“The Honorable Peter Stirling and What People Thought of Him" by Paul Leicester Ford is a captivating work of fiction that delves into the complexities of character, reputation, and society. Set in the backdrop of New York City, the novel follows the life of Peter Stirling, a man of ambition and moral integrity, as he navigates the intricate webs of political intrigue and legal drama. Ford masterfully weaves a tale of corruption, scandal, and the pursuit of justice, painting a vivid portrait of a society rife with ambition and moral dilemmas. As Stirling grapples with challenges to his reputation and confronts the darker aspects of human nature, he finds solace in the bonds of friendship and family. Through Stirling's journey, the novel explores themes of morality and the consequences of one's actions, offering readers a thought-provoking reflection on the nature of honor and integrity in a world driven by ambition and power. It's a compelling narrative that immerses readers in the heart of New York City's social and political landscape, leaving them pondering the true measure of character and reputation.
Paul Leicester Ford, an American novelist and biographer, was born in Brooklyn as the son of Gordon Lester Ford and Emily Fowler Ford. Ford was Noah Webster's great-grandson and the brother of historian Worthington C. Ford. He wrote about the lives of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and others, edited Thomas Jefferson's works, and authored several novels that were quite successful, including The Honorable Peter Stirling, Story of an Untold Love, Janice Meredith, Wanted a Matchmaker, and Wanted a Chaperon. Ford's edition of The Writings of Thomas Jefferson is still recognized as a monument of American historical research, having established the bar for documentary editing for half a century until the publication of the first volume of The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, edited by Julian P. Boyd. Ford's edition is still noteworthy for its accurate transcription from original manuscripts and meticulous annotation of the papers chosen for publishing. The Ford edition came in two versions: a 10-volume edition published between 1892 and 1896, and a 14-volume limited-numbered edition printed in 1904, known as the "Federal" edition.
