Yes, I thought about this speech after the Haley incident. My favorite part is this:
"Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came."
First off, I'm feeling bemused by the fact that of the stories you shared in your 1/8/24 collection of essays, stories someone (like me) might have missed, I chose to read this one first. Kingsolver is one of my all-time favorite writers, and I have long marveled at her ability to weave facts into storytelling, and the other way around. I read a comment on another 'Stack the other day that went something like this: "This is so beautiful that it makes me want to scratch every word I've ever written from the internet." That, I'm sure, is not the point. But, yes -- it is equal parts humbling and inspiring to read the words of masters like these.
It's always a pleasure to read great passages. My favorite Lincoln speech is his Second Inaugural. It may be my all time favorite speech.
https://www.battlefields.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/Lincoln%20Second%20Inagural%20Address.pdf
So powerful. I've never read it before. Lincoln pretty much puts to rest the notion that the Civil War wasn't about slavery. He clearly says it was.
Yes, I thought about this speech after the Haley incident. My favorite part is this:
"Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came."
Yes, mine, too. Brilliant and heartbreaking.
First off, I'm feeling bemused by the fact that of the stories you shared in your 1/8/24 collection of essays, stories someone (like me) might have missed, I chose to read this one first. Kingsolver is one of my all-time favorite writers, and I have long marveled at her ability to weave facts into storytelling, and the other way around. I read a comment on another 'Stack the other day that went something like this: "This is so beautiful that it makes me want to scratch every word I've ever written from the internet." That, I'm sure, is not the point. But, yes -- it is equal parts humbling and inspiring to read the words of masters like these.
I'm so glad it spoke to you! I worried when I first put Kingsolver's quote in there that maybe it only spoke to me.
Should have known! 💕