''Abraham Lincoln was a member of the Illinois Legislature from 1834 to 1842 -- one of the Long Nine, as the Sangamon County delegation was known, all its members being more than six feet tall. It was during these eight years that he came as close to scandal as he was ever to come in his public or private life. Did he, or did he not, engage in shameless logrolling to get the state capital moved to Springfield? This and other aspects of Lincoln's apprenticeship in the legislator . . . are thoroughly investigated.'' -- Chicago Sun-Times ''The wealth of detail it contains makes it a worthwhile addition to the study of Lincoln's legislative career.'' -- Los Angeles Times