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374 reviews for:
Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination That Changed America Forever
Bill O'Reilly, Martin Dugard
3.85 AVERAGE
374 reviews for:
Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination That Changed America Forever
Bill O'Reilly, Martin Dugard
3.85 AVERAGE
This was among my mother's books. I remembered her raving about it and so decided to read it. I first read about this with the classic The Day Lincoln Was Shot (Jim Bishop) when I was in elementary school. The book is well done, interesting, though at times heavy handed in its structure, "the man who has 30 days to live is shaving..."
I know. I'm just as surprised as you are, but I really loved is. It was written in a really compelling way. It had such drive that it was difficult to put down. If you are looking for a scholarly, detailed account of the Lincoln assassination, this is not the right book for you. But, if you are looking to see this familiar story told in a fast-paced and exciting way then give it a shot. It's not without its faults. I'm sure it simplifies things for the sake of good story-telling. I also thought the implications about Stanton were a little misplaced. The authors mentioned it several times, but never really made a case for it. Bottom-line this is a great for a quick, engaging take on the Lincoln assassination, but look elsewhere for a strict,in-depth history.
I got a little weary during the first half of the book that detailed the last battles of the civil war. The personal lives of Abraham Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth, and General Grant were more interesting to me than the battlefield scenes. There is a terribly unflattering statue of General Grant's wife, Julia, at their home in Galena, Illinois. She was quite unattractive, according to our tour guide. I couldn't help thinking about that when she appeared in the book!
I'm going to resist spoiling anything, but the amount of coincidences in the book are surprising.
I listened to the audio version of this book, read by Bill O'Reilly. It was a great way to spend a few hours on a road trip between Waterloo, Iowa and Oak Creek, Wisconsin. I wouldn't mind trying Killing Kennedy on my next trip.
I'm going to resist spoiling anything, but the amount of coincidences in the book are surprising.
I listened to the audio version of this book, read by Bill O'Reilly. It was a great way to spend a few hours on a road trip between Waterloo, Iowa and Oak Creek, Wisconsin. I wouldn't mind trying Killing Kennedy on my next trip.
Listened as an audiobook. Just finished and will likely listen again just for the historical review of this two week period in April.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
informative
slow-paced
(Lincoln dies. How's that for a spoiler?) I liked this book more than I originally anticipated. The first few chapters about the war bore me, but when the actual assassination plot was really when started to enjoy it. A warning to the weak-stomached: At time's, Killing Lincoln is pretty gruesome and I had to close it (i.e. Lincoln's death/atopsy, when Steward was attacked in bed, etc.) My trouble was this: In all the books, the rebel is the good guy. The one you're supposed to cheer and feel for. So with Booth, I always caught myself going, "YAH SHOOT HIM!" and then I'd be like, wait, no, Booth is bad.
Overall, engaging and worth it. 4 Stars.
Overall, engaging and worth it. 4 Stars.
If you like history, you would probably like this. I however, have not been able to keep interested in these types of books.
We listened to this book while traveling and enjoyed it. Since our family was related to the Ford who owned the theater, I thought the descriptions of the theater quite interesting.
Really well written and very interesting. I learned a lot and enjoyed that this reads like a thriller, not a dry historic text. I'm looking forward to reading more of O'Reilly's "Killing..." books.