MANHUNT: The 12 Day Chase For Lincoln’s Killer written by James L. Swanson (Currently in hardback; paperback out Feb. 1, 2007)

February 26th, 2007

Wow! This is a great read. Focusing on the 12 day manhunt for Abraham Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth, this non-fiction account moves like a propulsive text version of “24”—only 142 years earlier. Whether you’re a Lincoln fan (as I am) or a Civil War buff, or just someone who wants to know more about this transforming event in American history, you can’t miss with this book. Using all original sources, this book brings out John Wilkes Booth’s hatred of Lincoln and everything he stood for (“This man’s appearance, his pedigree, his coarse jokes and anecdotes, his vulgar smiles are a disgrace to the seat he holds…he is… the tool of the North, to crush out slavery…a false president yearning for a kingly succession…” John Wilkes Booth to his sister in 1864.)

The manhunt itself feels like it was transcribed from a live CNN feed of the event—it’s full of wrong turns, luck, good and bad guys, and reads like a mystery novel you can’t put down.. Even though you know how it all ends. You can’t underestimate the impact of Abraham Lincoln on the future of this country, and you can’t underestimate the impact of his as assassination on future events up to the modern day. Covering only 12 days of the search for John Wilkes Booth, this wonderful non-fiction book sheds light on the Civil War, Lincoln the man and President, and Booth the actor and fanatic. Read it and weep.

-Peter

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