Discuss The House of Lincoln by Nancy Horan

Aug. 07, 2023
by victormccormicke32335

"The future depended on marriage. Marriage meant you had a plan." What do you think of this statement? Do you agree it was true at the time? How much has this changed in today’s United States?

Jul. 13, 2023
by marianned

What would have happened, do you think, if Lincoln hadn't been elected president? How would the United States be different if he hadn’t been assassinated?

Jul. 13, 2023
by marianned

Did you learn anything new about the historical figures in the book? Did your opinion of them change? Were any new to you? Were there real-life individuals presented who you would like to know more about?

Jul. 13, 2023
by marianned

Overall, what do you think of The House of Lincoln? (no spoilers in this thread)

Jul. 13, 2023
by julieo

Author’s writing style

Jul. 05, 2023
by bettyt

Do you agree that debates are like boxing matches? Do you believe they add value to the public’s understanding of the candidates, or are they an outdated tradition?

Jun. 26, 2023
by bettyt

Reverend Magee says, "In another hundred years…I believe that prejudice shall have been banished as a myth and relegated to the dark days of Salem witchcraft." In what ways do you think his prediction has come true, or not?

Jun. 26, 2023
by sylviala

Mary Lincoln refers to a tradition that "once a man is chosen as the presidential candidate, he no longer gives speeches". How do you think that helped or hurt a candidate in the 1850s? What about today?

Jun. 26, 2023
by sylviala

What would have happened if popular sovereignty had become law? In your opinion, what types of issues should be decided within each state, and which at the federal level?

Jun. 25, 2023
by sylviala

As Lincoln leaves for Washington, he tells his audience, "I go to assume a task more difficult than that which devolved upon General Washington." Do you agree with him?

Jun. 25, 2023
by sylviala

Ana worries that the race riot of 1908 will become a "condemned memory that will be unknown in fifty years" Do you believe shameful historical incidents do get permanently forgotten, or are they only suppressed temporarily?

Jun. 25, 2023
by sylviala

"That was what you did in America. You started at low wages toiling for somebody else, but with hard work, in a year or two, you could have employees working for you." How possible was this then? What about now?

Jun. 25, 2023
by sylviala

Would Genoveva have been happier if she'd tried to adapt to her new circumstances? Do you have first-hand experience with people who've permanently moved to a new country, and if so, how did they adjust?

Jun. 25, 2023
by LS

Why do you suppose Cal decides against corresponding with Ana?

Jun. 25, 2023
by LS

What about the novel surprised you? Did you learn anything new about the time period?

Jun. 25, 2023
by LS

Ana thinks that Lincoln "was born in a time and place where race prejudice was learned early on" yet he overcame his biases. How do you think we can identify our own prejudices, and how do we become more tolerant?

Jun. 25, 2023
by LS

"If A can prove…that he may of right enslave B, why may not B snatch the same argument and prove equally that he may enslave A?" Why do you think Lincoln's logic failed to sway more of the population?

Jun. 24, 2023
by LS

How do you imagine Robert viewed Abraham as a father and as a politician?

Jun. 20, 2023
by bettyt

Spencer and his brother consider moving to Chicago but ultimately, they decide to return to Springfield. What would you have done in their place, and why?

Jun. 18, 2023
by erical

The House of Lincoln

Discuss The House of Lincoln by Nancy Horan

Recommending other books about President Lincoln

"The future depended on marriage. Marriage meant you had a plan." What do you think of this statement? Do you agree it was true at the time? How much has this changed in today’s United States?

What would have happened, do you think, if Lincoln hadn't been elected president? How would the United States be different if he hadn’t been assassinated?

Did you learn anything new about the historical figures in the book? Did your opinion of them change? Were any new to you? Were there real-life individuals presented who you would like to know more about?

Overall, what do you think of The House of Lincoln? (no spoilers in this thread)

Author’s writing style

Do you agree that debates are like boxing matches? Do you believe they add value to the public’s understanding of the candidates, or are they an outdated tradition?

Reverend Magee says, "In another hundred years…I believe that prejudice shall have been banished as a myth and relegated to the dark days of Salem witchcraft." In what ways do you think his prediction has come true, or not?

Mary Lincoln refers to a tradition that "once a man is chosen as the presidential candidate, he no longer gives speeches". How do you think that helped or hurt a candidate in the 1850s? What about today?

What would have happened if popular sovereignty had become law? In your opinion, what types of issues should be decided within each state, and which at the federal level?

As Lincoln leaves for Washington, he tells his audience, "I go to assume a task more difficult than that which devolved upon General Washington." Do you agree with him?

Ana worries that the race riot of 1908 will become a "condemned memory that will be unknown in fifty years" Do you believe shameful historical incidents do get permanently forgotten, or are they only suppressed temporarily?

"That was what you did in America. You started at low wages toiling for somebody else, but with hard work, in a year or two, you could have employees working for you." How possible was this then? What about now?

Would Genoveva have been happier if she'd tried to adapt to her new circumstances? Do you have first-hand experience with people who've permanently moved to a new country, and if so, how did they adjust?

Why do you suppose Cal decides against corresponding with Ana?

What about the novel surprised you? Did you learn anything new about the time period?

Ana thinks that Lincoln "was born in a time and place where race prejudice was learned early on" yet he overcame his biases. How do you think we can identify our own prejudices, and how do we become more tolerant?

"If A can prove…that he may of right enslave B, why may not B snatch the same argument and prove equally that he may enslave A?" Why do you think Lincoln's logic failed to sway more of the population?

How do you imagine Robert viewed Abraham as a father and as a politician?

Spencer and his brother consider moving to Chicago but ultimately, they decide to return to Springfield. What would you have done in their place, and why?

Sorry, The House of Lincoln by Nancy Horan is closed for new posts.
Please go to bookbrowse.com/booktalk for a full list of conversations.

Discuss The House of Lincoln by Nancy Horan

Sorry, The House of Lincoln by Nancy Horan is closed for new posts.Please go to bookbrowse.com/booktalk for a full list of conversations.

Sorry, The House of Lincoln by Nancy Horan is closed for new posts.
Please go to bookbrowse.com/booktalk for a full list of conversations.