Chasing Lincoln’s Killer by James L. Swanson
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Jul.28, 2010, under Battle of the Books 2010-2011, Biography or Autobigraphy, Sam's Reviews, Thriller
Who would like this book? Anyone who is interested in the intense drama surrounding Lincoln’s assassination or who just wants a good thriller.
Why? Swanson’s short version of the story of John Wilkes Booth is a gripping thriller that conveys the emotional impact of the tragic events of April 1865. Washington D.C. has erupted with great celebrations over the news of the end of the Civil War, and Lincoln’s speech is cheered. Swanson paints this opening scene and then focuses on the reaction from Booth, an ardent supporter of the South and slavery. Booth threatened Lincoln, telling his friend and co-conspirator that this speech would be Lincoln’s last. Booth, a dashing and dynamic actor, would spare no drama as he planned his attack on Lincoln and others in the administration. Swanson’s descriptive details of the attack and Booth’s 12 days on the run makes this biography into a suspenseful thriller. It’s a fantastic book for learning about Booth, Lincoln, and the country at the end of the Civil War. It’s such a riveting story, that even readers who do not usually like history will want to give it a try. The text is enriched by ample black-and-white illustrations — photographs, newspaper articles, and broadsides. By the way, as far as I know I am not related to Sam Arnold, one of Booth’s accomplices.
This book is a 2011 Battle of the Books selection.
The details: 194 p. 2009 Review by Samrarian
