The Day Lincoln Lost

By: Charles Rosenberg

Narrated by: Alex Wyndham

An inventive historical thriller that reimagines the tumultuous presidential election of 1860, capturing the people desperately trying to hold the nation together—and those trying to crack it apart.

Abby Kelley Foster arrived in Springfield, Illinois, with the fate of the nation on her mind. Her fame as an abolitionist speaker had spread west and she knew that her first speech in the city would make headlines. One of the residents reading those headlines would be none other than the likely next president of the United States.

Abraham Lincoln, lawyer and presidential candidate, knew his chances of winning were good. All he had to do was stay above the fray of the slavery debate and appear the voice of reason until the people cast their votes. The last thing he needed was a fiery abolitionist appearing in town. When her speech sparks violence, leading to her arrest and a high-profile trial, he suspects that his political rivals have conspired against him.

President James Buchanan is one such rival. As his term ends and his political power crumbles, he gathers his advisers at the White House to make one last move that might derail Lincoln’s campaign, steal the election and throw America into chaos.

A fascinating historical novel and fast-paced political thriller of a nation on the cusp of civil war, The Day Lincoln Lost offers an unexpected window into one of the most consequential elections in our country’s history.

Outstanding new book

Charles Rosenberg has done it again
He has written a compelling new book. He weaves a story with many twists and turns. The reader or the listener is brought back into history page after page. The narration is also excellent. Unfortunately the focus on the electoral college and challenged and uncertain election outcomes for the presidency may be all too relevant to the current presidential election.

Historical errors

The underground railroad did not lead slaves to Lake Michigan to cross into Canada. Lake Michigan does not border Canada. Both Lake Erie and Lake Huron do border Canada. However, the Great Lakes are like crossing an Ocean. Most of the crossing were across the Detroit River and the St. Claire River. At that time the rivers would sometimes freeze completely and could be crossed on foot. Uncle Tom's Cabin describes a crossing on the Detroit River. It was also stated that the Quaker woman would not vote for Lincoln. No women voted until 1913' In spite of this I did enjoy the story.