East Longmeadow Public Library to host talk on Abraham Lincoln

Date: 2/2/2009

HELPFUL EDITORS Author Doreen Rappaport acknowledged the students in Deborah Barry's 2006 enrichment class Matt Plifka, Anne Stack, Kasey Tenggren, Arianna Becker, Nick O'Brien, Jacqui Sullivan, Hans Fett, Jake Grant, Robbie Miller, Casey Nichol, Rachael Zemanek, Joe Berrouard and Matt Fontaine for their "honest and insightful critiques" of the manuscript of her book "Abe's Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln." The book will be available at local Barnes & Noble stores during Presidents' Month in February. Mapleshade principal Brenda Houle and teacher Deborah Barry display the book.

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EAST LONGMEADOW What's so great about Abraham Lincoln?

There has been much talk recently about the parallels between Abraham Lincoln and President Barack Obama; some good, many strained. President Obama himself invoked Lincoln symbolism with his train ride into Washington, D.C., and in his inaugural speech.

This year is also the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth, which has spawned many new books and attention to Lincoln's memory. All of this, it seems, is accepted as no more than Lincoln's due. His greatness is accepted as settled fact, but why? Do we know Lincoln as well as we think we do? Is his greatness the result of a clear understanding of his accomplishments, or largely based on myth?

Please join us on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. in the library's Community Room when the East Longmeadow Public Library hosts Derek Maxfield, Associate Professor of history and political science at Capital Community College in Hartford, Conn., whose program will address the character and accomplishments of Abraham Lincoln. While challenging old myths, we will try to get a better handle on exactly why Lincoln is perceived as great.

Professor Maxfield of Springfield is also an adjunct professor of history at Western New England College in Springfield. His specialty is in 19th century American political and cultural history, with emphasis in the Civil War period.

The library is located at 60 Center Square in East Longmeadow and is handicapped accessible. For more information about this program please call 525-5400 ext. 153 during regular library hours.