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376 reviews for:
Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination That Changed America Forever
Bill O'Reilly, Martin Dugard
3.85 AVERAGE
376 reviews for:
Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination That Changed America Forever
Bill O'Reilly, Martin Dugard
3.85 AVERAGE
I did not realize the first third of the book would be a detailed account of the last days for the Civil War—from Petersburg to Appomattox. I enjoyed learning the details of those final days, I just didn’t expect it.
Once you get to section two, this story of Lincoln’s death is quite different from Manhunt. Killing Lincoln is better at quickly telling the story while bringing in interesting side notes and coincidences—Robert Lincoln’s rescue by Edwin Booth; Booth’s renting the very room that Lincoln died in just two weeks earlier. There were a lot of “you are kidding me—I didn’t know that moments.”
I did wonder, often, what source did the author use for that passage? (I was listening to it.) How did he know those words were said or that person did that thing? Were the authors taking license for the narrrative or are there contemporary sources that back these actions up? I really want to know. I picked up the print version just to check out the sources. Though there is a nice list of sources in the appendix, I would have loved footnotes throughout the text. Go figure.
I will certainly pick up Killing Kennedy and Killing Jesus now.
Once you get to section two, this story of Lincoln’s death is quite different from Manhunt. Killing Lincoln is better at quickly telling the story while bringing in interesting side notes and coincidences—Robert Lincoln’s rescue by Edwin Booth; Booth’s renting the very room that Lincoln died in just two weeks earlier. There were a lot of “you are kidding me—I didn’t know that moments.”
I did wonder, often, what source did the author use for that passage? (I was listening to it.) How did he know those words were said or that person did that thing? Were the authors taking license for the narrrative or are there contemporary sources that back these actions up? I really want to know. I picked up the print version just to check out the sources. Though there is a nice list of sources in the appendix, I would have loved footnotes throughout the text. Go figure.
I will certainly pick up Killing Kennedy and Killing Jesus now.
This is the first “Killing” book I have read, and it completely sucked me in! I learned so much, not only about Lincoln but about how the Civil War ended. Most of it was astonishing, and I can’t believe that I knew so little of what happened during that time. It reads like a thriller, but everything is cited and sourced well.
I listened to the audio book and really enjoyed the book. It reviews the history for the month surrounding Lincoln's assassination.
I actually listened to this on Audible. It was SUPER fascinating, and now I'm itching to get back to Washington D.C. to re-visit Ford's Theater, etc.
I felt like I was listening to a mystery novel ... not a history textbook. I'm interested in reading some of the other Bill O'Reilly books like "Killing Kennedy," etc.
I felt like I was listening to a mystery novel ... not a history textbook. I'm interested in reading some of the other Bill O'Reilly books like "Killing Kennedy," etc.
The narrative of the events leading up to the assassination and through to the capture of the assassins was fast paced and quite interesting. However, I found the overall work too speculative and sensational. Too often the authors tell me what someone was thinking or how they acted in their solitary moments without offering any proof as to how the authors know these things--the best I get is a general list of books that they say were the major influencers in their research; I would have preferred footnotes as I really don't have the time or inclination to read through all those books to see what was fact and what was what the authors believe may have happened. This may be a little too nit picky but I also didn't care very much the way that the authors were constantly switching back and forth between how they chose to identify major characters--especially didn't care for it in the case of General Robert E. Lee who was referred to by that name, by Lee, and by Marse Lee (a Southern term that some may have used in referring to him at the time--I particularly didn't care for this last repeated use as it felt intentionally disrespectful). The authors also open and close with the idea that this assassination changed America significantly and we, therefore, should particularly familiarize ourselves with this part of history. However, they do not address any of these actual changes or why they have made a difference in my world today--which wouldn't normally be a flaw but since they are the ones brining it up in the first place I wish they would have addressed it.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Even though you know the ending before you even read the book, I found it to be a page turner. It's actually a very quick read. Another review that I wish you could give 1/2 stars. I'd go with 4 1/2
I had started this book some time ago but then forgotten about it over the busy holidays. From the moment I picked it back up the second time, I was gripped. This was a truly fascinating book, which reads at times more like thriller fiction than non-fiction. There were many details that I had never before heard, and I feel that the book does a good job of making the reader familiar with the general details surrounding the plot against Lincoln and his subsequent killing. I would think that nearly anyone who has the slightest interest in American History would find this book intriguing. Even if they do not agree with all of the material presented, they should find it intersting in the least.
My only problem with this book is the lack of footnotes which makes it difficult to tell which details are based in established historical fact and which are purely conjecture by the author. I especially felt this way when the book focused on the thoughts and private moments of the various individuals. For example, how does he know what Booth was thinking and feeling in the moments leading up to the assassination? Maybe he does have a reliable source for such information, but it is not annotated so the reader is left wondering. I found myself often thinking, "How does he know that?", and would have appreciated a bit more information showing where the information was found. However, I can see that footnotes would possibly take away from the thriller novel style of the book.
In any case, I loved reading this book, as much as one can love reading about one of the most tragic stories in our country's history.
My only problem with this book is the lack of footnotes which makes it difficult to tell which details are based in established historical fact and which are purely conjecture by the author. I especially felt this way when the book focused on the thoughts and private moments of the various individuals. For example, how does he know what Booth was thinking and feeling in the moments leading up to the assassination? Maybe he does have a reliable source for such information, but it is not annotated so the reader is left wondering. I found myself often thinking, "How does he know that?", and would have appreciated a bit more information showing where the information was found. However, I can see that footnotes would possibly take away from the thriller novel style of the book.
In any case, I loved reading this book, as much as one can love reading about one of the most tragic stories in our country's history.
A fascinating read about the assassination of Lincoln. O'Reilly really has a way of making history come alive.
Killing Lincoln tells the reader about the events surrounding the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. It starts out describing the end of the American Civil War, continues with the planning and implementation of the conspiracy to kill Lincoln, and concludes with the apprehension and punishment of the conspirators. It is written in a manner that tells a story, which was helpful for someone that does not read a lot of non-fiction. There is a lot of information available about the events and the people involved so O'Reilly and Dugard were able to make the people in the story come to life. If you already know a lot about this historical event, there was probably not much new. But for someone like me, who didn't know much more than the basic who, what, where and why, it was interesting. It was a quick and easy read for me and I learned a lot about a very important event in United States history.