Lincoln Douglas debates

[gchristie]

While in the library the other day I saw a boxed set of CDs with David Strathairn as Lincoln and Richard Dreyfus as Douglas supposedly recreating the debates.

I'm wondering if anyone has heard of this, listened to it, can recommend it?

I was struck by the production of the CDs as per my understanding neither Lincoln or Douglas wrote out their speeches and that reporters in the day did not take down the debates verbatim. So I'm wondering about the source material.

And, given the current state of political discourse in the US about the reach of the federal government the topic seems particularly timely as Lincoln and Douglas debated this very point re: role of the federal government in making internal improvements and its ability to levy taxes to pay for railroads, canals, bridges, etc.

Appreciate any light anyone can shed on this topic and definitely not looking to generate heat on this topic

Happy New Year to all. Be safe and have a great time.

Cheers

[Mickey3D]

I was struck by the production of the CDs as per my understanding neither Lincoln or Douglas wrote out their speeches and that reporters in the day did not take down the debates verbatim. So I'm wondering about the source material.

I found this from the Library of Congress. Pdf version is here.

Happy New Year.

[gchristie]

Thank you Mickey3D