Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination That Changed America Forever [Hardcover]
- Author by O'Reilly, Bill; Dugard, Martin
From Publisher
A riveting historical narrative of the heart-stopping events surrounding the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and the first work of history from mega-bestselling author Bill O'Reilly
The anchor of "The O'Reilly Factor" recounts one of the most dramatic stories in American history--how one gunshot changed the country forever. In the spring of 1865, the bloody saga of America's Civil War finally comes to an end after a series of increasingly harrowing battles. President Abraham Lincoln's generous terms for Robert E. Lee's surrender are devised to fulfill Lincoln's dream of healing a divided nation, with the former Confederates allowed to reintegrate into American society. But one man and his band of murderous accomplices, perhaps reaching into the highest ranks of the U.S. government, are not appeased.
In the midst of the patriotic celebrations in Washington D.C., John Wilkes Booth--charismatic ladies' man and impenitent racist--murders Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre. A furious manhunt ensues and Booth immediately becomes the country's most wanted fugitive. Lafayette C. Baker, a smart but shifty New York detective and former Union spy, unravels the string of clues leading to Booth, while federal forces track his accomplices. The thrilling chase ends in a fiery shootout and a series of court-ordered executions--including that of the first woman ever executed by the U.S. government, Mary Surratt. Featuring some of history's most remarkable figures, vivid detail, and page-turning action, "Killing Lincoln" is history that reads like a thriller.
Reviews
- From Publishers Weekly
- Political commentator OReilly and coauthor Dugard (Into Africa: The Epic Adventures of Stanley and Livingston) take on the most spectacular assassination conspiracy in the history of man in the form of a thriller in this rendition of Lincolns murder. Ponderous foreshadowing and innuendo produce a tedious read, even as they enable the authors to resurrect a theory that secretary of war Stanton was involved in the conspiracy to kill the president, vice-president, and secretary of state. They concede the contention has been repudiated and dismissed by the vast majority of trained historians, and yet allude to it frequently. Inaccuracies (e.g., ignoring a 2010 study of King Tuts mummy showing he died of disease, not assassination) and anachronisms (e.g., referring to Grants photograph in newspapers although until the 1880s only engravings were possible) mar the account. Well-documented and equally riveting histories are available for readers interested in Lincolns assassination; this one shows how spin can be inserted into a supposedly no spin American story. B&w photos and maps. (Oct.) Copyright 2011 Reed Business Information.
Quote Reviews
"As a history major, I wish my required reading had been as well written as this truly vivid and emotionally engaging account of Lincoln's assassination. And as a former combat infantry officer, I found myself running for cover at the Civil War battle scenes. This is the story of an American tragedy that changed the course of history. If you think you know this story, you don't until you've read "Killing Lincoln." Add historian to Bill O'Reilly's already impressive resume."--Nelson DeMille, author of "The Lion "and" The Gold Coast"
""Killing Lincoln" is a must read historical thriller. Bill O'Reilly recounts the dramatic events of the spring of 1865 with such exhilarating immediacy that you will feel like you are walking the streets of Washington, DC, on the night that John Wilkes Booth shot Abraham Lincoln. This is a hugely entertaining, heart-stopping read."--Vince Flynn, author of "American Assassin"""
"If Grisham wrote a novel about April 1865...it might well read like "Kill
