mr. brookhiser to the stage that you make sure that anything that makes noise like a cell phone is switched off, and now please do join me in welcoming richard brookhiser to the stage. [applause] >> thank you, louise, for that -- i'm being adjusted here. [laughter] they didn't need this stuff in the 19th century. they also didn't need to tell people to be quiet, because they wouldn't. [laughter]th it's always a pleasure and an honor to be here at the historical society. i just want to thank some people who are in the room; my publicist from basic, cassie nelson. basic books has done a terrific job with this book. it's handsome, they're really publishing it well. i couldn't be happier. roger hertog, i'll embracer him again -- embarrass him again. he particularly was very generous supporting the publicity of this book, very grateful l.ppor lew lehrman, whom i've known since 1982. he gave me crucial early advice when i was trying to find my way through the land of lincoln. there have been 15,000 books published on lincoln. i guess now 15,001, and so one does need help. lou was very generous wi