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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — World-renowned Boston-based historian Doris Kearns Goodwin spends her time in the company of history — but one specific Commander-in-Chief has taken up more of her time than any other: Abraham Lincoln. She's been looking at the life of Lincoln for a quarter-century.
The Pulitzer-Prize winning historian sat down with WBZ NewsRadio's Laurie Kirby ahead of Presidents' Day to talk over the 16th president's better, and more surprising qualities.
"Humor was the life-affirming quality, that when he was sad, he could tell a funny story, and he could laugh," she said. "I think that combination of melancholy and humor is something that I hadn't fully realized when I started working on him 25 years ago...I didn't realize how fun it would be to live by his side," she continued.
Goodwin said Lincoln's resilience, humility, and ability to own up to his mistakes made him truly great.
A new docuseries about Lincoln is airing right now on the History Channel. It's based on Kearns Goodwin's book Leadership in Turbulent Times. It started airing on Sunday. New episodes air Monday and Tuesday at 8 p.m.
WBZ's Madison Rogers (@madisonwbz) has more:
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