Among Charleston's most acclaimed authors Gordon Rhea has taken, at least part of his book tour virtual.    Rhea's 4 volumes on The Battle of Wilderness have won praise for his masterly combining of detailed research with page turning drama.    However, Rhea is also an internationally recognized environmental lawyer and is unable to devote weeks on the road for author signings.     Next Thursday,  as one of the first authors to test a new program through the Abraham Lincoln Book Store in Chicago, Rhea's discussion of his new book "In the Footsteps of Grant and Lee"  will be available via the web, allowing history buffs the opportunity to order a signed edition as part of the experience.

Other historians who have participated in the Virtual Book Signing include Doris Kearms Goodwin, James Swanson and Thomas Wheeler.

Although Rhea is scheduled for several Low Country events, readers eager to get an early copy can purchase a signed edition at VirtualBookSigning.net on Thursday September 2th at 6PM Central/7PM Eastern Time.