Abe Lincoln's Legacy of Laughter: Humorous Stories by and about Abraham Lincoln

During the Civil War, it was said that two ladies on a train were discussing the likely outcome of the conflict. One insisted Jeff Davis would win the war because he was a praying man. The other replied, “But Abram’s a praying man.” ”But,” said the first, “the Lord will think Abram‘s joking.”

Abraham Lincoln used his jokes and stories to illustrate a point, sway opinion, and to sustain the national morale during a momentous crisis. Lincoln told many stories based on his own experiences, but...