In 2008 Illinois and the nation commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Lincoln-Douglas debates. Georgiann Baldino's book shows why the campaign has such enduring importance. In 1858 Lincoln began his campaign for the Illinois Senate seat by following Douglas around to take advantage of the crowds Douglas drew. The candidates wrangled for 21 hours on seven stages to gain support for differing views of America's future.
The book is "a must for the amateur historian struggling to understand the significance of the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates. Baldino draws the reader into the narrative while giving an excellent accounting of why the debates were important and still are pertinent today."
Vickie Cleverley Speek, historian and author of “God Has Made Us a Kingdom” James Strang and the Midwest Mormons (Signature Books, 2006)
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By livingchas
Oct 15, 2009
"Following Lincoln as He Followed Douglas by Georgiann Baldino" What a pleasure to read this modern reflection on the geography of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates. Studying the debates in school gave me their words. Reading Ms. Baldino's book gave me their audiences, their pieces of the world, and a sense of continuity. Those listeners are my friends and colleagues. They are my family. They are, in their connections to one another, also a part of me. As the photographs span the years from past to present, the ideas move right along with them. My concerns in this election year are their concerns of 150 years ago - truth, strength, kindness, good sense, family and community, plus wondering how to encourage our government to truly be "for the people." This book celebrates the past within the context of the present. History has seldom felt so personal or so inspiring.
"Following Lincoln as He Followed Douglas by Baldino" A travel log and history lesson all in one. Her comments and pictures actually take you to the sites of the seven debates as they are now. You are seeing the sites through her eyes as she comments on her impressions and the emotions evoked by walking in their steps. There is just enough history of the times to help you understand the setting, characters, and importance of these historical debates. Just enough to whet your appetite for more.
