Richard Salzman Salzman itibaren Nagapuri, Telangana 506223, Hindistan
Shenk's book is an interesting biography of Lincoln, examining the possibility that Lincoln suffered from (what would be termed nowadays) unipolar depression. But, the book is much more -- it's also a social history of the US, looking at how the understanding and conception of depression, mental illness, and such have changed over the last century or so. Shenk does an excellent job of staying close to the facts, and not wandering off into idle speculation, a flaw of many other "psycho-biographies." Those interested in history will find much gold in here. Melancholics may find some comfort that depression doesn't have to be debilitating. Sometimes, it can be the very thing that allows one to do great things.
My favorite Vonnegut book. He has a lot to say about the prevailing flaws of humans. Utopia? Dystopia? Apocalypse? redemption?