Killing Lincoln

Goodreads Synopsis:    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.

My Thoughts:

-    This is not your typical history book.  It is very captivating.  I was hooked from the beginning, and it is a great time of year to read something like this!  

-    All history books should be written like this.  I think it would be more effective, and it is definitely more interesting and entertaining.

-    You need to be familiar with certain things in history to understand some stuff.  It throws a lot of names, events, and places around without a lot of explanation.  I didn't have too much trouble following what was happening though.

-    I love how descriptive the whole day of April 14 was.  It was so gripping and interesting to know what happened in such detail on that day.  I really enjoyed reading what Boothe did that day.  

-    Wives rule!!  I laughed so hard when the book described how Lincoln and Grant had so much power and prestige.  They could command armies, but when it came to their wives, they were helpless.  Hilarious!

-    The book happens over a short period of time.  It starts 14 days before Lincoln's Assassination, but it is packed full of so much stuff.  It was so awesome to read about all the details I didn't know about the whole event.

-    Boothe's ego is HUGE!!  I can't believe he thought he was going to be a hero for killing Lincoln, and I can't believe he wanted to be so theatrical about it!  

-    I didn't know Boothe had so many people working with him.  There was a lot that went into his plan.  I can't believe his conspiracy was funded!

-    I really enjoyed the pictures and maps that were provided.  It was really cool to put faces to names, and see a diagram of things.  

-    I loved the whole the book.  Everything was so well done.  I am more aware of what happened on one of the most memorable days in history!  Anyone can read this and understand it.  It is so gripping, and I loved reading about our history this way.