I attended (with four Ashbrooks) this very good conference on Lincoln,
Lincoln for the Ages, at Washington & Lee University. It was Lucas Morel's baby, and he did a fine job in both conceiving the thing and administering it. (Thanks Lucas, for your hospitality.) As you can see from the list of panelists, all the thoughtful scholars were there, and all performed serious. I hope none of them will be offended, however, if I assert that Justice Clarence Thomas (who gave the keynote address in the packed Lee Chapel) stole the show. You can listen to it
here. Truth and poetry, call it what you will, but I thought it was one of the finest talks on Lincoln I have ever heard. Breathtaking in its beauty, pith and purpose.
Here, here! It was a great 'lil conference...Virginians like myself were happy to be able to attend. The only problem was that in the spirit of 2009, I couldn't let myself buy any of the very tempting books being sold there by the conference participants. Particularly enticing was Michael Burlingame's new two-volume Lincoln bio...the man's magnum opus, and if you don't already own Lucas Morel's (non-doorstop) Lincoln book, (it's on his approach to religion) I will highly recommend that one, which I have read.
PWS, you're on my bad list! I wish you would have announced this earlier, for I might have bopped a few hours up to Lexington! Phooey on you! (If you did, I take it all back!)
I don't remember if I did or not, Tony. If I didn't, let the world know how stupid I am. Very sorry.
PWS ~ hardly, hardly "stupid." Too strong. Merely consumed by many duties. I looked at the link and really regretted not attending. Looked awesome ~ glad it went well! But, hey, I can listen to it online it looks like! Thanks for the posting and link!