Foeman Worthy of his Steel

What path did Abraham Lincoln take to the White House? He was an unlikely candidate—poor, unattractive and backed a Republican Party still in its infancy. After a disastrous single term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Lincoln returned to Illinois to become a country lawyer. In 1858 he came out of political retirement to challenge Stephen A. Douglas for the U.S. Senate seat from Illinois. Their race changed America forever. In Foeman, author Georgiann Baldino puts readers inside the crowds during this midterm election and allows them to hear Lincoln clash with the incumbent. In their first debate Lincoln and Douglas limited themselves to two topics: insulting each other and what to do about slavery.
The novel excerpt's central figure is Robert Hitt, a reporter who follows Lincoln and records his speeches for the Chicago Press and Tribune. Through Hitt readers meet Mother Francis, founding member of the Sisters of Mercy, who has strong opinions against slavery.