Perry Fox, a resident of Eden, has published his debut novel, Lincoln's Double: Friend or Foe, a work of historical fiction rooted in his own family history. The book draws inspiration from Fox's grandfather, a 6'5" Confederate soldier who bore a striking resemblance to Abraham Lincoln.
The novel imagines an alternate path for Fox's ancestor, weaving a tale of a botched kidnapping, an unlikely friendship with President Lincoln, and a desperate race to stop an assassination. The story moves from the simple farms of Florida to the high-stakes political arena of Washington, D.C., offering a fresh perspective on one of America's most defining eras.
Fox said the project allowed him to connect with a grandfather he 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."
The publication matters beyond Eden because it adds a new voice to the crowded field of Civil War fiction, using a family story to reimagine a pivotal moment in American history. By centering the narrative on a Confederate soldier who physically resembled Lincoln, the novel raises questions about identity, loyalty, and the personal stakes behind national events. For readers interested in historical fiction, the book offers an entry point into the political tensions of the era through an intimate, character-driven lens.
For the local community, Fox's debut represents a notable literary achievement: a resident turning oral family history into a published work. The novel's journey from Florida farms to Washington, D.C., mirrors the broader movement of ordinary people into the centers of power during the Civil War, a theme that may resonate with readers reflecting on how individual lives intersect with large historical forces.
The book is now available, and Fox is positioned to engage with readers and media. The announcement signals that Eden has a new storyteller whose work is grounded in personal history and imaginative speculation about one of the nation's most studied conflicts.
