Abraham Lincoln's Traveling Medicine Show

by Mike Trippiedi

Historical fiction meets political satire.
Seamlessly mixing fact with fiction, Abraham Lincoln's Traveling Medicine Show, is a theatrical retelling of the Lincoln assassination, the hunt for John Wilkes Booth, and the thirteen-day presidential funeral, as seen through the eyes of the doctors, soldiers, friends, and family members - Union loyalists and Confederate sympathizers - who find themselves players in a tragedy spun out of control by the political agenda of others.
It's a tale of truth; both the search for and the avoidance of it, echoing on issues still relevant today on topics that range from the role of women in society, to racism, homophobia, and the division of country.
The drama is fierce. The humor is dark. And the story is true. Sort of.

512 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2025

About the author

Mike Trippiedi is a writer of all things from blogs to novels. He lives in Champaign, IL with his wife, Sue, and their cat, Greta.
He can be found on Threads @miketrippiedi
and on Bluesky @miketrippiedi.bsky.social

Reviews

[M.N. Seeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading Abraham Lincoln’s Traveling Medicine Show, I had enough understanding of the events to pass a quiz but not enough to write an essay. Why? Because I’m Canadian, so much so that it pained me not to put the double L in Travel(l)ing.

I’m sure more than a few of the changes Trippiedi made to the events surely went right over my head. Since I’m impervious to factual distractions regarding this subject, my enjoyment was not hindered in the least. I got to read and experience this novel for the story being told, and I’m pleased to say it was a delight. The writing is detailed and clever, and there’s no doubt Trippiedi is passionate about telling this story. Each chapter unfolded more and more layers and details.

I recommend this book to anyone, whether or not they enjoy historical satire, whether or not they are American, and whether or not they like stovepipe hats.

[Matthew]

This book has a HUGE cast of characters, as is the canvass on which Mike Trippiedi paints his portrait of America in the days after Lincoln's assassination. My head was spinning at first and I was tempted to pick up a history book to discern what was historical and what was not, but once I realized what the author was doing I just let the details wash over me--I can always read a history later. THIS is a novel, not a historical account, and to that end it's a little bit wild and loose with the facts, a little shaggy dog tale, and done with heart and humor.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

very imaginative, well researched , and helps fill in blanks in what occurred after the assassination.

Very fun read