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Last Lincolns The Rise & Fall of a Great American Family

by Charles Lachman
Last Lincolns The Rise & Fall of a Great American Family

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  • Synopses & Reviews

ISBN13: 9781402758904
ISBN10: 1402758901
Condition: Standard
DustJacket: Standard

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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments

Most books about Abraham Lincoln end on April 14, 1865, the day he was assassinated at Ford's Theatre. But that historic event takes place near the beginning of The Last Lincolns, a singular title in the vast output of Lincolnia and one of the most unusual books ever written on the sixteenth president and his family. Going far beyond that fateful day into uncharted territory, it's a gripping page turner written by a TV producer with proven storytelling skills. This absorbing American tragedy tells the largely unknown story of the acrimony that consumed the Lincolns in the months and years that followed the president's murder. This was not a family that came together in mourning and mutual sadness; instead, they fell out over the anguished mental condition of the widowed Mary. In 1875, Robert — the handsome but resentful eldest Lincoln child — engineered her arrest and forcible commitment to an insane asylum. In each succeeding generation, the Lincolns' misfortunes multiplied, as a litany of alcohol abuse, squandered fortunes, burned family papers, and outright dissipation led to the downfall of this once-great family.

Charles Lachman traces the story right up to the last generation of Lincoln descendants: great-grandson Bob Lincoln Beckwith, his estranged wife, Annemarie, and her son, Timothy Lincoln Beckwith. Bob, who was according to all medical evidence sterile, believes the son who bears the Lincoln name was the product of an adulterous affair. Annemarie, however, wanted the boy to be a "Lincoln," putting the child in line for a vast inheritance. There's even evidence — uncovered by Lachman for the first time — that a scheme to obtain possession of the Lincoln fortune was orchestrated by Bob Beckwith's chauffer, who may have been the notorious outlaw and skyjacker, D.B. Cooper.

Published in advance of Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday in February 2009, The Last Lincolns provides an unforgettable glimpse into the personal legacy left by the man who could unite a nation…but not his own family.

An unusual family history reveals that:

  • Abraham and Mary Lincoln were very lenient with their younger sons — and rarely imposed discipline on them.
  • At age 12, young Tad Lincoln — whose education during the family's White House years was very lax — could still not read.
  • Eldest son Robert Lincoln objected to the intense attention the media paid to the Lincoln family.
  • After her husband's assassination, Mary Lincoln pleaded for financial assistance from family friends and people in government.
  • Mary's erratic behavior led Robert to swear out a warrant for her arrest and institutionalization.

Review

"Lincoln enthusiasts will still find much to enjoy here." Booklist

Review

"Lachman...strives to make something of a connection between a Lincoln descendant and lost highjacker D.B. Cooper." Library Journal

Review

"[An] easy read, one trivia buffs will enjoy." Houston Chronicle

Review

"[A]n absorbing, well-researched account....[C]ompelling....[A]n important and engaging contribution not just to the burgeoning field of Lincoln studies, but to our understanding of American social history." Jean H. Baker, author of Mary Todd Lincoln: A Biography

Review

"[A] spellbinding account of Abraham Lincoln's family." Frank J. Williams, Founding Chair of The Lincoln Forum, and Chief Justice, Rhode Island Supreme Court

Review

"[An] intimate portrait of decline. Throughout, the contrast between the great President and his descendants — living lives of little social impact or public purpose — is crystal clear." Kenneth D. Ackerman, author of Dark Horse: The Surprise Election and Political Murder of President James A. Garfield

Synopsis

Written by a TV producer with proven storytelling skills, this absorbing American tragedy tells the largely unknown story of the acrimony that consumed the Lincolns in the months and years that followed the president's murder.

About the Author

Charles Lachman is Executive Producer of the top-rated TV news magazine show Inside Edition. Prior to that, he was Senior Producer and Co-Executive Producer of American Journal; Managing Editor of the nightly news broadcasts at WNYW-TV (Fox) in New York; and a producer at A Current Affair. He has also been a staff reporter at The New York Post and The Fort Lauderdale News. He is also the author of a novel about the criminal justice system called In the Name of the Law (St. Martin's, 1989), which PW called "scorching and truly gripping."

5 3

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating 5 (3 comments)

`
bookish , February 05, 2009 (view all comments by bookish)
What a compelling book!I finished The Last Lincolns left with so many lingering "what ifs".Lincoln's eldest son Robert comes off as unfeeling,ashamed of his unstable mother,focused on climbing the social ladder.Mary Lincoln is truly a tragic figure,losing everyone she loved except Robert,who brought about her insanity trial.The later Lincolns are a mixed bag,with none of them possessing anything near greatness.Just imagine how different history would have been if just one of Abe's line had his genius.A book that you read straight through and remember.

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`
VirginiaCee , January 21, 2009
This is a marveloul account of an American family that had a profound impact on our society and in fact of the whole world's. It is a wonderful source of history and the measure of the man who became our president and how we continue to praise him.

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`
NoelJr , January 21, 2009 (view all comments by NoelJr)
Cant find Mr Lachman s LAST LINCOLNs in local bookstores. So I wonder if he mentions a Mr Abraham Lincoln ISHAM: reputed to be one of President Lincolns last descendents; and whom I had the pleasure of meeting in Dorset=Vermont almost half a century ago. Please advise. Many thanks. s/Noel E. PARMENTEL Jr eMail: [email protected] ps/ Viva POWELLs

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Product Details

ISBN:
9781402758904
Binding:
Hardcover
Publication date:
10/01/2008
Publisher:
UNION SQUARE PRESS
Pages:
483
Height:
9 in.
Width:
6 in.
Number of Units:
1
Copyright Year:
2008
UPC Code:
2801402758906
Author:
Charles Lachman
Subject:
BG-MIND & BODY - BG-NEW AGE
Subject:
Families - United States
Subject:
Lincoln, Abraham - Family
Subject:
Biography-Historical
Subject:
Family -- United States.
Subject:
United states
Subject:
BG-MINDandBODY - BG-NEW AGE
Subject:
Family

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