often unsure of himself, and plagued by dark moods. Denenberg’s Lincoln is ambitious and modest. He struggles with his role as leader as the Civil War nears.

In the third part of the book, the year-by-year account of the Civil War is seen through Lincoln’s eyes. Every defeat and every victory deepens his struggle and resolve.

Award-winning artist Christopher Bing evokes an 1866 newspaper with pen-and-ink scenes from Lincoln’s life: Lincoln wrestling Jack Armstrong, Lincoln taking vows with Mary Todd, Grant and Lee at Appomattox, and Booth shooting Lincoln.

Rich Deas, book designer, has folded Bing’s art and sourced archival images into layouts that are undistinguishable for 1866 newspaper design. Every facet of design, from frames to advertisements, has been exactingly molded to evoke the era.

The oversized vertical trim underscores the newspaper look and feel. Meticulously researched and exquisitely designed, Lincoln Shot is a uniquely inviting and accessible tribute to Lincoln, whose birth bicentennial is February 12, 2009.

Barry Denenberg’s biographies have garnered excellent reviews. He won a Jefferson Cup Honor Award for When Will This Cruel War Be Over?: The Civil War Diary of Emma Simpson (Dear America, 1996). The Jefferson Cup is awarded by the Virginia Library Association’s Children’s and Young Adult Round Table. It honors a distinguished biography, historical fiction or American history book for young people. Mr. Denenberg lives in New York state.

Christopher Bing won a 2001 Caldecott Honor Award for Casey at the Bat, the classic 1888 poem. The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere was called ＂an impressive volume＂ (PW). In a starred review, Booklist termed it ＂a remarkable visual interpretation of Longfellow’s classic poem.＂ Mr. Bing lives in Massachusetts.

Rich Deas is an Art Director, designer, and illustrator with a strong focus on book design. He has created hundreds of book covers. Mr. Deas lives in New Jersey.