The Unfinished Work: A Novel of Abraham Lincoln
by Jeff Shaara

In November, 1860, the Republican nominee for president is a man relatively unknown outside of his home state of Illinois. Abraham Lincoln, who is no career politician, is put onto the ballot as a compromise candidate, bridging the gap between radical Republicans, who insist slavery must be eliminated immediately, to the moderates, who believe that abolition should be gradual. But the Democrats, who have an excellent chance of defeating the Republican candidate, squander any advantage by putting forth three different candidates against Lincoln, a move that certainly costs them the election. Abraham Lincoln becomes the 16th President of the United States.

Jeff Shaara’s novel digs deeply into the mind of the new president, who takes office just as the nation is dissolving into Civil War. With points of view of Mary Todd Lincoln, a mercurial and often difficult woman who enters the Executive Mansion (today, the White House), with a sense of entitlement that soon proves financially costly for the new President. Worse, the Lincolns confront another deeply painful tragedy, the loss of a young son. Other characters are here to tell their part in the story, two of the most important voices of Lincoln’s presidency, his secretary of state, William Henry Seward, and the man who is possibly Lincoln’s biggest headache, General George McClellan.

The story rolls through much of Lincoln’s first term, the president who must rise to the occasion in dealing with the most significant and painful issues of the day, from the increasing bloodbath of the Civil War, the issue of slavery, and how Lincoln deals with becoming the most important and visible man in the nation. The story ends in November, 1863. It is not a biography of his whole life.

Tragedy, humor and historical accuracy have been the hallmarks of Jeff Shaara’s many novels dealing with significant historical events. None has been more important than how Lincoln struggles to hold the nation together, against loud and brutal forces pulling it apart.

Hardback, 592 pages, 6.5" x 9.5", $35.00.

Release date November 10, 2026. Pre-ordering now. Book will be autographed at no extra charge and shipped after November 17 when Jeff Shaara is with us for a book signing.