Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer (P.S.)

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Binding: Paperback Dewey Decimal Number: 364.1524097309034 EAN: 9780060518509 ISBN: 0060518502 Label: Harper Perennial Manufacturer: Harper Perennial Number Of Items: 1 Number Of Pages: 496 Publication Date: 2007-02-01 Publisher: Harper Perennial Release Date: 2007-02-06 Studio: Harper Perennial
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Editorial Reviews: The murder of Abraham Lincoln set off the greatest manhunt in American history. From April 14 to April 26, 1865, the assassin, John Wilkes Booth, led Union cavalry and detectives on a wild twelve-day chase through the streets of Washington, D.C., across the swamps of Maryland, and into the forests of Virginia, while the nation, still reeling from the just-ended Civil War, watched in horror and sadness. James L. Swanson's Manhunt is a fascinating tale of murder, intrigue, and betrayal. A gripping hour-by-hour account told through the eyes of the hunted and the hunters, this is history as you've never read it before.
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: this was a quick read, and a very good book Comment: A friend loaned me this book shortly after I had finished reading Doris Kearn Goodwin's book "Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln", thinking it would provide a little bit of closure (one of these books quotes someone as having said that Booth "robbed" us of the rest of the story of Lincoln's life, and Kearns book ends rather abruptly following the assasination). Like many of the other reviewers, I had only a cursory knowledge of Lincoln's presidency, and his assasination. These two books together really made that period of history come alive to me. I didn't mind that Swanson took quite a bit of literary license in his narrative. The only thing that I found a little bit creepy about this book is that, at times, it seemed to elevate the stature of Booth. A little bit repetive, with a fair amount of conjecture, but overall this was really a very good (and fast) read. Customer Rating: Summary: An Historic Thriller Comment: James Swanson's "Manhunt" reads like a thriller rather than history. From the very beginning-- as it describes Lincoln's second inauguration-- until the very end, where the author describes one of the relics of Booth's 12-day effort to avoid capture (his compass)where it remains in the museum in the reconstructed Ford's Theater, Swanson's engrossing novel commands the reader's attention and keeps him or her hungry for more. Despite the monstrosity of Booth's crime, one comes away from this book with a three-dimensional picture of this complex and in many ways tragic figure, who was delusional enough to believe to the bitter end that his assassination of our greatest President would ultimately be seen as an act of heroism in behalf of the oppressed people of the Confederacy and against the tyrannical northern oppressors represented by Lincoln. As an actor, Booth certainly had a flair for the dramatic, so that even during the commission of his heinous crime he cried out for all to hear, "Sic Semper Tyrannis" (thus always to tyrants) and "The South is avenged." Swanson also fleshes out the other conspirators, including Lewis Powell, who undertook the effort to assassinate William Seward, Lincoln's Secretary of State and his closest confidante; the hapless George Atzerodt (who failed to undertake his assignment to assassinate Vice-President Johnson); and the young David Herold, who remained with Booth from the assassination until Booth's death 12 days later. Along the way we meet a number of interesting characters, most notably Thomas Jones, a Confederate secret agent and river boatman who assisted Booth and Herold in their efforts to elude capture and provided them with the boat to get across the Potomac River to Virginia. This is a book that also teaches us that mob justice is most often not justice at all. Some of those who were hung in connection with the conspiracy were most likely treated unjustly by a nation thirsty for vengeance. In any event, this is a book well worth reading, and which is guaranteed to keep you up late at night. Customer Rating: Summary: Relive the Chase for Lincoln's Assassin Comment: James Swanson creates a moment by moment account of the chase for President Lincoln's assassin and his accomplices that is a tour de force. It is difficult to imagine a more compelling, thorough or historically accurate rendition of the period before and the 12 days after Booth's infamous crime. Swanson covers all the ground and answers all the questions, including the little details that history has largely forgotten, such as where Booth was initially interred following his execution and where he is buried today. This book is utterly fascinating and compelling. Through Swanson's captivating style, you can travel back in time and relive this historical event. Customer Rating: Summary: What They Don't Teach in History Class Comment: I just read this book while cruising the Mexican Riviera. This is a book that I couldn't (didn't want to) put down. I have always had a love of history especially American history but sadly so much is missing in the first 12 years of school. I never fully realized the extensiveness of the plot to kidnap or to assassinate President Lincoln until reading this book. Extremely well written by a author who has done his homework. This is highly recommended as there are many books as well as programs on television who have many inaccuracies. Read this if you want to know the truth about the roll that Dr. Mudd played. Where was Mr. Booth for that missing week? Customer Rating: Summary: Truthful and fascinating tale Comment: Mr. Swanson did an excellent job in telling the story of the 12-day chase of John Wilkes Booth. His account read like an action thriller, while being substantiated with true facts. I like how Mr. Swanson intelligently combined numerous sources and interestly told the story with first hand accounts. I literally could not put this book down. It's the book I've been waiting for. 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