Abraham Lincoln and the London Punch Cartoons, Comments and Poems, Published in the London Charivari, During the American Civil War (1861-1865)

These pages bring the bite‑and‑wit of Victorian satire to life, gathering the most memorable cartoons, verses and short essays that London’s Punch magazine poured onto its sketches of Abraham Lincoln and the American war. Listeners will hear how the British satirist’s pen turned the President into a larger‑than‑life “American Juggernaut,” while simultaneously poking fun at both Union and Confederate excesses, the draft, and the political theatre of the era.

The collection is framed by a brief essay on the nature of laughter as a social mirror, setting the tone for the lively material that follows. Through vivid descriptions of inked satire, the listener can imagine the humor that crossed the Atlantic, revealing how a distant public both admired and mocked the unfolding conflict. It’s a glimpse into the cultural conversation of the 1860s, where caricature served as both commentary and coping mechanism.