Alternate history in which Lincoln survives the assassination attempt only to be impeached. Told from the point of view of Abigail Canner, an African-American law clerk who winds up on his legal team.
My thoughts
It's a rare author who can meld action with courtroom drama in a way that keeps the reader flipping pages. It's especially difficult with historical fiction. Stephen L. Carter is a law professor who's written both non-fiction and fiction (both contemporary and historical), and he manages his task well.
What would have happened if Abraham Lincoln had not been killed? It's one of the most intriguing questions in U.S. history (right up there with what would JFK's legacy have been if he had lived). Carter argues convincingly in an author's note that's almost as interesting as the novel that some of Lincoln's actions during the Civil War could potentially have been construed as impeachable offenses, and the postwar political climate could have swung against Lincoln.
Abigail Canner is a smart, dynamic protagonist, and seeing the story unfold from her point of view makes it all the more fascinating. She is uniquely placed to unravel the plot against Lincoln because of who she is. However, this also strains credulity. Would an African-American woman have been able to serve as a law clerk on the impeachment trial of the President of the United States? That would have been impossible in the 1960s, never mind the 1860s.
One minor quibble is a little romance that seems to be thrown in just because. It's alternately sweet and slightly irritating when it interferes with the main narrative.
Bottom line
Enjoyable alternate history.
Fine print
The Impeachment of Abraham Lincoln, by Stephen L. Carter
Genre: historical fiction
Photo from Goodreads
I borrowed this book from the library.
I think I'll add this one to my list.
ReplyDelete