In Review: Lincoln's Better Angel by David Selby

Prepare to meet President Lincoln.  And, be prepared to view him from a fresh, passionate, and unexpected perspective.

Lincoln's Better Angel was my first encounter with David Selby's written work, and he caught me by surprise.  Honestly, I read the book because of his association with one of the few (very, very few) television shows I've ever been a sincere fan of. That would be Dark Shadows, not Falcon Crest.  I barely remember Falcon Crest.  He arrived on the show (per my research) in 1982.  I was busy that year, graduating from  high school, on my 18th birthday, beginning my first paid newspaper job, and readying for college.

Other than work and school, the 80s through the early 90s are a blur.  Falcon Crest didn't even begin to rate on my list of interests, but Dark Shadows, and its players ... well, that never went anywhere.  It just sat there, waiting patiently for those rare moments when I had a chance to zone out with a few reruns, when I should have been sleeping, or studying. 

I didn't indulge often, but when I did, it was always worth my while.  By then, the scary parts had become nearly comic for me, viewing as an adult.  Believe me, as a mortician, I developed a very healthy appreciation for Dark Shadows to take the edge off of reality.  I'm all about replacing a heartache with a smile any day, and Dark Shadows was often the tonic that did that for me.  

And so, I did some studying on David Selby because he's continued to come up in cross-referencing this past month.  It's been a year since Jonathan Frid's passing, as I continue to mention  on femme's desk, on facebook, Google+, and anywhere else I can think to put it, because his fans are nominating him DAILY through April 30th, to get the man his rightful place on the Canadian Walk of Fame. (Gimme a minute while I catch my breath ... )

During my browsing, I came across some info on Mr. Selby (actually Dr. Selby, PhD), and discovered he not only acts, he writes.  Then I was REALLY surprised to learn he's from a state neighboring my much loved-homeland of Kentucky.  Mr. Selby is a West Virginian.  How cool is that?  But, what the heck happened to his accent?  I know scads of West Virginians, and I nearly need an interpreter to understand them.  I'm a Kentuckian, and we're just as thick in accents, but I daresay, the West Virginians have us beat.  Maybe he was like me, and got teased about it in college, and put in a grand effort to mute it.  Worked for me.  Now I can turn it on and off like a faucet.

Back to his book (sorry for the side-ride, and thanks for bearing with me), Dr. Selby's has a U.S. Marine in his story that you really ought to meet.  And when you do, you're going to like him.  In fact, you'll probably LOVE him, want to hug him, and have a mad desire to climb into the story yourself to help him put things to rights.

From chapter to chapter I watched this Marine, soaked up his words and felt his thoughts flutter across my heart.  I've seen this Marine.  If you're from a Corps family, or tight with leathernecks, I'm betting you've seen him too.

This Marine is as familiar as my father's aftershave, and he wears the same uniform as my dad, and my Godfathers, and so many other family and friends.

Dr. Selby amazed me with his perception of the Marine.  He wove such intense truth into him, that in places, observing the Marine, and sharing his feelings made my heart hammer, took my breath away, and brought me to tears.

Thankfully, he produced some smiles and relief too.  I'm saddened that my father isn't alive for me to present him with a copy.  He would have enjoyed this book as much as I have.

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To get better acquainted with Dr. Selby's work, click here, or click any of his pics.  I'm making it easy for you.

President Lincoln is gonna get up close and personal in this one.  Dr. Selby will make it so you can nearly reach out and touch the man.  And, when he brings you along, to join the two on the battlefield, ah well ... I'd say you're in for a treat, but in truth, you're in for a gut-wrencher, that will have you fanning the smoke out of your eyes so you can keep reading, line after line, worried and wondering about what's to happen next.

The surprise in meeting Mr. Lincoln (past the actual surprise in meeting Mr. Lincoln) is opening of doors and the shedding of light on how things REALLY were with this president.  

Lincoln's Better Angel

History is presented in the way the victors want it presented.  And sadly, that's often how it comes across in the classrooms.  Thankfully, there are those, like Dr. Selby, who have made grand effort in maintaining the truth of things, even when the truth isn't pretty.

So, strap yourself in for a ride.  I've spent a good amount of time in D.C., but this was a brand new way of touring it with riveting company.  Next time I'm there, I'll not be viewing it the same, ever again.  Chances are, you won't either.

Read this book, and neither will you.  There is a message in it, a truth, a reality that is profoundly important.  Everyone should make an effort to have the knowledge of it, and pass it on.  You can purchase it by either clicking the pick, the link below it, or by clicking on Dr. Selby's name, up top in the content, which will take you directly to his website. 

Finishing up, please don't forget to nominate Jonathan Frid to be on the Canadian Walk of Fame.  You can nominate him daily up until April 30th, 2013.

Remember, Mr. Frid was a WWII Veteran, as well as an outstanding entertainer and educator.

He's earned the star, and he should have it.  Link's embedded for you in his pic, or the button below.  Fill out about three tiny fields on the site, and you're all set!

Click here to nominate

Thank you for reading, and please buy Dr. Selby's book!  Your library will thank you.

God bless you, and please don't forget to thank a veteran at your next opportunity.