   | Mr. Lincoln sits for his portrait : the story of a photograph that became an American icon Author: Marcus, Leonard S. | |
| Price: $23.98 | ||
Summary:
A middle-grade nonfiction book about one of America's most historically resonant images, the circumstances surrounding its creation, and the larger story it tells about Abraham Lincoln's life.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (12/01/22)
Booklist (+) (12/01/23)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 02/01/2023 *Starred Review* It’s become iconographic, the famous photographic portrait of President Abraham Lincoln reading to his then 10-year-old son, the mischievous Tad. Taken on February 9, 1864, it shows Lincoln seated in profile facing right with Tad standing by his father’s left arm. Lincoln is wearing his reading glasses (a unique touch) and balancing a large book on his knee. Most viewers incorrectly presumed the book was the Family Bible; it was, instead, a Brady catalog. The indefatigable Marcus uses the photograph and the occasion of its being taken as a jumping off point for this fascinating, anecdote-rich profile of the sixteenth president. It turns out, Marcus asserts, that Lincoln loved the camera. From his first portrait in 1846 or 1847 to 1865, more than 100 followed, a generous handful of which are reproduced along with many other archival photographs in this handsome book. Indeed, Lincoln was among the first public figures to use photographs to present himself. They portrayed a man whose enemies cruelly likened to a great baboon; Lincoln himself regarded his visage self-deprecatingly, while a contemporary artist hauntingly described the face as being “the saddest I ever knew.” Marcus’ latest is exceedingly well written and unfailingly interesting, bringing Lincoln into vivid focus. The book will be useful in the classroom, of course, but is even better for independent reading. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.
Booklist - 02/15/2023 *Starred Review* It’s become iconographic, the famous photographic portrait of President Abraham Lincoln reading to his then 10-year-old son, the mischievous Tad. Taken on February 9, 1864, it shows Lincoln seated in profile facing right with Tad standing by his father’s left arm. Lincoln is wearing his reading glasses (a unique touch) and balancing a large book on his knee. Most viewers incorrectly presumed the book was the Family Bible; it was, instead, a Brady catalog. The indefatigable Marcus uses the photograph and the occasion of its being taken as a jumping off point for this fascinating, anecdote-rich profile of the sixteenth president. It turns out, Marcus asserts, that Lincoln loved the camera. From his first portrait in 1846 or 1847 to 1865, more than 100 followed, a generous handful of which are reproduced along with many other archival photographs in this handsome book. Indeed, Lincoln was among the first public figures to use photographs to present himself. They portrayed a man whose enemies cruelly likened him to a great baboon; Lincoln himself regarded his visage self-deprecatingly, while a contemporary artist hauntingly described the face as being “the saddest I ever knew.” Marcus’ latest is exceedingly well written and unfailingly interesting, bringing Lincoln into vivid focus. The book will be useful in the classroom, of course, but is even better for independent reading. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.
