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A review by shakespearesgirl
Manhunt: The Twelve-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson
2.0
While the information presented is sound, and is presented to the reader in an engaging manner, I think where this book falls terribly short is in it's author's slow turn from vilification to glorification of John Wilkes Booth.
At the start of the book there seemed little sympathy for the assassin, or perhaps it was counterbalanced by the descriptions of Lincoln's death and Mary Lincoln's collapse, and the Seward assassination attempt, and the drive of Edwin Stanton. But regardless, as the book proceeds the author turns more and more into the worst kind of Booth sympathizer. He doesn't attempt to justify Booth, but instead seems to subtly imply that maybe we have all misunderstood this assassin, and should take a more tender, sympathetic look at his life.
For me, this is what causes any doubt about the veracity of the research done, and the manner in which it is presented. I have to immediately distrust anyone who can, in this day and age, look at a person whose crimes were motivated out of a deep-seated racism and hatred for black people, and tell me maybe I should rethink my position of distaste and scorn for the criminal. No, sir. This is not acceptable. Swanson needs to understand that the Civil War was 100% about slavery. The Lincoln assassination was a direct result of slavery's coming abolition and the widespread emancipation of black Americans. Booth's motives are clear, and this is not a person I am comfortable with anyone having empathy for.
At the start of the book there seemed little sympathy for the assassin, or perhaps it was counterbalanced by the descriptions of Lincoln's death and Mary Lincoln's collapse, and the Seward assassination attempt, and the drive of Edwin Stanton. But regardless, as the book proceeds the author turns more and more into the worst kind of Booth sympathizer. He doesn't attempt to justify Booth, but instead seems to subtly imply that maybe we have all misunderstood this assassin, and should take a more tender, sympathetic look at his life.
For me, this is what causes any doubt about the veracity of the research done, and the manner in which it is presented. I have to immediately distrust anyone who can, in this day and age, look at a person whose crimes were motivated out of a deep-seated racism and hatred for black people, and tell me maybe I should rethink my position of distaste and scorn for the criminal. No, sir. This is not acceptable. Swanson needs to understand that the Civil War was 100% about slavery. The Lincoln assassination was a direct result of slavery's coming abolition and the widespread emancipation of black Americans. Booth's motives are clear, and this is not a person I am comfortable with anyone having empathy for.