Abe Lincoln's Legacy of Laughter: Humorous Stories by and about Abraham Lincoln by Paul M. Zall (editor)

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Abe Lincoln's Legacy of Laughter consists of stories, jokes, and anecdotes on a wide range of topics by and about Abraham Lincoln before and after he became president. Establishing which tales are authentic and which are frauds and delusions, the book (substantial revision of P.M. Zall's 1982 classic, Abe Lincoln Laughing) includes stories derived from Lincoln's writings and speeches; writings by others up to April 1865; post-Civil War writings by those who knew him; and writings by others about Lincoln in later decades, including a sample from the twentieth century. Within each group, entries are arranged in the order in which they appeared in print. Included are notes, a bibliography, an index of the entries by section, and a subject index.

As the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial approaches, many are focusing on Lincoln's ideals and contributions to America and the world. This volume will remind readers of another distinctive, timeless trait that marked him as nearly unique among our political leaders: the quick wit and wry sense of humor that helped him lead the nation during one of its darkest periods.