Perry Fox, a resident of Eden, has released his debut novel, Lincoln's Double: Friend or Foe, a work of historical fiction that traces its origins to a remarkable family story. The book imagines an alternate path for Fox's grandfather, a 6'5" Confederate soldier who bore a striking resemblance to Abraham Lincoln, weaving a narrative of a botched kidnapping, an unlikely friendship with the president, and a desperate race to stop an assassination.
The novel's inspiration came from stories Fox heard from his father about his own father, a man Fox never met. "I've always been fascinated by the stories my father told me about his own father," Fox 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."
Fox's announcement matters because it brings a locally rooted perspective to one of the most heavily chronicled periods in American history. By centering his narrative on a Confederate soldier who could pass for Lincoln, Fox opens a space to examine identity, loyalty, and the contingencies of wartime decision-making. The premise of a botched kidnapping and a subsequent friendship with the president pushes readers to consider how individual encounters might have reshaped the political landscape of the 1860s.
The book also carries significance for Eden's literary community. A debut novel from a local author, particularly one grounded in family history, can strengthen regional cultural ties and encourage others to mine their own family archives for untold stories. Fox's explicit aim to connect with a grandfather he never knew adds a personal dimension that may resonate with readers who have similarly pieced together family narratives from secondhand accounts.
Set against a journey that moves from the simple farms of Florida to the high-stakes political arena of Washington, D.C., Lincoln's Double offers a fresh perspective on a defining era. The novel's availability for review copies, interviews, and media requests signals that Fox and his team are seeking broader attention for the work, potentially expanding its reach beyond the immediate community.
For a first-time author, the choice to build fiction around a real ancestor's resemblance to Lincoln is a bold one, blending genealogical curiosity with speculative history. The result, according to Fox, is a story that explores the "what ifs" of history while honoring a family legacy. Whether the novel finds traction with Civil War enthusiasts or general readers, its release marks a notable moment for Eden's literary scene and for Fox personally, as he transforms oral family history into a published work.
