Lincoln

Lincoln chronicles the crucial period in 1865 when President Abraham Lincoln worked to pass the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery. The narrative focuses on Lincoln's political maneuvering and personal struggles during this pivotal time in American history. The screenplay examines the relationships between Lincoln and his family, cabinet members, and political allies and opponents. Lincoln's interactions with his wife Mary, Secretary of State William Seward, and various Congressional leaders form the core of the narrative. The political process takes center stage as Lincoln and his team attempt to secure the necessary votes for the amendment's passage. The mechanics of 19th century American governance and deal-making are depicted in detail through backroom negotiations and floor debates. The work explores themes of moral compromise in pursuit of justice, the human cost of political change, and the intersection of personal conviction with public duty. Through Lincoln's journey, questions emerge about the nature of leadership during times of national transformation.

Readers praise the screenplay for depicting Lincoln as a complex political strategist rather than just a noble historical figure. Many highlight the realistic dialogue and behind-the-scenes negotiations. "The script reveals Lincoln's mastery of political horse-trading while maintaining his moral compass," notes one Amazon reviewer. Common criticisms include dense political discussions that can be hard to follow and some historical inaccuracies in the timeline of events. Several readers mention the script contains fewer dramatic moments than the film. Ratings: Amazon: 4.6/5 (562 reviews) Goodreads: 4.3/5 (1,247 reviews) Specific feedback: "Shows the messy reality of how laws get passed" - Goodreads reviewer "Too much focus on procedural details vs. character development" - Amazon reader "Kushner captures Lincoln's wit and storytelling abilities" - LibraryThing review The script prompted discussions about parallels between 1865's political compromises and modern congressional dealmaking.

Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin This political biography examines Lincoln's presidential cabinet through the lens of his relationships with former rivals, providing context for the decisions and leadership style depicted in Kushner's work.

Grant by Ron Chernow The book follows Lincoln's most trusted general through his military career and presidency, continuing the story of Civil War-era leadership and political transformation.

Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson This account chronicles the aftermath of Lincoln's assassination, expanding on the historical events that followed the period covered in Kushner's narrative.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith This alternative history reimagines Lincoln's life as a secret war against supernatural forces, offering a different perspective on the historical figure while maintaining focus on his core characteristics.

The Impeachment of Abraham Lincoln by Stephen L. Carter This alternate history explores what might have happened if Lincoln had survived his assassination attempt and faced impeachment, examining many of the same political tensions present in Kushner's work.

🎬 Tony Kushner wrote the screenplay for "Lincoln" specifically with Daniel Day-Lewis in mind, even before the actor was approached for the role. 👥 Kushner spent six years researching and writing the screenplay, drawing heavily from Doris Kearns Goodwin's biography "Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln." 🏆 The screenplay earned Tony Kushner an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2013. 📚 While the film focuses on Lincoln's final months in office, Kushner's original draft was 500 pages long—roughly three times the length of an average screenplay—and covered much more of Lincoln's life. 🎭 Before writing "Lincoln," Kushner was primarily known as a playwright, having won the Pulitzer Prize for his play "Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes."