Perry Fox, a resident of Eden, has released his debut novel, Lincoln's Double: Friend or Foe, a work of historical fiction that draws on his own family history. The book imagines an alternate path for Fox's grandfather, a 6'5" Confederate soldier who bore a striking resemblance to Abraham Lincoln.
The novel's premise centers on a botched kidnapping, an unlikely friendship with President Lincoln, and a desperate race to stop an assassination. The narrative moves from the simple farms of Florida to the political arena of Washington, D.C., offering a fresh perspective on one of America's most defining eras.
Fox said the inspiration came from stories his father told him about his own father. "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."
The announcement matters because it highlights how local family histories can shape and enrich published storytelling, particularly within the historical fiction genre. By grounding an alternate-history narrative in a real ancestor's striking physical resemblance to Lincoln, Fox adds a personal dimension to a well-known period of American history. The book also brings attention to Eden's literary scene, showcasing a local author's debut on a national stage.
For readers interested in Civil War-era fiction, Lincoln's Double offers a new angle on familiar events by asking what might have happened if someone who looked like Lincoln had been drawn into a plot involving the president. The novel's focus on friendship and rescue, rather than solely on conflict, may appeal to those looking for character-driven historical narratives.
The publication of Lincoln's Double also underscores a broader trend of authors using genealogical research as a springboard for fiction. Fox's use of his grandfather's life demonstrates how personal archives and oral family traditions can serve as creative material, potentially encouraging other local writers to explore their own histories.
Lincoln's Double: Friend or Foe is now available. Fox, who lives in Eden, has described the project as a way to connect with a grandfather he never met while exploring the speculative possibilities of history.
