Nearly 150 years after his death, Abraham Lincoln

consistently ranks at or near the top of every poll of America's best, most admired, or most popular president ever. The U.S. Mint will issue four new Lincoln cent designs in 2009. A yearlong celebration has been organized and supported by the congressionally established Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.

In the midst of all the excitement and commemoration

debuts Fred Reed's outstanding new work, Abraham Lincoln: The Image of His Greatness. Beautifully illustrated in full color, with hundreds of private and public images, Reed's book explores the popular depiction of Lincoln as "ideal, idol, and icon." The martyred president is seen on coins, tokens, medals, postage stamps, and paper money — and also in oil paintings, magazine covers, popular advertisements, political cartoons, and other diverse media.