Great addition to the parallel lives concept

The most thought-provoking and controversial parts are on the Lincoln side.

1. Was he really that much of, not just a moderate, but even a conservative, toward the "slave power" before, say, middle 1862? We have a solid argument for "yes" in this book.

2. Was Lincoln gay? The author himself says sexual lines were more fluid at that time, and never suggests that Lincoln actually had intercourse with Joshua Speed, nor does he call Lincoln gay. I'll go along with this, and say that one reviewer who is in a dander misread this part of the book.

3. Was Lincoln "white trash"? Stauffer argues the terminology was in use at that time and was used about Lincoln. And, if it didn't have all the connotations of today, it had enough. Before he left his father's home, did the shoe fit? Is it fair to use the phrase? I'd say a qualified yes.

But, what about Douglass? Was he a bit of a "sellout" in late life? Was he a bit of a glory hound?

This is generally good revisionist history. Give it a read.