David Selby’s novel Lincoln’s Better Angel is a well-articulated and engaging work that addresses the issue of racism. Can Selby—perhaps better known for his portrayal of Quentin Collins in Dark Shadows (TV) during the ‘60s, or Richard Channing of Falcon Crest (TV)—pull off such a feat? If we look to Selby’s past, we note he is exceedingly qualified to write such a book—holding both a B.S. and an M.A. from West Virginia University as well as a Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University; and most important, he has portrayed Abraham Lincoln countless times throughout his career.

Selby’s book opens on the Fourth of July as African-American park service ranger Charles Huggins, still numb from the death of his beloved son who was serving in the Iraqi War, arrives at the Lincoln Monument—his work—where he has been the “watch” for 15 of his 25 years with the park service. A proud black man, Charles used to take his job at the Lincoln Monument seriously, taking great care of the monument dedicated to the man he’d admired his entire life. But now, his life was changed—and with that change came a distrust of everything he’d ever believed in. It changed dramatically when his son, his only child, was killed in Iraq. Nothing seemed to matter. Not his job, his marriage—in which his wife distanced herself from him during his grief, hoping that the space and time she selflessly gave would allow him to deal with their son’s death,—not even his own life mattered anymore. Everything that he believed in his entire life now felt like a parody. What kind of God would spare him his life during the Vietnam War, only to take his son’s during the Iraqi War? Charles Huggins’ entire world fragmented.

The Fourth of July festivities pick up throughout the day and Charles finds himself surrounded by a somber musician—whose music only deepens his woes—and too many living historians portraying Abraham Lincolns. But one Lincoln, who engages Charles in gentle conversation filled with witticisms and wisdoms, seems to be the real deal. Charles, deciding that Lincoln had a lot of explaining to do, doesn’t sensor his words or soften his emotion as he relentlessly seeks the truth from Lincoln.

An angry Charles and a solemn Lincoln converse throughout the night. They share their stories, their sorrows, their grief. No topic is off limits as the two banter incessantly between moments of deep reflective silence. As the two men struggle to find enlightenment, decades of feelings of hatred, distrust and misunderstanding are put into words—sometimes harsh words, offensive words. But the fact that Selby has allowed Charles to be filled with rage and anger, and that Lincoln’s strength is exemplified by his gentleness, only lends depth to each character and brings us, the reader, to fully grasp the book’s message.

Through their chance meeting, two worlds are briefly merged into one and there is enlightenment, allowing each man to find the peace he needs in order to move on.

Selby does an excellent job at capturing Lincoln’s persona. The conversations between the two are lively, candid, emotional, and intimate. You’ll come away with a better feeling for knowing—to quote a line from the book—“where the shoe pinches”…