Welcome to the Official Website of Author and Lincoln Scholar
What Readers Are Saying...
Quiet Fire is a major contribution to Lincoln scholarship, and an intriguing, well crafted, and thoughtful read. Newcomer is a master jeweler, holding Lincoln as a multi-faceted diamond and turning his subject to show us the many facets of Lincoln’s spirituality. As a scholar-poet-psychotherapist-minister, he is uniquely qualified to reveal Lincoln’s spirituality in a way that is perceptive, sensitive, honest, and far ranging. Lincoln is complicated, especially his spirituality, and a linear treatment wouldn't do justice. So, it takes a multi-faceted author to properly address a multi-faceted subject.
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-Dr. Wayne Baker, Professor, University of Michigan​
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The main argument is very persuasive, and it is full of local insights. The chief thing I learned from this book is a new, non-dogmatic, non-denominational way to feel the power of religious themes (...) in politics and culture. [Newcomer has] a lot more to say about the religious quality of Lincoln's thinking than any one else I've read.
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-​Dr. John Burt, Professor of English, Brandeis University,
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[Newcomer has] produced a really interesting study of Lincoln, from an angle that is (as far as I know) unique. [Newcomer has] not only [examined Abraham Lincoln's] spirituality, but [reflected] on the nature of spirituality itself, and its possible roles in shaping character, values, behavior, [and] world view.
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-Dr. Richard Slotkin, Professor of American Studies, Wesleyan University & author of 'Abe: A Novel of the Young Lincoln' (2000)
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About the Author
Duncan Newcomer is a poet, psychotherapist and Ordained Minister in the United Church of Christ. In all these roles he teaches, searching to share a language of relationship that brings love to life. His poems have appeared in The Christian Century, The Smith, Gone Soft, and other journals. As a therapist, in addition to his private practice, he co-founded The Center for the Masculine Spiritual Journey in Connecticut, where he was also the Director of the Old Lyme Pastoral Counseling Center for a number of years. Rev. Dr. Newcomer has served United Churches of Christ and Presbyterian churches in Connecticut; Washington, DC; and Kentucky. He holds a Masters in Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and a Doctorate in Ministry from the Chicago Theological Seminary. He and his partner, the writer and teacher Rebecca Jessup, live in Belfast, Maine.
editorial Reviews
A timely echo of Lincoln's voice--to remind us of what Americans, at their best, aspire to be.
Richard S. Slotkin, author of Abe: A Novel of the Young Lincoln (2000)
Interviews
Upcoming Events
Hear Duncan on "Maine Calling"
Tuesday, February 17th - 11 AM
and rebroadcast at 8 PM
I will be one of three very different Lincoln People on this Presidents' Day program.
My focus will be on how we step into the spiritual life dynamics of Lincoln now.
HOW Lincoln would be and WHY,
not WHAT would Lincoln do.
On line listening (if you don't use your radio call numbers) is
MAINECALLING.ORG and click on the "all streaming" or 'wave' icon at the upper right of the screen.
If you want to call in, and they encourage it: 1-800-399-3566
or email at TALK@MAINEPUBLIC.ORG
"Our time is becoming like his time
and his way is helpful to our way"
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