Reviewer: Michael Smith
Title: Lincoln's Sword
Author: Debra Doyle & James D Macdonald
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-081927-9
Release Date: July 2010
Genre/Sub-genre: Alternate History
Year/Setting: 1791 through 1916
Overall Rating: 3.75
Sexual Content Rating: Subtle
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: Mild
Violent Content Rating: Moderate
Doyle and Macdonald's Website: www.sff.net/people/doylemcacdonald
The book starts with Thomas Coleman Younger reflecting upon his life. The story line was a bit confusing at first since each succeeding chapter jumps around between various time periods and locations. After awhile the reader gets used to the pattern and understands the general theme of special individuals with metaphysical gifts up to and including the ability to be physically in two places at once across different time periods.
As the story begins, General Butler is introduced. He is a veteran of the Revolutionary War, whose dying words and sword are the central theme, though it takes a short time to realize this. Lincoln’s Sword deals with the time periods before, during and after the Civil War with their after effects. The book mentions various alternative histories outcomes and some are explored, such as; Lincoln is killed before taking office, killed as President, retires back to Illinois after his presidency, the South loses the War, the South wins the War.
There are four main characters; a mysterious gentleman, Mr. Thomas who appears at times to help or direct others to search for General Butler’s sword to achieve the destiny of the nation. Two individuals are identified as seers or having a particular gift, Mercy Levering and Mary Todd (Lincoln). But the central character, tying the story together is Thomas Coleman Younger. We view the sword at different times along history’s timeline and see the search progress or lack of it in restoring the proper history timeline via the delivery of the sword to the President.
I am a fan of alternative history and I found Lincoln’s Sword to be an interesting and enjoyable book. It was a fast read for me. You will be intrigued to learn the true identity of Mr. Thomas and how the mysterious gentleman learned his skills.
Michael
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