I don’t know anyone who doesn’t think that Abraham Lincoln was a great president. He also suffered from depression. For anyone who has struggled with depression, or who’s just had to go through some difficult circumstances, “Lincoln’s Melancholy” by Joshua Shenk is a fantastic read that offers real hope.Not only was Lincoln depressed to the point of being suicidal many times, his endurance and subsequent greatness should convince us all that you can be productive and feel desperately sad at the same time.

Now that doesn’t mean it was easy for Lincoln or that everyone who is depressed is promised to go on to achieve great things… but it’s possible. Shenk does a great job of pulling together extensive research in a way that is fairly readable and interesting.

The perfect gift for your counselor, history buff or social working friends.