First published 2009
Abraham Lincoln steps onto the platform in Ottawa, Illinois, ready to challenge Senator Stephen Douglas in the first of seven grueling debates. The year is 1858, and the Illinois Senate seat hangs in the balance. Douglas commands respect as an established politician, but Lincoln brings sharp wit and unwavering principles about slavery's future in America. Through scorching summer heat and autumn chill, the two men clash across Illinois towns, drawing massive crowds hungry for political theater. Douglas defends popular sovereignty, letting territories choose slavery for themselves. Lincoln argues that a house divided cannot stand, pushing his antislavery convictions despite political risk. Each debate raises the stakes higher. Lincoln knows he faces an uphill battle against the incumbent senator, but he also senses something larger at work. His words reach beyond Illinois borders, capturing national attention. Though he may lose this Senate race, Lincoln discovers his voice carries power to shape America's conscience and his own political destiny.
Genres: biography, historical-fiction, 19th-century, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers
Setting: Illinois, Ottawa
Period: 1858
MP3 CD · Blackstone Pub