Author Stephen L. Carter to hold discussion and signing for "The Impeachment of Abraham Lincoln"

What if Abraham Lincoln had survived the assassination attempt by John Wilkes Booth, and then two years later faced an impeachment trial for overstepping his constitutional authority during the Civil War? The bestselling author of a new novel that explores this possibility, Stephen L. Carter, will hold a book discussion and signing Thursday, August 2 at 6:30 p.m. in Union Theater at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield. The event is free, but reservations must be made by calling (217) 558-8934.

A free “Teacher Talks” session with Carter for educators will be held in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Classroom at 5:30 p.m. Reservations for “Teacher Talks” may be made by calling (217) 558-8953. 

Carter is the author of The Impeachment of Abraham Lincoln, to be released July 10,

 a vividly imagined work of historical fiction that captures the emotional tenor of post–Civil War America, a brilliantly realized courtroom drama that explores the always contentious question of the nature of presidential authority, and a galvanizing story of political suspense.

The book centers on 21-year-old Abigail Canner, a young black woman with a degree from Oberlin, a letter of employment from the law firm that has undertaken Lincoln’s defense, and the iron-strong conviction, learned from her late mother, that “whatever limitations society might place on ordinary negroes, they would never apply to her.” And so Abigail embarks on a life that defies the norms of every stratum of Washington society, working side by side with a white clerk and meeting the great and powerful of the nation, including the president himself.  But when Lincoln’s lead counsel is found brutally murdered on the eve of the trial, Abigail is plunged into a treacherous web of intrigue and conspiracy reaching the highest levels of the divided government.

“I expect a lively question and answer session following Stephen Carter’s presentation,” said Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Director Eileen Mackevich.  “For instance, if Lincoln would have lived, would he have made a positive difference in race relations and the Reconstruction or are these issues even larger than Lincoln?  Carter has opened the door to many ‘what ifs’ by his carefully crafted works of historical fiction.”                 

Stephen L. Carter is the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law at Yale University, where he has taught since 1982. He is the best-selling author of The Emperor of Ocean Park and New England White, as well as seven books of nonfiction. The New York Times has called him one of the nation's leading public intellectuals. Born in Washington, D.C., Carter studied law at Yale University and went on to serve as a law clerk, first on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, and later for Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.

Carter’s critically acclaimed nonfiction books on subjects including affirmative action, the judicial confirmation process, and the place of religion in our legal and political cultures have earned Carter fans among luminaries as diverse as Anna Quindlen and former President Bill Clinton.  An avid chess player, Carter is a life member of the United States Chess Federation. He and his family live near New Haven, Connecticut.

For more information about events and exhibits at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, visit www.presidentlincoln.org.

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Chris Bonjean

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