Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
McCurdy creates powerful, large-scale black-and-white illustrations like those in his Giants in the Land to match Abraham Lincoln's classic speech in this handsome volume. On oversize pages, scenes of Lincoln delivering the address at the Gettysburg battlefield alternate with visualizations of the imagery contained in it. For example, a line of people carrying building tools marches across the pages as Lincoln proclaims that ``it is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work.'' As Lincoln concludes, resolving that ``government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth,'' the cheering crowd gazes out from the page into the future-a fitting conclusion to an American classic made new again. All ages. (Sept.)
School Library Journal
K Up-McCurdy brings the important words of America's 16th president to life for a new generation of children bombarded by violent acts. With just a few lines of Lincoln's speech per double-page spread, a pace is established that allows the language to sink in and take hold. The wood engravings, depicting sweeping panoramas and crowds that continue beyond the page, provide the dark serious tone and high drama appropriate for the subject. (Interestingly, wood engravings were the choice of Leonard Everett Fisher in his interpretation of The Gettysburg Address [Watts, 1963; o.p.]). The scenes alternate between the action of battle and the quiet artifacts left behind, from a parade of slaves-``all men are created equal,'' to a processional of spirited laborers-``dedicated...to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.'' These are interspersed with views of Lincoln addressing the crowd from various perspectives. A brief foreword by Gary Wills, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Lincoln at Gettysburg (S.&S., 1992) provides insight into the reason for the common burial ground. An afterword by the illustrator explains his family connection to the Civil War and, therefore, his inspiration. A valuable addition for every collection.-Wendy Lukehart, Dauphin County Library, Harrisburg, PA
