The Day Lincoln Lost

by Charles Rosenberg

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.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Alternate History, Politics, Mystery

432 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 4, 2020

About the author

Charles (“Chuck”) Rosenberg’s latest novel (his fifth) is the alternate history thriller The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washington. It imagines what might have happened if the British, in the midst of the Revolution, had kidnapped George Washington and taken him back to England to be tried for high treason.

Chuck’s interest in the American Revolution was first piqued when his 5th grade teacher made him memorize Longfellow’s The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. To this day, he can still recite it if you ask him to (his wife, however, requests that you not ask). His interest continued in college, where he majored in history, with a particular penchant for studying the Revolution.

Now that his American Revolution novel is done and soon to be released, Chuck is at work on a new alternative history, set six months before the start of the Civil War, a period of extreme political stress, but one that has not figured as much in fiction as the Civil War itself.

The first novel Rosenberg ever wrote (we will skip talking about the one he never finished because that was truly a long time ago) was the legal thriller Death on a High Floor, which became an Amazon best-seller in 2014. It’s about the murder of the managing partner of a large international law firm. Rosenberg is quick to point out that the large firms in which he was a partner were really quite nice places; unlike the firm in the novel. That novel was followed by two sequels and the start of a new series in Write to Die, which is set in a glitzy entertainment law firm in Hollywood.

Prior to turning to writing fiction (and in addition to practicing law), Chuck was the credited legal script consultant to three prime time television shows: L.A. Law, The Practice and Boston Legal, as well as the TV show The Paper Chase (Showtime). During the O .J. Simpson criminal trial, he was one of two on-air legal analysts for E! Entertainment Television's live coverage of the trial. He also provided commentary for E!'s coverage of the Simpson civil trial.

Rosenberg has also taught extensively as an adjunct law professor, including at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles (where he currently teaches the course "Law and Popular Culture"), the Loyola Law School International LLM Program in Bologna, Italy, the UCLA School of Law, the Pepperdine School of Law, and the Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA.

A graduate of Antioch College and the Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Harvard Law Review, Chuck currently practices in the Los Angeles area where he lives with his wife, who is the very effective “in-house” initial editor of everything he writes.

Reviews

[Alyson Stone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book: The Day Lincoln Lost
Author: Charles Rosenberg
Rating: 2 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank the publisher, Hanover Square Press, for providing me with an ARC.

This is one of those books that sounds good, but ends up missing something to really bring it home. When I first started reading, I was very interested in the plot and the characters, but as I kept on going, something just fell apart. The book lost its’ feeling and ended up falling really flat. Plus, the book didn’t really follow history. I know that this is historical fiction and all, but you still have to be at least halfway right as to what actually happened. If not, then you need to make it very clear that this is alternative history.

Let’s talk about history for a minute. Readers are going to pick up on the fact that this does not follow history. I’ve read a lot of historical fiction and, no, they don’t always follow the actual events. However, it also made very clear early on what the author is going to do. We go in knowing that the author has changed things up. This one, it wasn’t made clear. I went in expecting it to actually follow what happened and it didn’t. it felt choppy. On the one hand, it felt like the author was trying to stay true to history, but, yet, at the same time, not. I thought this was going to be a focus Lincoln trying to get elected, not a slave girl. Plus, a lot just didn’t happen. I think the author should have done some more research or had an actual expert look over his information and offer pointers and tips. Then, I think it could have been better.

The plot was kind of a train wreck. There was so many characters and they lacked the proper development, which made it very difficult for me to remember who is who. Plus, the way the book is being marketed has readers expecting one thing and ended up with another. However, let’s talk plot. The plot could have been good. We had all of the bones of a good plot, but it ended up not coming out. Had we just kept our focus on Lucy and her escape, I would have really enjoyed it. However, we, then changed over to Lincoln trying to get elected and it just fell apart. Again, this made for a rather jarring read. I can do messy plots and I expect thrillers to be messy, but it just didn’t work here.

This was a miss for me and everything I’m saying is what others have said. I just hope that the publisher and author listen to us. In this state, the book does not work.

This book comes out on August 11, 2020.

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: The Day Lincoln Lost

Author: Charles Rosenberg

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 3/5

Recommended For...: Historical fiction, Lincoln fans

Publication Date: August 4, 2020

Publisher: Hanover Square Press

Pages: 432

Recommended Age: 15+ (politics, slavery TW, slight violence)

Synopsis: 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.

Review: For the most part this book was ok. I liked the character dynamic between Lincoln and Lucy and I liked the character development. The book also had well done world building.

However, this was a really weird book. The book was kinda disjointed in the writing and the book had some confusing plot points. I also felt very uneasy with how Lucy was wrote and I'd love to read a Black reviewer's perspective on her. The book is also not historically accurate which is my problem with historical fiction books. If you're going to write historical fiction books please try to be accurate.

Verdict: It was good, just not what I expected.

[David Kent · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite a few plot holes, I enjoyed reading most of the main story even though it had absolutely nothing to do with the title. Then with less than 10% of the book left, the author seemed to remember what he promised in the title and created an entirely contrived, ahistorical ending that left me feeling betrayed.

The historical accuracy was weak in several areas. John Hay, for example, is elevated in Lincoln's employ for no apparent purpose while John Nicolay, the more important at the time, is not even mentioned. At one point the author mentions that Edwin Stanton served as co-counsel with Lincoln the previous year (1859) in Missouri for the Illinois Central Railroad; in fact, they were barely co-counsel (Lincoln had little to do with the actual case), it was in Ohio, and it was about the Manny-McCormick reaper. There are other inconsistencies unnecessary for the story line that suggest simply lack of attention to detail and/or indolence. One huge plot hole for me was the suggestion midway that a member of law enforcement murdered a key figure, presumably at the behest of the sitting President of the United States, but then this was ignored for the rest of the book as if it hadn't happened. In addition, there were two significant characters of the main story who were still somehow treated as secondary even though they drove much of the action.

But this is fiction, so even all the historical and plot holes could have been overlooked even though as a Lincoln scholar I found it irritating. The main storyline revolves around an escaped enslaved girl and a trial. Again, there are logical and plot lapses that boggle the mind but the writing is compelling enough to make the 90% a satisfying enough read. But then comes the ending. Realizing perhaps that the meaning of the title would be confounding to anyone reading this far because it was completely unrelated to the story, the author switches to a wholly contrived rewriting of history to set up an election scenario in the House of Representatives. I found this part not only not compelling, but overly contrived and not very interesting to read. The concept may have worked if the author had spent the first 90% of the book setting the stage, but instead it seems simply a way to have the title make sense even if the story no longer does. The ending itself lost the book a star in the rating.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really interesting book! And reading it as the 2020 election is still being decided was exactly the perfect time. The election in this book is so much worse, with the consequences being so much more dire than our current one. It's good to have this perspective. We are definitely not living in the most divided time in the country, and not the worst time by far.

(It was amusing that in this story, they have to patiently wait for PA results too. And, it would have been much quieter now if we still had the custom of the candidates staying home and not campaigning for themselves. )

I grew up in Springfield, IL steeped in the legend of Abraham Lincoln, so it's always good to get different perspectives and ideas about his life and times.

(Adding a quick note: as I'm looking at other reviews, some people are not understanding this is an alternative history. It definitely is. But it is based in fact, and the alternative is entirely plausible - close enough to be interesting and scary. It's good to get the perspective of "this possibility was so scary we're lucky we dodged it !" sometimes. If you like history and political problems, I highly recommend this.)

[Ashley Giammona · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 2/5 Stars

I wanted to like this book; I really did. However, it fell flat on almost every avenue. I left feeling lost as to what the book was really about, why the title was called “The Day Lincoln Lost,” and why I was lied to as a reader to make a story more interesting… when the real historical facts would have made it better!

Plot: In the year and months before Lincoln is to become president, a twelve-year-old slave named Lucy escapes her plantation “home” in Kentucky and flees north with the hope of making it to Canada with help from the Underground Railroad. Lucy is caught in Springfield, Illinois where Republican candidate Lincoln lives. Springfield is a city divided--full of abolitionists as well as slave catchers. Due to the Fugitive Slave Act, Lucy is forced by court order to return home to her plantation when a riot breaks out. From there the story is entrenched in Lincoln’s decisions regarding a runaway slave in his city, what he stands for as a man and future President, taking us to his election day and thereafter.

What I Liked: The writing itself was good and I easily imagined the situations and characters. I think the author truly was interested in the topic and the true historical characters which can be seen in the historical notes at the end. The best part of the story was the feminist characters who were radical and incredible for what they did during that time period.

What I Didn’t Like: There wasn’t any part of this book that I was excited about. The story itself seemed extremely fractioned. 60% is about Lincoln in his hometown and his association with the slave, Lucy. Then it takes a rapid turn for about 30% of the book to focus on Lincoln and not winning the popular vote. It felt excessively long-winded and boring with unnecessary characters and chapters. To make matters worse, the author took huge liberties with the historical accuracy of the characters. Though admittedly a work of fiction, this makes the reader feel like the reliability of the story is off and that we’ve been lied to for the whole novel. Even the title of the book fails to make sense as Lincoln never actually loses anything in the story.

There are good ideas in the book, but I would not recommend this book to my friends, blog readers or “bookstagram” friends in its current form.

I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Shomeret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a review copy of The Day Lincoln Lost from the publisher via Net Galley when I signed up for the blog tour. The Day Lincoln Lost is the second alternate history I've read by Charles Rosenberg. The first was The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washington . As an aficionado of alternate history, I was delighted to find another example of the genre that is well-researched and plausible.

My readers will want to know about the characterization of Abraham Lincoln in Rosenberg's book. You should know that I'm not a huge fan of Lincoln. It seems to me that he was a pragmatic politician, and that he didn't intend to be the President who emancipated the slaves. I think that Charles Rosenberg shows us a Lincoln who could be pragmatic, but he also cared about justice and about the United States of America remaining intact. In this novel, Lincoln was a complex figure who was neither a saint nor a cynic, but somewhere in between.

A nuanced protagonist like this Lincoln is what makes The Day That Lincoln Lost an intriguing book. I recommend it to other readers who enjoy wandering into the rabbit holes of what if in alternate history.

For the blog tour post and my complete review see https://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/2...

[Doug Yonce · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking forward to an interesting treatment of the topic, but instead felt that the book moved too slowly and with little to attract attention or renown. Historical fiction needs a lot of factual background onto which the story is painted. I didn’t feel a connection to the story. I received an advanced digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are someone who thinks that this time in our political history is unprecedented, Charles Rosenberg's alternate history political thriller, The Day Lincoln Lost, may disabuse you of that notion.

Abraham Lincoln is laying low, waiting out his time as the Republican nominee for President in 1860 at his home in Springfield. Abby Kelley Foster, a famous abolitionist speaker, was asked to give a talk at a local church about the need to end slavery now. She was not a fan of Lincoln's gradual approach to end slavery, and let everyone know that, even in his hometown of Springfield.

Lucy, a twelve year-old girl who had escaped slavery, was captured and jailed in Springfield, awaiting her return to Goshorn, the man who "owned" her. Foster encouraged the crowd to "do something about this", and the crowd surrounded the carriage she was being taken away in. Lucy and Goshorn disappeared into the night.

Foster was arrested for inciting the riot and placed in the Springfield jail. Abraham Lincoln and his law partner Billy Herndon reluctantly agree to represent Foster at her trial, after much discussion about how this will politically affect Lincoln's run for president.

They strategize that the best outcome would be to find Lucy and Goshorn, so they turn to the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Pinkerton puts one of his best agents on the job- a woman by the name of Annabelle, who just so happens to have grown up on a plantation neighboring the missing slave owner.

I liked that the novel had two women who were in roles not usually occupied by females- lecture speakers and detective. The inclusion of actual people in the story, both famous- Lincoln, Allan Pinkerton, and Frederick Douglass- and less well known made for a more interesting story.

President James Buchanan, widely considered one of our worst presidents, is seen here as someone who cares little of the serious problems facing his country, and more concerned with the machinations to defeat Lincoln. That section may have some resonance for readers today.

One paragraph that particularly struck me is this:
"There is such bitterness in our politics now that people want to avoid arguments with their neighbors, their families, and the people they work with. Or, if they are merchants, with the people they sell goods to."
I guess the rancor we see today didn't start with Twitter; it has been with us a long time.

In this novel, the election of 1860 was not decided immediately by popular vote. No candidate received enough electoral votes to claim victory, which sends the vote to the House of Representatives. (Political junkies will truly enjoy this section of the novel.) I only hope our upcoming election is easier.

The Day Lincoln Lost will appeal to people who like historical fiction as well as political thrillers. The writing is crisp and the characters well drawn. And it reminds us that this union has survived difficult times in the past, and will do so in the future.

Thanks to Harlequin/Hanover Square Press for putting me on Charles Rosenberg's tour.

[Theodene · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some reason I get emails about the books Charles Rosenberg writes. There’s a few in my ebook shelf. However, I’ve never gotten around to reading any of it. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and now I regret not getting around to the others!
We all know Abraham Lincoln and his Gettysburg Address. We know he’s the sixteenth President and was assassinated at Ford Theater. He’s also known to be tall and wear a top hat, depicted in many photographs. What isn’t popularized is what his life might have been like prior to his Presidency.

The Day Lincoln Lost is a historical fiction account of the months between Lincoln’s nomination and becoming President-elect. Many names, places, situations are similar to the events of that time while many are also fictitious. It is quite interesting to read about a situation a popular political figure may have experienced in his time.

Prior to becoming President, Lincoln was a lawyer who practiced in Springfield, Illinois. During this era, there were strong differences in opinion regarding slavery versus abolitionists. The Southern states were generally for slavery while most Northern states recognized slaves as free and many assisted the slaves in what was called the Underground Railroad.

It might have been common for abolitionists to travel the North to speak about abolishing slavery. It might also have been popular for slaves to escape and head North, many hoping to get to Canada. Lincoln would be cautious in taking slavery-related cases as it could jeopardize his chance to gain a majority electoral vote.

In this book, Lincoln reluctantly takes on a case to defend an abolitionist speaker who was jailed for encouraging others to riot and remove an escaped slave from custody to prevent such slave from returning to her so-called owner. It is quite harmful to take this case as well as to not agree to acquit the speaker should he become President. Apparently, Lincoln did not believe in putting the carriage before the horse, so to speak.

I will admit that I did not know about the politics for a Presidential election where none of the candidates receive a majority vote. I also was not aware that the potential for the South to secede was so great during the election process. There’s always something new to learn when you get down into the trenches, though, right?

The Day Lincoln Lost by Charles Rosenberg was provided complimentary in exchange for an honest review on NetGalley. I give this book five out of five tiaras because it kept me so captivated I actually lost sleep to finish it!

[Rajiv · Rating 3 out of 5]

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Let me preface by saying that I don’t know much about the history of Abraham Lincoln other than the very basic biodata. Hence, I enjoyed reading this story because it opened my eyes to research the topic further.

The author starts off the story brilliantly as we see Lucy on the run. As the story progresses, the author introduces us to additional characters that lead to a bigger picture. The characters are also nicely drawn. I particularly liked Clarence and thought he stood out in his conversations with Lincoln and Abby. Similarly, even Annabelle was electrifying in the scenes with Polly and Hostetler. Another highlight of the story was the trial. I love novels where we have a riveting court case, and this book did not disappoint on that account. It was fascinating to see how Lincoln and Lizar conducted Abby’s trial.

However, after reading the story, I researched the topic further and found that the events in the tale are altered and not what happened in reality. While I understand that this is historical fiction and the author has the right to spin the story, I felt disappointed after finding this out as someone with limited knowledge about the Presidency. Moreover, the story felt disjointed towards the end, as the trial events get over pretty early on the story, and the rest of the book follows Lincoln’s Presidency and the politics with the vote. Also, I felt that there were too many characters on the canvas, and some of the scenes were unnecessary.

Nevertheless, I found this to be a very captivating novel. Overall, “The Day Lincoln Lost” is a decent historical novel, which I recommend reading but not benchmark against the actual events that transpired.

[Elliot A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Day Lincoln Lost in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Gist

The story is set against the backdrop of the 1860 presidential election, a pivotal moment in American history. Rosenberg presents a scenario where Lincoln's victory is not assured. The novel explores the ramifications of a contentious and closely contested election, where political maneuvering and legal battles play crucial roles. As Lincoln faces formidable opponents and a divided nation, the narrative delves into the complex dynamics of power, ambition, and destiny.

The Details

Rosenberg's characters are vividly portrayed and historically grounded. Abraham Lincoln is depicted with depth and nuance, highlighting his political acumen and moral dilemmas. The cast includes real historical figures, such as Stephen Douglas, and fictional characters who add layers of intrigue and perspective. Each character is given a distinct voice, contributing to the rich tapestry of the story.

Rosenberg's writing is engaging and meticulously researched. His attention to historical detail immerses readers in the period, capturing the political atmosphere and social tensions of the time. The dialogue is sharp and reflective of the era, enhancing the authenticity of the narrative. Rosenberg balances historical exposition with dramatic storytelling, keeping readers invested in the unfolding events.

The novel explores themes of democracy, leadership, and the fragility of history. It raises questions about the impact of individual choices and the course of history, inviting readers to ponder how different outcomes might have shaped the nation. The ethical and political challenges faced by the characters underscore the complexities of governance and the enduring struggle for justice and equality.

The Verdict

Overall, The Day Lincoln Lost is a thought-provoking and engaging work of historical fiction. Rosenberg's imaginative premise and meticulous execution offer a fresh perspective on a well-known historical figure and event. The novel succeeds in blending historical fact with speculative fiction, providing a compelling narrative that will appeal to history buffs and fans of political drama alike.

[David Dunlap · Rating 3 out of 5]

The year is 1860, and sectional strife between Northern and Southern United States threatens to boil over in a presidential election year. Noted abolitionist Abby Kelley Foster is in Springfield, IL, the home town of Abraham Lincoln, whom many suspect may become the next President of the United States. As she gives her standard stock anti-slavery speech, Abby is made aware that -- across town -- an escaped slave girl (Lucy, 12 years old) has been captured and has been ordered returned to her Kentucky master, under terms of the hated Fugitive Slave Act. In Washington, a tired but crafty President James Buchanan conspires with his attorney general to exploit the small riot that resulted from the attempted transfer of the slave girl out of Springfield...and the subsequent disappearance of both slave and master, in the hopes that he can block Lincoln's election. Abby is arrested for breaking the Fugitive Slave Law and put on trial in Springfield. Abraham Lincoln would like nothing more than to see this entire issue blow over without his having to make a vote-costing decision re: Mrs. Foster's fate. He secretly hires an agent from the Allan Pinkerton Agency to find the missing Lucy. Meanwhile, newspaperman Clarence Artemis wants to get his abolitionist paper off the ground -- by interviewing candidteLincoln or by finding Lucy himself. All these ingredients get stirred into a rather heady stew that makes for interesting reading. It is not giving anything away (given the title of the book) to say that Buchanan's machinations work -- in the election, Lincoln does not secure the necessary number of electoral votes to win the Presidency (he loses both Pennsylvania and Indiana) -- and the ultimate decision is then thrown into the House of Representatives. Will Lincoln ultimately triumph? Or will the nation be saddled with a slave-holding Acting President? Will the Southern states secede? -- Since this is an alternative history, one does not find out the answers to these (and other) questions until late in the novel...which serves to introduce an element of suspense. An especially appealing aspect of this book -- at least, for this reader -- was the opportunity to see Abraham Lincoln from some angles different from what we are used to: as a candidate and as a trial lawyer. -- Recommended to any & all readers to whom the subject matter appeals...

[Julie Failla Earhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been an admirer of Abraham Lincoln and his family since I first learned of him in grade school. I’m always up for reading anything about him, be it fiction or fact. I admit, however, that I was a tad skeptical of the premise of this novel, that Lincoln lost the 1860 election (that premise was born strictly from reading the title). Alternative history isn’t my thing.

I wasn’t sure how this story would start, but I was hooked from the very beginning. It’s Kentucky in 1860. Twelve-year-old Lucy Battelle, a slave, is about to be sold. It’s probably a good thing given that Riverview’s current master, Ezekiel Goshorn, is quite cruel and quite inept to run a plantation. However, Lucy has heard what happens to slaves who are sold “Down South.” So she runs away.

She runs and runs. She is discovered in one of her hiding place, but her discoverer was an abolitionist. He takes her to Springfield, Illinois, where she is to be placed on the Underground Railroad. Goshorn also makes his way to Springfield. Unfortunately she is captured.

Across town, Abby Kelly Foster, a fiery abolitionist, is making a speech about the evils of slavery. Seems everyone, almost, who was any one is Springfield was there. After the speech, the crowd bursts out into the square and create a small riot, and Lucy escapes again.

Foster is arrested on inciting a riot and is jailed. She manages to convince Lincoln to represent her, although the damage that may be caused to the upcoming presidential election and the Republican Party is high.

It’s quite interesting to watch/hear Lincoln decide what to do. He takes the case and hope for the best. The trial becomes a circus, with the election coming closer and closer. Then the story goes into an in-depth look that Constitution’s Twelfth Amendment, which was quiet apropos given that the United States, when I was reading this, was undergoing a crisis of leadership. The Twelfth Amendment is about the Electoral College, which I don’t really understand. Therefore given all that about the Twelfth Amendment and that Lincoln didn’t lose anything as far as the title is concerned, The Day Lincoln Lost receives 4 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lincoln finds himself the Republican nominee for President at a very contentious time in history. The country is divided on slavery and while Lincoln is against it, he needs to be careful not to state his opinion either way to avoid upsetting any voters. Abby Foster comes to Lincoln's hometown of Springfield, IL to give a speech about abolition of slavery. The same day as Abby's speech, a young fugitive slave, Lucy, is brought to court and ordered to be returned to her owner. As the owner and slave attempt to leave the courthouse, they are met by an angry mob who does want Lucy forced back into slavery. The owner returns to the courthouse and plans to leave at night when the mob has gone away. After Abby gives her passionate speech, the owner attempts to take Lucy and is again met by the mob, who separate Lucy and the owner. Abby is charged with influencing the mob violence by the government in an effort to hurt Lincoln's chances at the Presidency. Lincoln is being pressured to day if he would pardon Abby if she is found guilty. Lincoln wants to stay above the fray but can he in his hometown?

I like to read historical fiction books but this is my first about this time period. I enjoyed the real historical facts and learning about this time in our history. I also enjoyed the writing style as the author tells the story from a few different characters views. Most of all I liked the portrayal of Lincoln. He is a man who wants to stay the course and do what is right. He is against corruption even when presented a change to guarantee himself the presidency.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction or this time period in particular. The only downside to the book was it was almost two books in one with one book focused on Lincoln's election and one focused on Abby and her trial

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lincoln Tries an Abolitionist Case

Lucy, a twelve-year-old slave girl, is desperate to escape the plantation where she was born. On the way to being sold, she escapes and heads for the underground railroad where she hopes to get help. Unfortunately, she’s captured in Springfield, Missouri, where Lincoln practices law. He’s running for president and trying to keep a low profile while waiting for the vote count.

Abby Kelley Foster, a fiery abolitionist speaker, is in Springfield and eager to give a speech. She thinks Lincoln’s approach to ending slavery is too gradual, and she wants to make the point in his city.

Lucy is scheduled to be returned to her owner because of the Fugitive Slave Law. In her speech, Abby incites a crowd to keep Lucy from being taken. This ends in her being charged with inciting a riot. She wants the best lawyer in Springfield to represent her, so she goes to Lincoln. He reluctantly agrees although he worries that it will cost him the election.

This is an interesting novel about the time just before Lincoln became President. The emotions are well portrayed, but the plot is not particularly historically accurate. For me, this made the book rather choppy. The author did explain the historical discrepancies in a note at the end, but that didn’t work well for me.

The book had a great many characters. This made the character development for most of them rather sketchy. I thought the author tried to tell too many stories in detail within the confines of a single book which made it difficult to get interested in any one character.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

[Trick Wiley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Received this book from Net Gallery and it's a story about slavery where this 12 year of girl escaped and ended up in Lincolns hometown of Springfield Ill. Right before his election. This is suppose to be a free state for slaves but the whole state and town are torn on whether they believe in slavery or not! You have a lot of options going on through the main characters where to me after awhile they start to get boring. The historical facts in this book I will have to disagree with where I looked up some and where wrong,especially when it came to Lincoln's thinking and what actually happened. Will this Lucy slave have to go back with her slave master or can the ones who don't believe in slavery free her? You have a new paper guy starting up a newspaper for abolitionist,you have All sorts of abolitionist people running around,everyone has a opinion but yet no one wants to do anything about it cause someone else may not like it and upset them. You have the famous Abby Kelly Foster making speeches at churches or anywhere someone might listen. The time period is 1860 right before Lincoln becomes president and before the War Between the States. I thought at first it was going to be really good the way it was starting out,but then with this and that it just was the same thing and the story not going anywhere. I was somewhat disappointed because it seem like such a great book.To much political stuff and not enough story for me!

[Sallie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish to thank Net Galley and the Hanover Square Press for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and am reviewing it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love historical fiction as it usually pulls me into a story. These stories are usually based on history and enlightens me to what might have been going on during prior times. I am not sure what is real and what is fiction with this story.

This book follows a trial just prior to the election Lincoln hoped would make him President of the United States. Lincoln agrees to represent a woman who is charged with inciting a riot. This riot was to allow a 12 year old slave girl to escape custody and having to be returned to her master in Kentucky. The book also deals a lot with the Electoral College process in elections. It introduces the Pinkerton Detective Agency noting that they did have some women agents.

Reading this book resulted in me learning more about the abolitionist Abby Kelley Foster and also the Pinkerton Detective Agency.

There is nowhere in the book that the idea that Lincoln lost something is proven. So I feel the title is totally misleading. It is unclear to me why this title was chosen.

I enjoyed the book as fiction. But, this is not one I would strongly recommend to my friends.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typically when stating that a book features an alternate time line, you are reading a scifi book. Charles Rosenberg has given us an alternate reality book that is more thriller/ historical fiction with a twist. It will definitely make you wonder "what if" and not just about Lincoln's presidency and the Civil War but many more elections that would have led the US on a different path.

Set in the 1860's during the time just before the elections, this book has a more contemporary feel to it. The Lincoln debates are very much an important part of his election history, but what if a young woman journalist, an abolitionist, decides that the best way to advance her cause is to become an active member of the debates. It's a unique approach written with skill by an author who knows how to capture reader's attention. Add in a very divisive party line and this could very well be written about an election in more recent history. I was very surprised how Charles Rosenberg managed to take a well known period in history and add enough twists to keep the story moving swiftly towards a result we are all familiar with but keep the mystery element in place. This took some very skilled writing. This is a really good book for anyone interested in the period.

[Nancyann · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Day Lincoln Lost has a title that pulls you in but doesn't deliver on content. Historical fiction, I'm afraid the fiction part took precedent over the historical activities of the time. I'm not sure what the 'thriller" part of the story was supposed to be. Lincoln has accepted the Republican nomination for the 1860 election, the country is on the brink of civil war, a missing slave named Lucy features prominently for the first 2/3 of the book then is completely forgotten about until a surprise reveal, there is nothing accurate about the portrayal of how Lincoln wins the controversial election, and too many pages are devoted to a trial that doesn't move the story along. I did enjoy the brief descriptions of Lincoln and his partner Billy Herndon in Springfield, IL. As mentioned in the book, their law offices today still have the sign advertising perhaps the two most famous law partners in our country. I wanted to love the book but it fell into the "only okay" category.

[Ginny Hawkenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book from the new books shelf during my first post-pandemic trip to my public library. I love historical fiction, particularly that which is rooted in fact. This book fits that to a T with an interesting twist in that it reimagines the outcome of the presidential election of 1860. It moves a little bit slow in areas but the characters are interesting, if a tad under developed for my liking, enough to keep you reading with the promise of a twist.
Mr. Rosenberg's writing style is uncomplicated and straightforward and lends itself to an easy reading experience. This book would be an interesting for a student pursuing an interesting what if project on President Lincoln. I did find the trial scenes to be an interesting parallel with the events of January 6, 2021 - did a speech incite riotous activity and was the speaker responsible for the results.
Overall a good read, not a great one.

[Reeca Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lucy is a runaway slave. She has a goal of reaching Canada. However, she is captured in Springfield. This is the town of Abraham Lincoln. It is also a town divided with abolitionist and people who capture slaves for a living. A riot breaks out just as she is about to be sent back to her plantation in Kentucky.

This story started really well. I was captivated by Lucy and her plight, escaping slavery. But, the story changed and moved to Lincoln’s bid for the White House and his decisions that affect a runaway slave. That’s when the story just fell apart for me. The characters just did not keep my interest and the alternative history was a miss.

But, some people enjoy alternative history and this could be right up your alley. Check it out!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

[Stephanie H · Rating 2 out of 5]

Following multiple escape attempts of an enslaved girl, Abraham Lincoln finds himself in the middle of a trial in the lead up to a presidential election.

I really am not sure what this book was trying to be at all. I don’t know what Lincoln lost other than an initial vote, and if this is supposed to be an alternate history, it’s quite possibly the most boring alternate history I could ever think of. Parts of the book were relatively compelling, but there was a lot of stuff that just kind of fell by the wayside or felt like fluff that never ended up being resolved. Why do they talk so much about Annabelle being a great shot but never have her use a gun?

I did not enjoy this book as it just seemed pointless and the title felt like it was trying to draw readers in rather than fit the story.

[Carol Deegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book until near the end where the author spent a lot of time talking about the fact Lincoln did not win the popular vote in the election of 1860, and that the electoral vote was manipulated. In fact Lincoln did win the popular vote as well as a majority of the electoral vote. I felt the book was very boring talking about the election. In reading the historical notes at the end of the book, I discovered the book was not accurate. I’m not sure why the author did not use the actual facts, rather than choose to put them at the end of the book. It definitely makes me question the validity of the entire book. I cannot recommend this book. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Andy Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Charles Rosenberg has an original alternate history supposition: what if Lincoln lost the election of 1860?

When I first read the premise, I wanted to read the book, primarily because I couldn't see how that could happen historically. Mr. Rosenberg has a great premise and makes the entire scenario extremely believable.

Along the way, he covers Lincoln's lawyering style in-depth, his life-long friend and partner Heredon, abolitionists, the evils of slavery, and details about the underground railroad.

I recommend this book for lovers of alternate history and historical fiction.

[Angela Williamson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoy historical fiction and even enjoy some alternate theory of history fiction. I thought that was what I was getting when I started reading The Day Lincoln Lost by Charles Rosenberg.
The story opens with a 12 year old slave girl escaping from Kentucky and ending up in Springfield, Illinois where Lincoln was running for President. Ater that point, I began to get a little lost. The writing is good but, the the facts have become so far fetched that I just didn't enjoy it. I realize an author can and does take liberties when writing fiction but, I just did not enjoy this story. I'm sorry NetGalley and Hanover Square. This one was just a miss for me.

[Emily Joesting]

This was set just prior to Lincoln winning the 1860 presidental election, when he was a lawyer in Springfield, Illinois and decided to defend Abby Kelly Foster when she was charged with causing a riot which led to an enslaved girl not being returned to her master. I did not remember that Lincoln won the election in the House after failing to collect enough electoral votes, so the end of the novel was interesting to see that process and how he was ultimately the winner of the election.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting angle on a non-fiction matter, made into fiction. I have read many books on the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln, both fiction and non-fiction, and this an interesting addition to my list.

[Cara Sweet · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Liked it more than I thought I would. Worth the read (even though the last few chapters are unnecessary and somewhat slow). Appreciated the inclusion of historical facts at the conclusion of the novel.

[Barb Czz]

This book was incredible. I love history and the novel wove the history about the 1860 election details and life at this time.
Slavery was a huge problem that divided the country. Today some things have not really changed.
I look forward to reading the other historical novels by this author.

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title doesn’t help the book in that it causes the reader to wonder, is this where Lincoln loses? Beyond that nagging question, it was a fun “what if” read with red herrings and a touch of mystery.

The author’s Washington book was a favorite - will definitely give his next a look.