Killing Lincoln: The Assassination That Changed America Forever

Summary (from the publisher): 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.

Review: I won this book as a giveaway on Goodreads. This fast-paced novel recounts the final days of the Civil War and the last days of President Lincoln's life. Prior to this novel, I didn't know a lot of detail about John Wilkes Booth or the motives behind the shooting or the multiple other individuals involved with the plot. I enjoyed the thriller type feel to this novel, that sort of reminded me of the historical thriller The Devil in the White City. 

I wasn't blown away by this novel. I think it oversimplified a complex story and tried to cover too much information in around 300 pages. For example, multiple chapters are devoted to an examination of Lee's final days as General of the Confederate army. This time could have been spent giving a more detailed account of the assassination plot, that in some cases was skimmed over. I think the novel should have chosen one topic - the assassination of Lincoln -  and stuck to it, rather than trying to tackle the conclusion of the Civil War as well. Additionally, I thought there were too many introspective thoughts and feelings attributed to individuals, considering that this is non-fiction and the authors have no way to confirm such emotions or thoughts as fact.

Decent examination of the circumstances surrounding Lincoln's death, however, I do think a more comprehensive and more focused approach would have given the topic the justice it deserved.

Stars: 3