The Perfect Tribute

by Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Civil War, Historical Fiction, Historical, American

Paperback

First published January 1, 1906

About the author

Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews was an American writer best known for a widely read short story about Abraham Lincoln, often printed as a small volume called The Perfect Tribute. She published many works between 1906 and 1930.

She married William Shankland Andrews, judge of the New York Court of Appeals. They had one child. Their estate, Wolf Hollow, is extant at Taunton, New York.

Reviews

[Lisa of Troy]

Unannotated Book in F. Scott Fitzgerald's College of One

[Lizard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the 1908 edition on one of my Mom’s bookshelves. Forty-three years after the Gettysburg Address, this little work of fiction sheds light on what Lincoln must have felt at the time he wrote and delivered the Gettysburg Address. It seems especially pertinent today, as the soundness of our democracy is stretched almost to its limits.

[Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet, this little fiction surrounding the creation of the Gettysburg Address will remind you of old-school US History class and still being young enough to believe in heroes of the past. A gem.

[Leon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice short look into Abraham Lincoln and the Gettysburg's address. Lincoln is a very cool president.

[Rob · Rating 1 out of 5]

So this was the early 20th century equivalent of a Hallmark movie. Sentimental, schlocky, melodramatic, historically inaccurate, but oddly moving at moments.

[Taylor Emerick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found a copy of the 1908 illustrated edition.

"The field of yesterday, the speech, the deep silence which followed it, all were illuminated, as his mind went back, with new meaning. With the realization that the stillness had meant, not indifference, but perhaps, as this generous enemy had said, "The most perfect tribute ever paid by any people to any orator," there came to him a rush of glad strength to bear the burdens of the nation."

"Other men have spoken stirring words, for the North and for the South, but never before, I think, with the love of both breathing through them. It is only the greatest who can be a partisan without bitterness, and only such to-day may call himself not Northern or Southern, but American. To feel that your enemy can fight you to death without malice, but charity---it lifts country, it lifts humanity to something worth dying for."

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short, but meaningful little text captures the significance of the Gettysburg Address and Lincoln's overall character traits. As it is written very early in the 20th century, it is interesting to consider how much/little the US's viewpoint of Lincoln (the man himself and his presidency), the Gettysburg Address, and the Civil War has changed over the last 100+ years. Worthwhile quick, but significant read.

[Angel *angelwraps* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely!

This story is beautiful. I have seen the movie and it is wonderful, so I was very excited to find the book. I read it to my sons tonight. Perfect read aloud! I was not at all disappointed. So very happy to have found it!

[Annie Carrott Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fictional “what if” that takes place the day after Lincoln’s giving of The Gettysburg Address. Written in 1906, it still rings true and clear and is worth the few minutes spent in reading the 48 pages.

[Shari Besser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this little book. It made me feel great again about being a patriotic American.

[Seth P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never heard of this little volume and my Dad gave it to me tonight and said you should read this. Wow! What a story! Perfect for this 4th of July weekend!

[Stuart]

A very short, melodramatic fictionalization. The short story certainly reflects the sentiment of its time.

[Kendell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting fast read and the impact of the Gettysburg address according to Lincoln’s perspective and a dying soldier.

[ROSEMARY L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everybody should read

The Gettysburg Address is one of the best ever made. But Lincoln didn't think so. The crowd didn't react. Then Lincoln met a.

[Boots LookingLand · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is not badly written, but is bad in general. It's a fictional account of Lincoln's day at Gettysburg and how insecure he feels about his pithy little speech and how no one applauds and therefore it was a complete failure. Scholars have interesting things to say about why no one applauded, but I will leave it at Andrews' interpretation for the purpose of this review.

The story goes from there back to Washington where Lincoln runs headlong into a young boy in a dither over his dying brother: a Confederate prisoner who needs a will so that he can leave his property to his sweetheart and she will therefore be forced to accept it (otherwise she's too prideful). Lincoln, being a lawyer, volunteers his services and they go to the prison where he draws up the business for the bravely suffering young man. In the course of their conversation, the soldier brings up the Gettysburg speech, which is in all the papers, and he talks about how astonishing it is, blah blah blah. And of course he says that not clapping was the perfect tribute because the words were so perfect and so solemn. He talks about how he'd like to shake the President's hand, he's so dern grateful. Then the fella kicks the bucket holding Lincoln's hand, never knowing it's him.

The story works, even if it is melodrama. Its apotheosic (is that a word? I doubt it) bent is only mildly disturbing and the depiction of the two southern boys as righteous, indignant, but well-meaning is a rather dull stereotype. But in 1906 I can certainly see the appeal and I enjoyed the story despite my own prejudices.

So happy birthday, Mr. Lincoln. Enjoy your celebration year!

[Dick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just picked this book up from a living history museum. It offers some insights on the time leading up to and including November 19, 1863 and Lincoln's message there. Good personal information. One flaw though . . . the book indicates that Lincoln wrote the address while on the train and polished after he arrived in Gettysburg. That is not so. He started working on the speech well before that, refined it on the way there and further refined while in Gettysburg.

[Greta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Black history month is February, unfortunately the shortest month of the year, but I try to make the most of it by focusing entirely on African-American authors and literature related to Black history like this little gem.

[Elijah Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

As many people know, I love studying President Lincoln, and I love very detailed and in depth books. I still think this is a good book, but I didn't find it astounding, and in the end, it only told one simple story about a topic that should receive much more attention.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting especially with what's going on with the country now!

[glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that moved me to tears. It was a great and an encouraging short read!

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short account of Lincoln's speech at Gettysburg.

[Kevin Keating · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short little book about Lincoln found in my mom's bookcase. Had no idea it was the most-sold book about Lincoln and adapted into two movies. Good book. Nice writing.

[Marissa Ebora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short read and inspirational!