Chasing Lincoln's Killer
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4.3 • 265 Ratings
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author James Swanson delivers a riveting account of the chase for Abraham Lincoln's assassin.Based on rare archival material, obscure trial manuscripts, and interviews with relatives of the conspirators and the manhunters, CHASING LINCOLN'S KILLER is a fast-paced thriller about the pursuit and capture of John Wilkes Booth: a wild twelve-day chase through the streets of Washington, D.C., across the swamps of Maryland, and into the forests of Virginia.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The YA version of Swanson's bestselling Manhunt, this account of Lincoln's assassination and the 12-day search for his killer reads like a historical thriller, no matter that the narrative jumps among its locations and characters. As President Lincoln delivers victory speeches in April 1865, an enraged John Wilkes Booth vows death: "Now, by God, I'll put him through." Every bit of dialogue is said to come from original sources, adding a chill to the already disturbing conspiracy that Swanson unfolds in detail as Booth persuades friends and sympathizers to join his plot and later, to give him shelter. The author gives even the well-known murder scene at Ford's Theatre enough dramatic flourish to make the subject seem fresh. While Lincoln lays dying, Booth's accomplices clumsily attempt to kill Secretary of State William H. Seward, and Booth talks his way past a guard meant to bar him from crossing a bridge into Maryland. In focusing on Booth, the author reveals the depth of divisions in the nation just after the war, the disorder within the government and the challenges ahead. Abundant period photographs and documents enhance the book's immediacy. Ages 12 up.
Customer Reviews
Great book!
We read this in class and it was great! Good description, and i could fit right into the assassins shoes. But 2 things, 1) this is for classroom use. This version has been simplified for school use. Swanson has other books on the topic and I recommend them. I just don't like that it randomly switches perspectives. I sometimes got lost due to this. "Wait. Why is booth in Stewards house?" But thats my only complaint.
Informative, and engaging
The book tells the intense story of John Wilkes Booth’s escape and does an amazing job of depicting the struggle of catching Booth, the surprise and sadness of Abraham Lincoln’s death, and the severity of the situation. It was a really fun book to read if your into history. Even if your not, it was very interesting to learn about the misconceptions we had about the situation, such as Booth did the job alone, or how he had been caught very easily. Great book, and would highly consider giving it a a shot
Good
I like it a lot