2010 will be remembered as Lincoln Bicentennial + 1. Many wondered, after the enthusiasm and events of 2009, how much interest would there be in Lincoln in 2010? I can attest that the interest and curiosity about A. Lincoln continues.
First, I am grateful for invitations to some remarkable speaking events, including:
- The Society of Four Arts, Palm Beach, Florida
- Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas
- Gerald Ford Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan
- 175th Anniversary Convocation at Marietta College in Ohio
- Senator Mark O. Hatfield Distinguished Historians Lecture, Portland, Oregon
- Whitworth University, Spokane, Washington
- Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons, Washington, DC
- Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, Maryland
- Jimmy Carter Library, Atlanta, Georgia
- Abraham Lincoln Bookshop, Chicago, Illinois
- Lee Park & Arlington Hall Conservancy, Dallas, Texas
- Hawaii Interfaith Alliance Awards Banquet, Honolulu, Hawaii
The event in Hawaii in November proved to be one of the most remarkable experiences of the year. I came away with a new understanding of Barack Obama’s vision of diversity gained from growing up in a state where no one ethnic group dominates. While in Hawaii I also was privileged to speak at The Community Church of Honolulu, The Windward Coalition of Churches, in addition to speaking to high school students at the Pacific Buddhist Academy. Please see photographs below.
Second, A. Lincoln: A Biography was published as a paperback on May 5, 2010. Random House sent me on a paperback book tour (an unusual occurrence) to Baltimore, Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles. In December the paperback went into a 2nd printing.
The Community Church of Honolulu is a leading congregation in Honolulu.
Teaching at the Pacific Buddhist Academy. Standing left to right: Carol Helekunihi, Social Studies Teacher; Flynn Corson, Dean of Students; Dr. White; Helson Bopp, class of 2014; Alan Goto, President of the Hongwanji Buddhist Temple.
