Characters Matter

Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis were fascinating figures—precisely the kind of characters a novelist needs to carry a story. Both presidents had strong personalities, enormous drive, and inner confidence. They were also strikingly different people. Perfect for storytelling.

In Maelstrom, I strived to give Lincoln and Davis equal billing. I got the idea from the 1979 novel, Kane and Abel, by Jeffrey Archer. There are always two sides to a story, and Archer did a masterful job of alternating chapters between characters to present the alternative perspectives. The idea intrigued me, and I used it in Tempest at Dawn, my dramatization of the Constitutional Convention. Although it requires extensive preplanning of chapters, it is an excellent technique for presenting opposing views.

There are no more strident opposing views than in a civil war. In Maelstrom, I alternate chapters between Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, allowing the two narratives to show how each dealt with the same issues, countered the other’s moves, led their respective governments, and used their political powers to sway the outcome. Maelstrom is the entire Civil War told exclusively from the points of view of Lincoln and Davis.

Maelstrom tells the story of the greatest rivalry in American history. A rivalry that sustained the Union, settled the unfinished legal aspects of the Constitution, and radically advanced the horror of war.

Two willful presidents squared off against each other. In truth, neither survived.

But the nation endured … and grew stronger.

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Lincoln as an inventor and technology buff: Part 1

Abraham Lincoln had a great interest in innovation and technology. He even presented a lecture entitled “Discoveries and Inventions.” In fact, he is the only president to be awarded a patent. The diagram above is part of his patent application. His invention was a system of inflatable buoys designed to help boats to navigate shallow waters and cross sandbars. Lincoln's experiences with rivers and his interest in technology inspired his invention. Although Lincoln received a patent in May 1849, when he was a congressman, his device was never manufactured. The Smithsonian has a replica model of the device (below). While serving in Washington, Lincoln visited the patent office often to view “Discoveries and Inventions.” The next post will address his lecture on "Discoveries and Inventions." Read all about it!

Memorandum of Certain Facts for Those Who Follow After

The following memorandum explains how Lincoln's lecture on "Discoveries and Inventions" was preserved for posterity. I found a couple of things interesting about this memo. I have read accounts claiming that Mary and Lincoln argued on the morning of his departure from Springfield and, needing to be on time, he left without her. This argument was cited as the reason she had to catch up with his train a couple of days later. This memo, however, says that Mary's late arrival on the train was planned well in advance. It is also interesting to read a first-hand confirmation that Lincoln had a premonition that he would never return home. Memorandum of Certain Facts for Those Who Follow After (Emphasis mine.) In the month of February 1861, being at that time a resident of Springfield, Illinois, I called one evening at the residence of my friend, Dr. John Todd. The doctor was an uncle of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln. While there Mr. Lincoln came in, bringing with him a well-fille...

Mail-In Ballots Anyone?

During the American Civil War, soldiers were allowed to vote by mail. This was the first instance of mail-in ballots in the nation's history. At the time, of course, only men had the right to vote. In the 1862 mid-year elections, many soldiers were given leave to return home to vote. It was detrimental to the war effort, so in 1864 the Union tried a new concept: mail-in ballots. Lincoln felt this was important to his reelection because a higher proportion of Republicans enlisted. On September 27, 1864, Ulysses S. Grant wrote to the Secretary of War Edwin Stanton: The exercise of the right of suffrage by the officers and soldiers of armies is a novel thing. A very large proportion of legal voters of the United States are now either under arms in the field, or in hospitals, or otherwise engaged in the military service of the United States … they are American citizens, having still their homes and social and political ties binding them to the States and districts from which they come...

A blog by James D. Best

A braham Lincoln is one of the most enigmatic presidents in American history. His law partner, William Herndon, described Lincoln as "the most shut-mouthed man who ever lived." Despite his constant pursuit of an audience, Lincoln rarely revealed his true thoughts. He often waffled, deflected questions, or told stories to avoid disclosing his plans. This tendency is one reason historians and critics can depict him as having seemingly contradictory opinions on various issues, conflicting motives, and a range of personal characteristics encompassing every imaginable human behavior. This blog will not attempt to resolve these contradictions. Instead, it will present them all to readers so they can draw their own conclusions. So, sit back, enjoy, and feel free to participate in the discussion. Additionally, this blog promotes Maelstrom , A Civil War Novel . Maelstrom tells the story of the greatest rivalry in American history. Praise for Maelstrom “I enjoyed this.” Harold Holzer...

Book Review: Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln Doris Kearns Goodwin Goodwin’s smooth style is reader-friendly. Team of Rivals , published in 2005, has become a standard in the crowded Lincoln genre, winning the Lincoln Prize and the Book Prize for American History. Team of Rivals was also a finalist for several other prizes. More than 18,000 books have been written about Abraham Lincoln, making him one of the most documented figures in history. To market a new perspective, many Lincoln scholars seek to offer a unique take on one of the most studied men in history. Goodwin, when not the narrator herself, allows Lincoln’s cabinet to tell his story. Every president since George Washington has governed with a cabinet, and the cabinet is often given short shrift by historians. Rightly so, in many cases. But Lincoln was different. He filled his cabinet and lesser positions with his Republican competitors, northern Democratic Party leaders, and other powerful rivals within...

Abraham Lincoln: The Enigmatic President

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