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The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy
This historical thriller is an equal-parts cocktail of action, adventure, science-fiction and comedy. The book follows a globe-trotting President Taft and Robert Todd Lincoln in a race to solve a mystery stretching back to the Civil War and the Lincoln assassination. Based on true events, readers will find themselves swept into a vast conspiracy spanning four continents and three oceans during the turn of the century. Fascinating technologies will be harnessed, dark secrets revealed, true villains exposed, and some of the most famous figures in history will take the stage. With surprises lurking around every corner, and a vast cast of characters to root for, Jacopo della Quercia's The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy is a heart-pounding adventure that only history could have made possible.
384 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2014
74 people are currently reading
903 people want to read
About the author
Jacopo della Quercia
9 books230 followersJACOPO DELLA QUERCIA is an award-winning educator, essayist, and novelist. His work has been featured on BBC America, Business Insider, CNN Money, Folger Magazine, The Huffington Post, Reader's Digest, Ripley's Believe It or Not!, Slate, and Princeton University's Electronic Bulletin of the Dante Society of America, among others.
As a writer, Jacopo strives to present otherwise obscure scholarly subjects in a manner more easily accessible and enjoyable for all audiences: a practice he honed in the classroom. His novels are The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy and its sequel, License to Quill , with many more to follow!
As a writer, Jacopo strives to present otherwise obscure scholarly subjects in a manner more easily accessible and enjoyable for all audiences: a practice he honed in the classroom. His novels are The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy and its sequel, License to Quill , with many more to follow!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
August 9, 2014
I'm not entirely sure I would've even heard about this book had the author not followed me on twitter and told me about it. That lead to the single greatest read of the current decade, in my braggadocious opinion. This world is full of people who confuse opinion for fact. I am one of those people. If you don't read this book you are wrong. If you read it and don't like it then go drink some scotch until you have the courage to confront your parents for failing you.
The opening chapter, while containing very little dialogue, makes you appreciate Abraham Lincoln more than any history teacher ever did. And the rest of the book give the only explanation I've ever heard for why I was told so little of President Taft in school (he was busy kicking opponents square in the sternum). Granted, this is a work of fiction, but I'd rather believe the fiction I'm told in this book than the ones we read in history class.
Steam punk zeppelins.
Nicola Tesla killing assassins.
Taft not understanding how brakes work while screaming down the streets of D.C. Secret organizations.
Conspiracies.
Some of the many things that will entertain you for hours. Jacopo Della Quercia has done the best work of his life, so far.
The opening chapter, while containing very little dialogue, makes you appreciate Abraham Lincoln more than any history teacher ever did. And the rest of the book give the only explanation I've ever heard for why I was told so little of President Taft in school (he was busy kicking opponents square in the sternum). Granted, this is a work of fiction, but I'd rather believe the fiction I'm told in this book than the ones we read in history class.
Steam punk zeppelins.
Nicola Tesla killing assassins.
Taft not understanding how brakes work while screaming down the streets of D.C. Secret organizations.
Conspiracies.
Some of the many things that will entertain you for hours. Jacopo Della Quercia has done the best work of his life, so far.
August 24, 2015
Entertaining read!
Packed with fascinating history, TGALPC chugs along at a brisk pace. I laughed out loud during several scenes and was introduced to a lot of history I'd like to read up on. That said, the action sequences were rough and I wasn't always clear on who was doing what, and I'll admit Archie/Wilkie/Lincoln sometimes blurred together for me. I definitely enjoyed this book, and would recommend to readers looking for sharp comedy in their history.
Packed with fascinating history, TGALPC chugs along at a brisk pace. I laughed out loud during several scenes and was introduced to a lot of history I'd like to read up on. That said, the action sequences were rough and I wasn't always clear on who was doing what, and I'll admit Archie/Wilkie/Lincoln sometimes blurred together for me. I definitely enjoyed this book, and would recommend to readers looking for sharp comedy in their history.
June 12, 2016
The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy by Jacopo della Quercia is a gem. The novel is a historical/mystery/thriller/steampunk/fantasy adventure that not only encompasses all of these genres, but blends them effortlessly into a dish that you will both devour an savor. I first came upon Jacopo della Quercia's writing in the novel "License to Quill", a James Bond and Shakespeare blend (pick it up! pick it up!) and enjoyed that novel so much I went looking for his prior tales. This at times can be an iffy situation as early work often doesn't show the polish and plotting that is so strong in the more recent novels, but that was quickly dispelled in The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy. The novel begins with the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and his preoccupation in the moments to his death with a misplaced pocket watch that never needs winding.
Years later, the lone surviving son of President Lincoln begins to unravel a mystery that may involve intelligence that may or may not be of this world, as he begins to obsess over his father's watch.
"...For two years, I have been going through my father's papers for his centennial. Every letter, every correspondence, everything John Hay and I packed before we moved out of the mansion.' Robert paused, his brown eyes staring deep into Taft's. 'Before the Fourth of July, I found a slip to a safe deposit box the government opened with the Safe Deposit Company of New York. The account was dated May first: the company's first day of business and two weeks after my father was murdered. I paid the bank a visit before I steamed over here. The account for the box was still open. I found this inside..."
What Robert Lincoln finds inside is a gold pocket watch with no discernible power source. There is no where to wind the watch, but it has been working non stop since his father's death. The providence of the watch seems to be as a gift from the Russian Ambassador at the time of Lincoln's presidency. At the time that of the purchase of Alaska from the Russians. What power can this be and what have the Russians, the billionaire magnate J.P. Morgan and possible extra-terrestrial life have to do with the watch and the unknown power behind it? Robert Lincoln enlists the aid of his friend and current President William Taft to investigate.
"...Now listen,' Nellie said, getting straight to business. 'You have less than ten days to solve this riddle up north. Mr. Lincoln is a man of science, just like his father was. If his concerns turn out to be unfounded, we can put this whole matter of Martians and pocket watches behind us. However, if he can gather scientific proof that there are or ever were 'visitors' to this planet, your administration could use it to squash the brewing scandal in Alaska once and for all. You would win reelection, Will. You could be remembered as one of the greatest presidents in history..."
What follows is one of the greatest adventures never written down in history. Taft and Lincoln must fight off terrorists, on and off American soil. As a mad plan hatched years before takes shape and threatens not only the United States of America but the entire world. At their disposal is Airship one, a steam powered dirigible that secrets the President across the globe. Against them, a conspiracy of power that spans the world, a Taft look-a-like robot that turns into a Terminator, a mad dictator returned from the dead and the hubris of an ex-President who cannot stay out of the way. All of which climaxes aboard the greatest cruise liner ever launched; the Titanic.
What is above is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg for the scope and depth of the adventure that is The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy. Jacopo della Quercia takes moments in history and figures in history and has created an adventure that is on scale with an Indiana Jones movie. Seriously, William Taft as a MMA fighter, a Terminator robot, a wide scale attack on a major college campus and the wreck of the Titanic?
The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy is a great book and a fun read. Hell if you're not careful, you might actually learn a little history while you are at it.
Years later, the lone surviving son of President Lincoln begins to unravel a mystery that may involve intelligence that may or may not be of this world, as he begins to obsess over his father's watch.
"...For two years, I have been going through my father's papers for his centennial. Every letter, every correspondence, everything John Hay and I packed before we moved out of the mansion.' Robert paused, his brown eyes staring deep into Taft's. 'Before the Fourth of July, I found a slip to a safe deposit box the government opened with the Safe Deposit Company of New York. The account was dated May first: the company's first day of business and two weeks after my father was murdered. I paid the bank a visit before I steamed over here. The account for the box was still open. I found this inside..."
What Robert Lincoln finds inside is a gold pocket watch with no discernible power source. There is no where to wind the watch, but it has been working non stop since his father's death. The providence of the watch seems to be as a gift from the Russian Ambassador at the time of Lincoln's presidency. At the time that of the purchase of Alaska from the Russians. What power can this be and what have the Russians, the billionaire magnate J.P. Morgan and possible extra-terrestrial life have to do with the watch and the unknown power behind it? Robert Lincoln enlists the aid of his friend and current President William Taft to investigate.
"...Now listen,' Nellie said, getting straight to business. 'You have less than ten days to solve this riddle up north. Mr. Lincoln is a man of science, just like his father was. If his concerns turn out to be unfounded, we can put this whole matter of Martians and pocket watches behind us. However, if he can gather scientific proof that there are or ever were 'visitors' to this planet, your administration could use it to squash the brewing scandal in Alaska once and for all. You would win reelection, Will. You could be remembered as one of the greatest presidents in history..."
What follows is one of the greatest adventures never written down in history. Taft and Lincoln must fight off terrorists, on and off American soil. As a mad plan hatched years before takes shape and threatens not only the United States of America but the entire world. At their disposal is Airship one, a steam powered dirigible that secrets the President across the globe. Against them, a conspiracy of power that spans the world, a Taft look-a-like robot that turns into a Terminator, a mad dictator returned from the dead and the hubris of an ex-President who cannot stay out of the way. All of which climaxes aboard the greatest cruise liner ever launched; the Titanic.
What is above is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg for the scope and depth of the adventure that is The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy. Jacopo della Quercia takes moments in history and figures in history and has created an adventure that is on scale with an Indiana Jones movie. Seriously, William Taft as a MMA fighter, a Terminator robot, a wide scale attack on a major college campus and the wreck of the Titanic?
The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy is a great book and a fun read. Hell if you're not careful, you might actually learn a little history while you are at it.
June 17, 2015
http://www.themaineedge.com/buzz/the-...
Alternate history has long been a mainstay in the realm of speculative fiction. History is rich with tipping points, pivotal people and actions whose impacts resonate long after they’ve become memory. Writers have been using simple “what if” questions to imagine wholly different worlds – worlds similar to, but not exactly like our own – for generations.
But none of them has had quite as much fun as Jacopo della Quercia.
His debut novel is "The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy"; once you’ve read it, you’ll never look at American history in quite the same way again. Part sci-fi, part action-adventure, part comedy – it is historical fiction like you’ve never seen it.
In the year 1910, President William Howard Taft isn’t necessarily spending his time behaving in a Presidential manner. We first encounter him in an English pub, where he is the “one” in a four-on-one bareknuckle boxing match (a match he wins handily, by the way) His wife Nellie – the real power behind the throne – is in Washington…along with an automaton built by Thomas Edison to serve as the President’s proxy when he’s off on his high-tech zeppelin (designed by Nicola Tesla) or punching random Brits.
But when Taft’s old friend Robert Todd Lincoln – eldest son of Abraham Lincoln – appears with a highly-advanced gold pocket watch that once belonged to the elder Lincoln, the President is thrust into the midst of a mystery. The watch is an entry point into a generations-long conspiracy – a conspiracy that involves figures at the highest level of global politics and business. From Alaska to the depths of the Congo, Taft and Lincoln – along with erstwhile Secret Service chief John Wilkie and a host of other familiar names from history’s annals (including appearances by everybody’s favorite Rough Rider, Teddy Roosevelt) – must get to the bottom of one of the most far-reaching and potentially deadly plots in all of human history.
“The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy” is an absolute delight. Any attempt to synopsize the book does it a disservice, simply because there’s a multilayered richness to the narrative that has to be experienced to be truly appreciated. Of course, if you’re the sort of person who can get past bareknuckle-boxing Taft and not immediately want to read this book, then I apologize and hope that someday, you can once again find some modicum of joy in life.
Seriously, this book is flat-out great. Not just because of the jumbled juxtaposition of real historical figures and outlandish situations – although that’s a big part of it. Nor is it just because of the well-crafted characterizations that offer truthful-feeling connections to those real-life figures – though that’s a part of it too.
No, the most striking reason for this book’s success is della Quercia’s meticulous and painstaking research. It’s remarkable, really; he has immersed himself in the history of the period, following the lives and careers of each and every one of his major players. From there, he has constructed a behind-the-scenes narrative, a secret history that aligns perfectly with the official story. His in-depth understanding of that actual history is the foundation on which he builds this fantastical tale.
And it should be noted, the book is legitimately laugh-out-loud funny. Humor is mined by way of both character and situation; Taft in particular is endearing and engaging – a brilliant buffoon. While della Quercia provides an exceptional tale, filled with dramatic tension and carrying a steampunk sensibility throughout, that humor is what transforms this book from a good read to a great one – not that we should expect anything less from one of the movers and shakers at Cracked.com.
“The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy” creates a combination of scholarship and slapstick that simply doesn’t come around all that often, so you’d do well to take advantage. For fans of humor, history or both, this book should immediately be placed at the top of any must-read list.
Alternate history has long been a mainstay in the realm of speculative fiction. History is rich with tipping points, pivotal people and actions whose impacts resonate long after they’ve become memory. Writers have been using simple “what if” questions to imagine wholly different worlds – worlds similar to, but not exactly like our own – for generations.
But none of them has had quite as much fun as Jacopo della Quercia.
His debut novel is "The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy"; once you’ve read it, you’ll never look at American history in quite the same way again. Part sci-fi, part action-adventure, part comedy – it is historical fiction like you’ve never seen it.
In the year 1910, President William Howard Taft isn’t necessarily spending his time behaving in a Presidential manner. We first encounter him in an English pub, where he is the “one” in a four-on-one bareknuckle boxing match (a match he wins handily, by the way) His wife Nellie – the real power behind the throne – is in Washington…along with an automaton built by Thomas Edison to serve as the President’s proxy when he’s off on his high-tech zeppelin (designed by Nicola Tesla) or punching random Brits.
But when Taft’s old friend Robert Todd Lincoln – eldest son of Abraham Lincoln – appears with a highly-advanced gold pocket watch that once belonged to the elder Lincoln, the President is thrust into the midst of a mystery. The watch is an entry point into a generations-long conspiracy – a conspiracy that involves figures at the highest level of global politics and business. From Alaska to the depths of the Congo, Taft and Lincoln – along with erstwhile Secret Service chief John Wilkie and a host of other familiar names from history’s annals (including appearances by everybody’s favorite Rough Rider, Teddy Roosevelt) – must get to the bottom of one of the most far-reaching and potentially deadly plots in all of human history.
“The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy” is an absolute delight. Any attempt to synopsize the book does it a disservice, simply because there’s a multilayered richness to the narrative that has to be experienced to be truly appreciated. Of course, if you’re the sort of person who can get past bareknuckle-boxing Taft and not immediately want to read this book, then I apologize and hope that someday, you can once again find some modicum of joy in life.
Seriously, this book is flat-out great. Not just because of the jumbled juxtaposition of real historical figures and outlandish situations – although that’s a big part of it. Nor is it just because of the well-crafted characterizations that offer truthful-feeling connections to those real-life figures – though that’s a part of it too.
No, the most striking reason for this book’s success is della Quercia’s meticulous and painstaking research. It’s remarkable, really; he has immersed himself in the history of the period, following the lives and careers of each and every one of his major players. From there, he has constructed a behind-the-scenes narrative, a secret history that aligns perfectly with the official story. His in-depth understanding of that actual history is the foundation on which he builds this fantastical tale.
And it should be noted, the book is legitimately laugh-out-loud funny. Humor is mined by way of both character and situation; Taft in particular is endearing and engaging – a brilliant buffoon. While della Quercia provides an exceptional tale, filled with dramatic tension and carrying a steampunk sensibility throughout, that humor is what transforms this book from a good read to a great one – not that we should expect anything less from one of the movers and shakers at Cracked.com.
“The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy” creates a combination of scholarship and slapstick that simply doesn’t come around all that often, so you’d do well to take advantage. For fans of humor, history or both, this book should immediately be placed at the top of any must-read list.
November 18, 2017
Couldn't put it down. Liked how the author included references to news articles of events happening during the time of his story to link it into history.
November 20, 2015
I picked this book out at the library because my 2015 book challenge included reading a book based solely on the cover, and I thought this cover looked intriguing. In terms of genres, this book is on the border of steampunk and sci-fi (robots and zeppelins are involved), but I might still recommend it to my sister (who is not a sci-fi fan) because the story ensures the characters are more important than the technology. I think the author did some really clever things with this book in terms of weaving in true "news of the weird" type headlines from the time period this book was set (1910s) into a truly fantastical romp through history. I must admit, the Taft Administration is not one of the eras we spent a lot of time on in American History class, so I found myself thinking things like "That would never happen... or maybe it could?" Overall, I would say this was a good choice to read during a rainy, dreary week because the action was fast paced and the details were goofy amusing.
August 12, 2014
This book had been popping up in my news feed on Facebook, as well as on Twitter for the past few days; the Twitter part is explained by the fact that I follow the author and he'd retweet any time someone mentioned reading his book. Since most of the places it would pop up on Facebook was on more than one of the steampunk pages I follow, I decided to give this book a shot; picked it up at the bookstore yesterday (August 10, 2014) and finished it tonight.
I vastly enjoyed this book. For me, I found it to be well paced and well written. I will also admit I did like the fact that the author included footnotes when he referred to certain sources; a nice touch which helped ground the historical base of this book nicely. The touches of science-fiction felt almost plausible considering the time period and tech used.
I vastly enjoyed this book. For me, I found it to be well paced and well written. I will also admit I did like the fact that the author included footnotes when he referred to certain sources; a nice touch which helped ground the historical base of this book nicely. The touches of science-fiction felt almost plausible considering the time period and tech used.
August 22, 2014
I'm a Brit with only a passing understanding of who President Taft was, yet having completed this first novel by Mr Jacopo Della Quercia I find myself hoping that he was in some way like he's been written here.
Steampunk is not a genre I'm overly familiar with either, yet I can guarantee that any reader can pick this up and immediately feel drawn into the twists and turns of the story. It has something for everyone.
Some of the situations into which the writer drops his characters are nothing short of inspired.
The biggest accolade I can give is that having completed it and with a number of books waiting to be read I'm reading it all over again.
Steampunk is not a genre I'm overly familiar with either, yet I can guarantee that any reader can pick this up and immediately feel drawn into the twists and turns of the story. It has something for everyone.
Some of the situations into which the writer drops his characters are nothing short of inspired.
The biggest accolade I can give is that having completed it and with a number of books waiting to be read I'm reading it all over again.
December 26, 2015
If I were to pick one word to describe this it would be "careening". Because that's what the reader does throughout the story. It feels like a non-stop careen complete with disaster and ridiculousness. I loved every minute, obviously. The characters were engaging and just plain fun. I can't really put into words the how and why, but this was a joy to read. Recommend.
September 5, 2019
I believe the Great Steampunk Novel is still yet to be written. However, The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy is rollicking good fun, and the very best the genre has to offer. While the novel is firmly rooted in Americana rather than Victorian England, all of the mainstays of steampunk are here: airships, automatons, Nikola Tesla making an appearance, and strange technology. And though I don't recall an instance of a character being described wearing goggles, they might as well have been. The globe trotting plot weaves its way sneakily through historical events like an elephant dressed up as a ninja. I say that lovingly. What's more, this is the kind of book where a character can exclaim words like: "Gadzooks!" like its the most natural thing to say in the world. And its my rule that if a character says "Gadzooks!" the book automatically gets bumped up an extra star rating.
Our hero is none other than President William H Taft. I have no idea how close this version of Taft is to his real life historical counterpart, but he's depicted here as the robustest of the robust. He's the kind of fellow who may have heard of the machismo antics of his predecessor, Teddy Roosevelt, and then bellowed "hold my beer!" He's a man of action, and of little patience. His fighting style is reminiscent of E. Honda from Street Fighter 2.
President Taft is joined by a wonderful cast of characters -- some pulled from the pages of history, others not so much. They must be adroit as they punch through a maze of intrigue that culminates into a showdown with-
I must not say anything more, for that would give the game away. All I'll say is that if what I've described sounds like something you would enjoy, then The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy will deliver a good time.
Our hero is none other than President William H Taft. I have no idea how close this version of Taft is to his real life historical counterpart, but he's depicted here as the robustest of the robust. He's the kind of fellow who may have heard of the machismo antics of his predecessor, Teddy Roosevelt, and then bellowed "hold my beer!" He's a man of action, and of little patience. His fighting style is reminiscent of E. Honda from Street Fighter 2.
President Taft is joined by a wonderful cast of characters -- some pulled from the pages of history, others not so much. They must be adroit as they punch through a maze of intrigue that culminates into a showdown with-
I must not say anything more, for that would give the game away. All I'll say is that if what I've described sounds like something you would enjoy, then The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy will deliver a good time.
Read
June 29, 2020The best kind of ridiculous. Fun and engaging.
December 29, 2024
Very funny and engaging. I love all the excerpts from actual historical sources sprinkled throughout.
May 31, 2017
Well that was certainly a lot of fun. Alternate history with a very small smidgen of truth. Very small. I can hardly wait to read License to Quill.
August 1, 2014
If you want a summer read that’s both gripping and silly, Jacopo Della Quercia’s The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy is just the read for you. One could also make a case for it as an unconventional choice for back-to-school reading. Take your pick.
In the America of this novel, William Howard Taft is much more interested in prize fighting than in presidenting—in the political arena he’s just a beard for his wife, Nellie, who really runs the country. Taft spends his time aboard Airship One (a dirigible) with his sidekick Robert Todd Lincoln holding special Cabinet meetings (the “special” cabinet is the liquor cabinet).
Taft and Lincoln stumble into a mystery via a pocket watch that previously belonged to Abraham Lincoln. They set off to solve the mystery, after first disabling the run-amok Taft automaton taking the President’s place in the White House:
“Mr. President… your decoy is stuck in the bathtub again.”
“Confound it! I keep telling them its exhaust port is not submersible. Someone get Nikola Tesla on the telegraph. Tell him I’m tired of plugging holes in the backside of Thomas Edison’s engines!”
This is pretty much the tenor of the entire work and it’s good fun, balancing the ridiculous with the historical. In fact, the more you know about American history, the more you’ll enjoy it. Della Quercia has a long resume as both a teacher of history and a writer of satire, and The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy is full quick snippets of humor.
Thomas Edison is the brunt of a number of jokes. At one point, Taft paraphrases Edison saying, “He said something about perspiring and taking credit for other people’s inventions.” Later in the story, the first officer of the Titanic looks at Taft “with the same shock as if he had just seen an iceberg.”
As Taft and Lincoln come closer to understanding the mystery initiated with the discovery of the pocket watch, almost every major figure of the era is brought into the action: cabinet members, army officers, barons of industry, Arthur Conan Doyle, even the rapacious King Leopold of Belgium.
When you need a pick-me-up with enough complexity to stay satisfying throughout, you can’t do better than The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy.
*****
I received an electronic ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.
In the America of this novel, William Howard Taft is much more interested in prize fighting than in presidenting—in the political arena he’s just a beard for his wife, Nellie, who really runs the country. Taft spends his time aboard Airship One (a dirigible) with his sidekick Robert Todd Lincoln holding special Cabinet meetings (the “special” cabinet is the liquor cabinet).
Taft and Lincoln stumble into a mystery via a pocket watch that previously belonged to Abraham Lincoln. They set off to solve the mystery, after first disabling the run-amok Taft automaton taking the President’s place in the White House:
“Mr. President… your decoy is stuck in the bathtub again.”
“Confound it! I keep telling them its exhaust port is not submersible. Someone get Nikola Tesla on the telegraph. Tell him I’m tired of plugging holes in the backside of Thomas Edison’s engines!”
This is pretty much the tenor of the entire work and it’s good fun, balancing the ridiculous with the historical. In fact, the more you know about American history, the more you’ll enjoy it. Della Quercia has a long resume as both a teacher of history and a writer of satire, and The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy is full quick snippets of humor.
Thomas Edison is the brunt of a number of jokes. At one point, Taft paraphrases Edison saying, “He said something about perspiring and taking credit for other people’s inventions.” Later in the story, the first officer of the Titanic looks at Taft “with the same shock as if he had just seen an iceberg.”
As Taft and Lincoln come closer to understanding the mystery initiated with the discovery of the pocket watch, almost every major figure of the era is brought into the action: cabinet members, army officers, barons of industry, Arthur Conan Doyle, even the rapacious King Leopold of Belgium.
When you need a pick-me-up with enough complexity to stay satisfying throughout, you can’t do better than The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy.
*****
I received an electronic ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.
January 29, 2015
One problem that might plague the readers of Cracked.com is judging the novels from regular site contributors based on how they feel about the site. So far, I would describe the Cracked writers' novels that I've read as "Good, not great." This book, on the other hand, was great. Although Jacopo della Quercia, like his Cracked cohorts, cannot resist throwing in a couple of jokes from the site, they actually fit really well with the storyline.
Historical fiction can be quite difficult. Unlike alternative fiction, which picks a point and time and says "What if it went *this* way instead", historical fiction gives another explanation for events that DID happen. In this case, the Taft presidency is presented in a more steam-punk style narrative, with airships and automatons. JDQ does a superb job of making sure the reader who isn't a history buff is caught up to speed, and he includes references in the back for some of the real events. The pace of the book moves very quickly, right up to the nail-biting end. An epilogue at the end is also helpful to those unfamiliar with history as he recaps what happens after Taft leaves office, and a little "teaser" hints at a possible sequel
If there was any criticism, I would say that some of the character development is a little lacking. Several real life figure are reduced to architypes (Secret Service Chief John Wilkie is a hothead with a perpetual cigar hanging out of his mouth), and the perspective of the story seems to change on a whim.
I have a feeling that most of the readers of this book are going to be devotees of Cracked.com, and that's a damn shame, because this book deserves a wide audience.
Historical fiction can be quite difficult. Unlike alternative fiction, which picks a point and time and says "What if it went *this* way instead", historical fiction gives another explanation for events that DID happen. In this case, the Taft presidency is presented in a more steam-punk style narrative, with airships and automatons. JDQ does a superb job of making sure the reader who isn't a history buff is caught up to speed, and he includes references in the back for some of the real events. The pace of the book moves very quickly, right up to the nail-biting end. An epilogue at the end is also helpful to those unfamiliar with history as he recaps what happens after Taft leaves office, and a little "teaser" hints at a possible sequel
If there was any criticism, I would say that some of the character development is a little lacking. Several real life figure are reduced to architypes (Secret Service Chief John Wilkie is a hothead with a perpetual cigar hanging out of his mouth), and the perspective of the story seems to change on a whim.
I have a feeling that most of the readers of this book are going to be devotees of Cracked.com, and that's a damn shame, because this book deserves a wide audience.
August 6, 2014
This review and others are available on my blog.
The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy: A Novel is a globetrotting, historical, steampunk extravaganza that transverses continents and straddles two centuries. Jacopo della Quercia has constructed a good old-fashioned adventure story out of detailed historical research complete with footnotes and a giddy sense of fun.
President William Howard Taft and Robert Todd Lincoln find themselves embroiled in a conspiracy stretching back to the Lincoln Assassination. In the process they travel the world in an airship, dodge automaton assassins, encounter a number of historical figures, engage in several firefights, and storm a particularly famous vessel.
Della Quercia clearly loves these historical figures, some famous others more obscure, but all real. He builds a story that wouldn't be out of place in a pulp serial out the minutia and historical facts of their lives. President Taft's wife and Co-president, Nellie, in particular is a revelation.
The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy: A Novel is a secret history of the early 20th Century that manages to fit a possible alien invasion, a global conspiracy, airships, and a number of midnight raids into the cracks of recorded history. A highly enjoyable and often whimsical romp through history.
**Received copy from NetGalley for Review
The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy: A Novel is a globetrotting, historical, steampunk extravaganza that transverses continents and straddles two centuries. Jacopo della Quercia has constructed a good old-fashioned adventure story out of detailed historical research complete with footnotes and a giddy sense of fun.
President William Howard Taft and Robert Todd Lincoln find themselves embroiled in a conspiracy stretching back to the Lincoln Assassination. In the process they travel the world in an airship, dodge automaton assassins, encounter a number of historical figures, engage in several firefights, and storm a particularly famous vessel.
Della Quercia clearly loves these historical figures, some famous others more obscure, but all real. He builds a story that wouldn't be out of place in a pulp serial out the minutia and historical facts of their lives. President Taft's wife and Co-president, Nellie, in particular is a revelation.
The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy: A Novel is a secret history of the early 20th Century that manages to fit a possible alien invasion, a global conspiracy, airships, and a number of midnight raids into the cracks of recorded history. A highly enjoyable and often whimsical romp through history.
**Received copy from NetGalley for Review
January 7, 2015
Smart, funny, crazy, and fast paced. A mixture of fantasy and historical reality with a fantastic cast of characters, President Taft and all his heft at the center. I can’t even explain all the wonderful elements at work here because some things would be considered spoilers. Here’s a few early tidbits that should get you engaged enough to snag a copy of this book:
--Taft’s first appearance is in an underground boxing club.
--Taft and his entourage fly around in a zeppelin that’s supposed to be top secret but he flies it to a baseball game so he can throw out the first pitch.
--an automaton goes crazy in the White House
--Lots of insults tossed at Thomas Edison; Nikola Tesla is one of the presidents supporters and supplies him with a variety of gadgets that gives this novel its steam-punk-isn flair.
--Great time period offers up plenty of cool “I didn’t know that” facts (many footnoted). The stuff that’s fiction is, of course, most fun, but the reality of some of the politics of Taft’s presidency and the pre-WWI era are fun (JP Morgan, Russian relations, Roosevelt, and more).
--Robert Todd Lincoln as the brooding sidekick to Taft is a really interesting pairing.
--plenty of intrigue, and a few twists but nothing that will make you say “Oh, COME ON!”
I honestly found this book to be so much fun and so smart and funny that I want everyone to read it just so we can talk about how it could be an amazing movie.
--Taft’s first appearance is in an underground boxing club.
--Taft and his entourage fly around in a zeppelin that’s supposed to be top secret but he flies it to a baseball game so he can throw out the first pitch.
--an automaton goes crazy in the White House
--Lots of insults tossed at Thomas Edison; Nikola Tesla is one of the presidents supporters and supplies him with a variety of gadgets that gives this novel its steam-punk-isn flair.
--Great time period offers up plenty of cool “I didn’t know that” facts (many footnoted). The stuff that’s fiction is, of course, most fun, but the reality of some of the politics of Taft’s presidency and the pre-WWI era are fun (JP Morgan, Russian relations, Roosevelt, and more).
--Robert Todd Lincoln as the brooding sidekick to Taft is a really interesting pairing.
--plenty of intrigue, and a few twists but nothing that will make you say “Oh, COME ON!”
I honestly found this book to be so much fun and so smart and funny that I want everyone to read it just so we can talk about how it could be an amazing movie.
July 25, 2015
Three and a half, rounded up to four for the excellent final chapters which turned around a slow-burning steam punk adventure into a full blown action romp with a few twists to boot.
It seems no writer from Cracked can publish a book that I won't enjoy. First "John Dies at the End" by the incredible David Wong. Then, "Notes from the Internet Apocalypse" by the awesome Wayne Gladstone. And now Jacopo Della Quercia, another of my favorite columnists, publishes a novel so full of love for history that it really translates for the reader just how passionate about the subject Della Quercia really is.
The amount of investigation and cross references between real world events and those purely fictional is staggering. So much so that I feel like I'd need to delve into a library worth of history archives to come close to really appreciate just how much effort was put into this novel. His depictions bring these historic characters to life under a new, fantastic light. And that ending! Without going into spoiler territory, that has to be one of the best bitter sweet endings I've had the pleasure of encountering.
Recommended for history buffs, steam punk fans, adventurers and Cracked fans alike.
It seems no writer from Cracked can publish a book that I won't enjoy. First "John Dies at the End" by the incredible David Wong. Then, "Notes from the Internet Apocalypse" by the awesome Wayne Gladstone. And now Jacopo Della Quercia, another of my favorite columnists, publishes a novel so full of love for history that it really translates for the reader just how passionate about the subject Della Quercia really is.
The amount of investigation and cross references between real world events and those purely fictional is staggering. So much so that I feel like I'd need to delve into a library worth of history archives to come close to really appreciate just how much effort was put into this novel. His depictions bring these historic characters to life under a new, fantastic light. And that ending! Without going into spoiler territory, that has to be one of the best bitter sweet endings I've had the pleasure of encountering.
Recommended for history buffs, steam punk fans, adventurers and Cracked fans alike.
August 25, 2014
This book is from the imagination of a history professor who has also contributed to Cracked.com. So what you have is a high concept alternate history sci-fi thriller, with William Howard Taft and Robert Todd Lincoln at the center, trying to thwart a plot to destroy America. Della Quercia weaves actual history (the book is heavily footnoted) with silly adventures and wrinkles, as you learn more about the influence of Taft's wife and other historical figures who rubbed elbows with the behemoth chief executive.
This is a book that relies on a lot of plot twists, so I want to refrain from describing too much. But this book is a witty thrill ride from page one, with numerous well rendered action sequences. While the characterization isn't exactly deep, I actually found myself caring about them. I would rank this book up there with Glenn David Gold's Carter Beats The Devil for tweaking history in a thoroughly gripping manner.
This is a book that relies on a lot of plot twists, so I want to refrain from describing too much. But this book is a witty thrill ride from page one, with numerous well rendered action sequences. While the characterization isn't exactly deep, I actually found myself caring about them. I would rank this book up there with Glenn David Gold's Carter Beats The Devil for tweaking history in a thoroughly gripping manner.
July 13, 2016
This book moves at breakneck speed though, having read License to Quill first, found this one harder to keep up with in terms of what was actually happening and who the players were. With that though, the humor was hysterical and the antics amazingly crazy in a good, quirky way, but it would take me a few re-readings to actually understanding everything that was happening.
I value the hard work in research and development of this complicated text and his translation into a great steampunk romp into history. Can't wait to share it for the steampunk fans, the history buffs, and the adventurers. Plus, get it in the hands of those that don't think there's anything funny out there.
Hook: action/adventure, humorous, breakneck, lively, political, complex, action oriented, fact-filled, eccentric, dramatic.
I value the hard work in research and development of this complicated text and his translation into a great steampunk romp into history. Can't wait to share it for the steampunk fans, the history buffs, and the adventurers. Plus, get it in the hands of those that don't think there's anything funny out there.
Hook: action/adventure, humorous, breakneck, lively, political, complex, action oriented, fact-filled, eccentric, dramatic.
July 27, 2014
I took a chance on this book because I'm a big history fan, and especially anything concerning Abraham Lincoln.
Now while this book doesn't focus much on Lincoln himself, it does introduce us to a new overlooked political figure and new action hero, William Howard Taft.
Yes, President Taft, that one.
What a great romp through history. Science, action, intrigue, historical figures. I love the inclusion of Tesla and Conrad.
Very well researched and pieced together.
I can't find anything not to like in this book. A very enjoyable read.
I would leave to see some other historical figures subject to the della Quercia treatment.
http://www.amazon.com/Great-Abraham-L...
Now while this book doesn't focus much on Lincoln himself, it does introduce us to a new overlooked political figure and new action hero, William Howard Taft.
Yes, President Taft, that one.
What a great romp through history. Science, action, intrigue, historical figures. I love the inclusion of Tesla and Conrad.
Very well researched and pieced together.
I can't find anything not to like in this book. A very enjoyable read.
I would leave to see some other historical figures subject to the della Quercia treatment.
http://www.amazon.com/Great-Abraham-L...
September 6, 2014
Alternate History of the Presidency of William Taft. A humorous adventure featuring Taft and Robert Lincoln (Abraham Lincoln's Son) as the try to unravel the mystery of a pocket watch Lincoln possessed the day he was assassinated. The adventure takes them across the world to Alaska, the Skull and Bones hideaway at Yale, the Congo, and even aboard the Titanic. A wonderful cast of historical characters have to keep the bumbling and rotund Taft out of harms way at every turn. Fans of 'steampunk' and historical fiction will enjoy this novel, although there is virtually nothing steampunk about it. The mystery is logically resolved and the villains are properly evil. This novel becomes increasingly enjoyable as it evolves.
November 9, 2014
First let me say that I thought there was a fun premise here -- a steampunk romp with Wm Howard Taft as the star? Brilliant. Now the bad news: the writing is facile at best, but firmly stuck in the juvenile vein most of the time. It reads like a graphic novel -- without pictures. I understand that the author is a historian -- his research is flawless, but his relentless didactic tone (tying throw-away details to documented newspaper articles of the time) comes off self-serving and a bit smug. When the author is not pointing out history, he's explaining it -- which comes off as though he thinks the reader is unknowledgeable. I think there's a good graphic novel here, it's just too bad there weren't any illustrations.
February 9, 2015
Always a fan of writing involving our "lesser known" presidents, I was excited at the idea of a book focusing on Taft (or, as he's called in my circles, "Bathtub President"). Everything just works in this story: the real-life characters, the humor, the steampunk element, the drama and, of course, Agent Wilkie. Taft is usually presented as a blundering fool, as he's always compared with Roosevelt, and he has his silly moments also in this book; but della Quercia also manages to present a pleasant and endearing side to Taft, in addition to Tough Guy Taft. The ending definitely put me through a rollercoaster of emotions, but it was definitely worth it. My only hope is that when I come back in another life, I can come back as someone as awesome as Wilkie. Five stars!
August 18, 2017
At last! An adventure involving America's greatest (literally!) President and Trustbuster, dearest to Augustans' hearts as Augusta (that's in Georgia) was dear to him. And none other than his dashing and ill-fated military aide, Major Archibald Butt, at his side, commanding his airship! Throw in Abe Lincoln's son, Robert, a hard-boiled Secret Service chief with a fondness for Havana cigars, Dr. Tesla, the House of Morgan, and the Guggenheim trust and you have the recipe for a ripping steampunk yarn. This is the book for you to read in large gulps in between tasty bites of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky.
September 11, 2015
Fabulous first novel. I was introduced to the author via Cracked, like many others, and I had a copy of the book sitting on my shelf for almost a year. My only regret is not reading it sooner so I could be on my second read by now. I don't want to spoil anything, because every last detail is a real surprise, especially if one is familiar with historical events, and Jacopo not only pays an enormous attention to detail, but he also does it in a very clever way: by being funny.
A real page-turner, this is the way steampunk and historical fiction should be written. Looking forward to license to quill, and this time around I'll be sure to reading it upon arrival.
A real page-turner, this is the way steampunk and historical fiction should be written. Looking forward to license to quill, and this time around I'll be sure to reading it upon arrival.
August 6, 2015
Brilliant. I kept on not expecting to like this as much as I really, really did. Steampunk 1910s madness featuring characters you remember from your history class (and not just Americans), madcap laugh-out-loud humor and frankly inpsired storytelling in a way you would only expect from a Cracked.com author. Some parts of this were beautifully absurd in a way I haven't seen since Catch-22 or Hitchhiker's Guide. The author fills the story with all sorts of bits of reality, providing footnotes with sources for the meticulously researched little details that you wouldn't otherwise expect to actually have happened. Good clean fun from start to finish.
January 29, 2015
I'm going through a phase where if a book has more than three words in the title (the/of not included), it automatically ends up in my to-read pile (I blame you, The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared. So glad I fished this one out! Steampunk, science and history - three of my favourite topics (to read about in one entertaining read.
October 9, 2014
An uneven - well, beyond uneven, jagged really, like broken glass - mars a great concept and some kick-ass characters. I think another term might be "heavy handed" - I could never lose the sense that the author's fingers were wrapped around each and every character, making them talk, walk, swear - and fight, lots of fighting - without any clear idea of what was going to happen next. That made for some confusing reading. There may have been some master plot design to the whole book - but it still felt like a video game, only starring historical characters in a steampunk setting.
July 14, 2015
This book is amazing, if you love early 20th century American history, steampunk, or other of those elements in a book. The twists and turns in this book are part of what made me love it, since the end of every page led to another mystery beginning. Jacopo Della Quercia knows his history and it really shows in this novel, with many characters from history coming to life, both famous and obscure ones. Some characters that show up in the novel include President William Howard Taft, Robert Todd Lincoln, Nickola Tesla, and others.
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