A new novel by Perry Fox, Lincoln's Double: Friend or Foe, draws on a family legend that has been passed down for generations. The story centers on Franklin James Benjamin Fox, the author's grandfather, a tall, lanky Confederate soldier who bore a striking resemblance to Abraham Lincoln. While the plot involving a kidnapped president and a secret double is fictional, it is grounded in the real experiences of FJB, a 6'5" Second Lieutenant from Madison, Florida, who fought in the Virginia Peninsula, was wounded in action, and later served in the artillery before being captured in 1865 and imprisoned at Camp Chase in Ohio.
The novel imagines an extraordinary path for Frank Fox: plucked from the Confederate ranks, trained to impersonate President Lincoln, and forced into an impossible choice after a failed kidnapping plot. His journey from Confederate soldier to Lincoln's secret body double serves as a powerful exploration of how war can transform beliefs and forge unexpected bonds. The book is a heartfelt tribute to a grandfather the author never met, but whose legacy of faith, persistence, and honor lives on in its pages.
This announcement matters because it highlights the enduring power of family stories and the ways in which personal history can illuminate broader historical events. By weaving documented facts about his grandfather's military service and imprisonment into a fictional narrative, Perry Fox bridges the gap between genealogy and literature, offering readers a fresh perspective on the Civil War era. The novel also underscores the moral complexity faced by individuals caught in the turmoil of war, a theme that resonates with contemporary audiences.
In an era where historical memory is often contested, Lincoln's Double demonstrates how creative works can honor ancestors while inviting reflection on the human cost of conflict. The author's dedication to preserving his grandfather's legacy through storytelling is a reminder that history is not just about dates and battles, but about the personal experiences and choices that shape our understanding of the past.
