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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The Shut Mouth Society

I wrote The Shut Mouth Society , so this is a description plus critiques from other reviewers. This modern-day thriller is a typical chase novel à la Robert Ludlum . The Ludlum formula for this genre involves a man and woman with an “odd meet” (rather than a “cute meet”). The couple is accused of a crime and then chased by good guys and bad guys until they save themselves by unraveling a mystery that threatens the social order. In The Shut Mouth Society , the mystery is a secret society formed after the Civil War that threatens to take control of Mexico. A chase is launched when a small-town police Commander and a renowned professor assess the validity of a pre-presidential document in Lincoln's hand. Abe Lincoln is interwoven throughout the story as they must examine his life and motivations to solve the mystery. The Shut Mouth Society is a work of fiction, but I did extensive research on Lincoln to craft an exciting, historically accurate story. The novel was a finalist in ...

Short Story: Another Time, Another Place

A gush of air ruffled my hair. Was that a bullet whistling past my head? Where am I? What the heck is happening? My eardrums throbbed with piercing pops and massive explosions. The stench of rotten eggs and burning charcoal seared my nostrils. Soldiers yelled orders, screamed in pain, or shouted insults at the opposition. Beyond clear-cut fields, I saw countless flashes made dim by smoke and distance. I wondered what the flashes represented until I heard sharp thuds and saw wood splintering. They were gunshots coming toward me at a frantic pace. The entire encounter was unreal. Standing on a sturdy parapet eight feet above the ground, I overlooked a raging gun battle. The relentless noise dazed me. To my left and right, soldiers returned fire, and deafening blasts of cannon fire made it nearly impossible to think clearly. I should have felt a desperate urge to escape, yet I sensed no such need. I was not afraid. Something told me that I was not a participant in this drama. As I glanced...

A blog by James D. Best

Abraham Lincoln is considered 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 why historians and critics can depict him as having seemingly contradictory opinions on various issues, conflicting motives, and a range of personal characteristics that encompass every imaginable human behavior. This blog will not attempt to resolve these contradictions. Instead, it will present them all for readers to draw their own conclusions. So, sit back, enjoy, and feel free to participate in the discussion. Additionally, this blog also promotes Maelstrom , A Civil War Novel coming soon. History is our story, and Maelstrom places you right in the middle of the action.

Lincoln, A Novel by Gore Vidal

I’m not a Gore Vidal fan. I thought Burr was a hash, especially from a historical perspective. Lincoln is a better novel, though still blemished, primarily because of Vidal’s penchant for showing off. A novel is a story, and the cardinal rule of storytelling is to never jerk the reader out of the story. Yet, Vidal continuously interrupts his characters mid-scene to take a bow, with witty asides, overly clever dialogue, and meaningless period gossip. Vidal also focuses on the trivial when the reader yearns for the big picture. The absence of transitions is jarring. Vidal goes from one scene to another with a different cast of characters without even a “by your leave.” It's like, “Hey, I veered off over here, catch up or I’ll leave you behind.” And you do … but it takes rereading several sentences, and poof, the magic is gone. The book is titled Lincoln , but Ol’ Abe comes across as a side character, explained by countless others who surround the supposed pr...

The Killer Angels, A Novel of the Civil War by Michael Shaara

I last read The Killer Angels four decades ago. I liked it the first time, but really grew to appreciate it with this reading. Great story, well written, and enlightening. My project, Maelstrom , is also a historical novel that alternates between Union and Confederate viewpoints, so I appreciated the difficulty of portraying events in an entertaining manner while remaining historically accurate. The advantage of historical novelizations is that they can bring characters to life and make readers feel as if they were present when events unfold. Novels are first and foremost stories, and stories must move. History has a way of unfolding in a haphazard fashion, hindering storytelling. The difficulty is maintaining a good pace while remaining faithful to the historical presentation. In this reading, I could lift myself above the story and admire the craft. Sharra does an excellent job and deserved the Pulitzer Prize he won for The Killer Angels .

Abraham Lincoln: The Enigmatic President

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