I have always loved to read. As a child, it was a means of escape, and a place to dream. My taste in what I read has changed. Maybe the correct term would be matured. I especially love books that teach me something, or enlighten me.
Today I am sharing 2 books that I especially enjoyed. The first, Lincoln the Unknown by Dale Carnegie is one that I have read a number of times. The second is the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Both I found to be very inspirational.
If you decide to give either, or both a try, I hope that you will enjoy them as much as I did. As for Lincoln the Unknown, I read it about every 2 to 3 years, and enjoy it each and every time. I have such a profound respect for President Lincoln. A perfect man, no. But a man who can still inspire us to reach for all that we were destined to be.
Thanks for the recommendations, Rhonda. I've had the Benjamin Franklin autobiography on my Kindle for years and read a few pages at a time. I have a few on Lincoln, too, but not the one you suggested. I share your admiration for both men. Here are two of my favorite anthologies of spiritual writings (both are out of print now, but used copies are available on Amazon; I'd get the hard copies as my paperbacks wore out eventually): "Living Water: An Anthology of Letters of Direction" by Robin Baird-Smith (I especially like the writings by the Abbe de Tourville) and "Near to the Heart of God" by Bernard Bangley (the greenish hardback with the bench on the cover). I own scads of devotional books that I cycle through throughout the years, but like cream, these two continue to rise to the top.
ReplyDeleteHi Cathy, I am reading through some of Corrie ten Boom's devotional books right now. I have truly enjoyed them. I'll be ready for a new devotional book soon and I will check out your recommendations. Thanks so much!
DeleteHave you heard about the new one by Doris Kearns Goodwin, 'Leadership in Turbulent Times'? I've hear her interviewed on a couple of NPR and other radio programs/podcasts- sounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the recommendation Liese. I will check it out!
DeleteRhonda I enjoyed your post and podcast about your favorite book.
ReplyDeleteThis year I began to get interested in researching the life and times of ancestors. This led me to many hours down a rabbit hole (not sewing related) reading historic newspapers. I ran across this article about Mrs. Sarah Donovan my 3x great aunt. She married
my 2x great grandfather after his first wife, her sister, died.
Mrs. Sarah Donovan was also a great admirer of Lincoln.
Hope you enjoy this: Susy Chesney, Bothell, Washington
OFTEN ENTERTAINED LINCOLN
Funeral of Mrs. Sarah Donovan, Aged Resident of Eldora.
Special to Times-Republican
Eldora, Feb 3. - Mrs. Sarah Donovan, an aged lady who has lived in Eldora for many years, was buried from the M.E. church in Eldora yesterday. For many years Mrs. Donovan had lived practically alone at her home in Eldora and her many friends tried in every way to make the last years of her life pleasant and comfortable. She was a devout member of the M.E. church. During the last several years she was confined in her home and practically helpless, and the members of the M.E.church and others took particular interest in her welfare and sought to see that she had proper care and the comforts of life.
In 1838 and 1839 Mrs. Donovan kept tavern at Vermillion Ill. Abraham Lincoln was a frequent guest at her place as he went on his way to Danville to practice in the circuit court. Mrs. Donovan related many interesting experiences of Lincoln’s visits to her place and ofter in telling with her friends recalled the stories which Lincoln used to tell and particularly his droll way of talking.
She Cooked for Lincoln.
Eldora correspondence St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Mrs. Sara Cooper Donovan of Eldora, who today is celebrating her eighty-ninth birthday, in her younger days had the distinction of having cooked dainties for Abraham Lincoln. That was in the days when Mr. Lincoln was poor, struggling lawyer in Illinois, before he rose in fame and before he became President. When Mrs. Donovan knew Lincoln he was commonly known as “Abe” Lincoln. and he had pretty hard sledding to make it go as a young attorney.
In her younger days Mrs. Donovan of this city was a resident of Georgetown and Danville, Ill., and it was there that she knew Lincoln. He frequently passed through Georgetown and attracted by the quiet, clean and attractive house kept by Mrs. Donovan and above all by her excellent cooking, he made it a point to stop at her place. In the little sitting room Lincoln prepared many of his speeches, told his stories, cracked his jokes and spun his yarns and anecdotes.
“Abe Lincoln was a mighty good man and a mighty good lawyer, and he made a mighty good President, and I am proud that I have often cooked hime his dinner.” declared Mrs. Donovan.
Oh Susy, thanks so much for sharing this! What an honor you must feel to be related to such a lovely woman. As I read the story, I just couldn't help but think of the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life." It could very well be that her kindness and generosity helped to propel Mr. Lincoln to the presidency.
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