BOOK OF THE WEEK: WEEK THIRTY-EIGHT, 2011

Abraham Lincoln, Speeches and Writings 1859-1865: Speeches, Letters, Miscellaneous Writings: Presidential Messages and Proclamations (New York: Library of America, 1989) (From a letter to John M. Brockman, dated September 25, 1860: "Dear Sir: Yours of the 24th. asking 'the best mode of obtaining a through knowledge of the law" is received. The mode is very simple, though laborious, and tedious. It is only to get the books, and read, and study them carefully. Begin with Blackstone's Commentaries, and after reading it carefully through, say twice, take up Chitty's Pleading, Greenleaf's Evidence, & Story's Equity &c. in succession. Work, work, work, is the main thing. Yours very truly . . . ." Id. at 180.).