Award-winning Stephen Puleo is the author of The Great Abolitionist, Voyage of Mercy, American Treasures, The Caning, A City So Grand, The Boston Italians, Due to Enemy Action, and Dark Tide.

Announcing the Topic of My Upcoming Book (Number 9)

At last, I’m able to announce the topic of my upcoming book (number 9!): The Penicillin Miracle: A Deadly Fire, World War II, and the Dawn of the Antibiotics Age, to be published by St. Martin’s Press on August 31, 2027!

I’m so excited about this book and want to give you a flavor of the story now! The graphic at left is an authentic home-front image used during the Second World War, but should not be confused with the book’s cover image, which will be coming soon.

Thanks for Your Support of The Great Abolitionist

My eighth book, The Great Abolitionist, is the first full biography in more than 50 years on U.S. Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts, an antislavery and civil rights hero.  I’m honored by the reader response to this book, which was published in 2024.

The book received outstanding “starred reviews” from Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly – two of the industry’s most influential reviewers! Kirkus said in part, “[The Great Abolitionist is] a wonderfully written book about a true American freedom fighter.” Read the full Kirkus review here. Publishers Weekly said in part: “Readers won’t be able to get enough of Puleo’s indomitable Sumner.” Read the full PW review here. I’m grateful for these wonderful reviews. I hope you enjoy The Great Abolitionist just as much!

The Great Abolitionist Cover

All the latest news about The Great Abolitionist

To keep up with the most recent news on this book, including a stunning review, and future endeavors, please check out my Inside Info page. In addition to striking images, upcoming events, and new projects, you can find information here shared first with readers on my mailing list.

One recently shared item is a column I wrote about the Sumner-Lincoln relationship. Click the link below to find The History Reader, an outstanding history website hosted by Macmillan Publishing, the parent company of St. Martin’s Press, which published The Great Abolitionist. I hope you’ll enjoy “Charles Sumner Witnesses the Abraham Lincoln Magic.” There are many examples of how Sumner and Lincoln learned from each other. One of those occurred in April 1865 at General Ulysses S. Grant’s headquarters at City Point, Virginia, when Sumner witnesses Lincoln’s strong connection with front-line soldiers.

Events

    October 2026

  • Oct

    15

    The Boston Italians

    Hanson (MA) Public Library
    132 Maquan St.
    Hanson, MA
    6:00 p.m.

    For more information, please contact the library at info@hansonlibrary.org or 781-293-2151.
  • Oct

    21

    Christopher Columbus: The Man, The Myth, The Legend

    Wilmington (MA) Sons & Daughters of Italy
    Wilmington Senior Center
    130 Main St. (Route 38)
    Wilmington, MA
    7:00 p.m

    For more information, email Mary Renda. Advance registration strongly recommended.
  • Oct

    24

    American Treasures 250th Anniversary

    Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
    MA Sate Organization
    (This is a private event.)
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Lincoln Forum Event

It Was an Honor to Speak in Gettysburg at The Lincoln Forum

I was honored to speak at The Lincoln Forum’s 30th Annual Symposium held in Gettysburg. Based on my book, The Great Abolitionist, I spoke on a panel entitled “The Voice of the People: Lincoln and Congress.” More than 300 people attended our session, and I enjoyed it thoroughly!

Breaking News

Book 9 Topic!

Watch this space for information about my upcoming ninth book!

The Speakeasy

We invite you to join us in The Speakeasy. Just tell the doorman, “Steve sent me.”