Perry Fox, a resident of Eden, has released his debut novel, Lincoln's Double: Friend or Foe, a work of historical fiction that explores an alternate history rooted in his own family. The book draws inspiration from Fox's grandfather, a 6'5" Confederate soldier who bore a striking resemblance to Abraham Lincoln. That familial connection serves as the springboard for a narrative that reimagines the grandfather's life, weaving a tale of a botched kidnapping, an unlikely friendship with President Lincoln, and a desperate race to prevent an assassination.
The novel's significance lies in its fusion of personal history with one of the most consequential periods in American history. By centering the story on a figure who could plausibly pass for Lincoln, Fox creates a premise that allows readers to explore the "what ifs" of the Civil War era from a fresh angle. The book travels from the simple farms of Florida to the high-stakes political arena of Washington, D.C., offering a perspective that is both intimate and grand in scale.
Fox explained that the project was deeply personal. "I've always been fascinated by the stories my father told me about his own father," he said. "Writing this book was a way for me to connect with a grandfather I never got to meet and to explore the incredible 'what ifs' of history. It's been a labor of love, and I'm thrilled to finally share it with my community." That connection to family history gives the novel an emotional authenticity that distinguishes it from typical alternate-history fiction.
The announcement also highlights the local dimension of the publication. Eden gains a new storyteller in Fox, whose work reflects the ways in which national history can be refracted through personal ancestry. The novel's availability marks a moment for the community to engage with a story that is simultaneously local and national in scope.
For those interested in the Civil War, historical fiction, or the enduring appeal of counterfactual narratives, Lincoln's Double presents a compelling case. It asks readers to consider how individual lives—even those of ordinary soldiers—can intersect with pivotal historical moments. The book's release signals the arrival of a new voice in historical fiction, one whose inspiration is as deeply rooted in family as it is in the broader American story.
