Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever
Written by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard
Narrated by Bill O'Reilly
4/5
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About this audiobook
A riveting historical narrative of the heart-stopping events surrounding the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and the first work of history from mega-bestselling author Bill O'Reilly
The iconic 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.
Bill O'Reilly
For more than thirteen years, three-time Emmy Award winner Bill O’REillyhas presided over The O’Reilly Factor on the FOX News Channel, the highest-ratednews program on cable. Prior to that, he served as a national correspondent for ABCNews and as an anchor of the nationally syndicated news magazine program InsideEdition. He is the author of numerous megabestsellers, including A Bold Fresh Pieceof Humanity, a deeply personal memoir that has sold more than one million copies.
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Reviews for Killing Lincoln
763 ratings96 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I loved this book! It reads like a murder mystery. Even with some historical errors, I highly recommend it.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The degree of detail is very enlightening and eye opening
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5very informative and interesting. you will learn a lot of amazing things about civil war and history of Lincoln.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great read … Bill did his home work on this book …
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Bill O’Reilly sets the stage for the assassination of Lincoln by providing an overview of the last few weeks of the Civil War. The rage John Wilkes Booth feels that the institution of slavery is being destroyed. The anti-Lincoln protests of the North, more common than battles as the North is fed up with the war.Lincoln’s dream of healing this divided nation was not to be.History definitely has a story to tell. Killing Lincoln is well-written, meticulously researched and fascinating in detail.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is a great book It provides a historical review of the civil war. Also behind the scenes of the Lincoln presidency. The only criticism I have is some of the language used in taking the Lords name in vain
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This book by [Bill O'Reilly] was both interesting and satisfying. The book was divided into thirds: end of the civil war/plot and conspiracy and shooting/hunt for the conspirators. I know that the author has been blasted by some historians for relying on the research of others, but then this book is not a dry monologue; it is an engaging story, which most scholars will admit is basically correct on the surface. I will most certainly read his Kennedy write.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Description: A riveting historical narrative of the heart-stopping events surrounding the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and the first work of history from mega-bestselling author Bill O'Reilly 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 Civil War finally comes to an end after a series of incredibly bloody 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. 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 Theater. A furious manhunt ensues and Booth immediately becomes the country's most wanted fugitive. Lafayette C. Baker, a brilliant but enigmatic 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. With an unforgettable cast of characters, vivid historical detail, and page-turning action, Killing Lincoln is history that reads like a thriller.
Review: This book covers Lincoln's last fourteen days. It gives you a glimpse into the Civil War and why Booth wanted Lincoln dead. I learned a lot of things from reading Killing Lincoln. This was a very interesting read. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5As always, the authors of this book are so astute & thorough in they're research!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5An excellent book by Bill O’Reilly I strongly recommend for any age in the family do you read about Abraham Lincoln
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5An enjoyable, easy read. Seemed a bit embellished and read like fiction in places. Bill O'Reilly is an ass, but the book is ok. I'll give Killing Kennedy a read too.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Not sure why some of the criticism, this is an outstanding recap of our country’s history.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Bill O seemed to be more than happy to use the n-word.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I am not an O'Reilly the commentator fan but I was interested in this book for the subject matter and frankly, there are other authors whose books I love but don't care for a lot as a person. I didn't pick it thinking it was a purely historical book based on it's title. All that said, it was an interesting read and there were some details about the Lincoln assassination that I didn't know before. I enjoyed how Mr O'Reilly added his own theories of the events around the killing. He also made it perfectly clear when it was his opinion. Overall, I found the book engaging and interesting enough that I would read the other books in the "Killing" series.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Very dramatic reading. Very well written documentary.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Excellent, I learned a lot. It was like being there.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This book by [Bill O'Reilly] was both interesting and satisfying. The book was divided into thirds: end of the civil war/plot and conspiracy and shooting/hunt for the conspirators. I know that the author has been blasted by some historians for relying on the research of others, but then this book is not a dry monologue; it is an engaging story, which most scholars will admit is basically correct on the surface. I will most certainly read his Kennedy write.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I am not big on historical tomes, but one of my private students had to read this one for a history class at her college prep school, and I read it as well. I am so thankful I did. Thinking I knew all there was to know about Abraham Lincoln's assassination, I was proved wrong. O'Reilly doesn't just tell the tale of Lincoln's death, he tells the backstory of each person and every moment leading up to the president's murder, along with internal dialogue that pushes the story forward like a novel. It also contains what took place after the murder, much of it I only knew from past high school and college text books, which obviously do not go into the crux. This book changed the way I view one of the most important political movements of US history. I came away feeling like I'd just watched a thriller, and have more empathy for those who suffered his loss. If you think you do not enjoy historical non-fiction, this may be the book to change your mind.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This was a great audible road trip book--compelling look at a fascinating moment in US history.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5It's a very informative read. I've read up on the assassination of Lincoln before, so I was aware of Booth's plotting in the days leading up to it. But the book also included information that I did not know. Example: President Lincoln admired Shakespeare plays. In fact, Julius Caesar is said to be his favorite play. And strangely enough, Julius Caesar was betrayed and murdered by his own countryman just like Lincoln.
It is also noted that Lincoln was assassinated on Good Friday--a special day that is associated with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (another person who was betrayed by his own people).
The book also mentions that Lincoln had dreams about his assassination. He knew for a long time that Confederate sympathizers hated him. He received dozens of threats and his security detail man even warned him about it. Mr. Lincoln chose to live his life the way he wanted. Deep down, he knew it would happen at some point. He just didn't know exactly when.
It was a fairly good book. I don't think I'll re-read it again. While it's informative and well researched, I think it's just too depressing for me. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Killing Lincoln is essentially a historical fiction. The events covered in the book are raw history, but the story unfolds like a thriller, and the authors take much liberty with the thoughts and desires of the different folks whose perspectives the reader is bounced between. It is an intriguing read, and requires no real background on the topic to be able to enjoy. For history novices, it is a solid introduction to the topic and to the period of American history. For history aficionados, you will likely learn a thing or two about the event. Sometimes these new facts are simply theories (albeit not unfounded ones) and sometimes they are facts that aren't common to history books but come out due to the nature of the storytelling. This is a good read for anyone who likes presidential history, civil war history or murder mysteries. The only people who may be disappointed are those who are expecting a more textbook-like account of the assassination.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is a very readable account of all that led to the assassination of Lincoln and the aftermath of it. There are many facts in here that I did not know. I am not a student of history, so I only knew the bare bones facts. O'Reilly and Dugard add much to my knowledge of this part of American history, especially about the conspiracy involved. Highly recommended!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Best Lincoln assignation history I have read. Very well done. Lots of good research.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This has been on my TBR pile for a long time. I regret it took me so long to getting around to reading it. It's a great book and I give it 5 StarsI learned so much about the Civil War which takes up the first 83 pages. I don't usually like reading about war but this was written in a way that made it more interesting because of diaries and other historical documents.This book is history which reads like a murder mystery/thriller. Even though we know how it all turns out in the end, the short chapters which all have a time line, flew by for me. All I learned in history class so many years ago is that Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth while watching a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC. Even though I've toured Ford Theatre many times, I can't recall learning anything more. I knew little about Booth and had never heard of the other people involved before and after the shooting.It's so obvious that this endeavor by O'Reilly and his co-author, Martin Dugard, is thoroughly researched. I like the fact that no footnotes were used but there is additional information in the back of the book that readers can peruse such as an Appendix which includes the Harper's Weekly-A Journal of Civilization dated April 29, 1865. There is a list of books, websites, and other archived information which reflect the main research sources for this book. The index alone is eight pages of small type.Now I am inspired to read Killing Reagan, Killing Jesus, and Killing the Rising Sun.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I was hesitant to read this book because I'm not a fan of Bill O'Reilly's style. But then I figured his co-author, Martin Dugard, probably buffered him a little. I'm glad I did because I enjoyed the narrative style of this biography. Of course, I knew how the story would end, but I loved the personal aspect the authors gave to the storyline. I really felt an emotional connection to the participants. The story flowed well, and I really enjoyed the epilogue at the end to find out what happened after everything was "over". What kept this from being a 5 star book was O'Reilly's bias against one of the characters who was never proven to have any complicity in the conspiracy. I wasn't bothered by the accusation; I was bothered by his whining about it with no proof. However, I still really enjoyed this book.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A quick read. Consider this the entry level book if you know very little about the asassination of Lincoln. Juuust enough to whet your appetite for more Lincoln, Civil War, and conspiracy theories. It reads like journalism style to me, fairly well done, succinct. I read it in a day and a half. Not sure how much O'Reilly contributed style wise but if he wrote the majority of this, he should quit his job as a frothing pundit and write history.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Reads like a novel starting with the final days of the Civil War, then concentrating on the assassination of the 16th President. The first President to die at the hands of an assassin. The book continues with the manhunt for all those involved along with the outcome for those involved. One should note that Lincoln wanted a smooth transition to healing unlike many any the north who felt the south should pay for taking the country to war. Because of his assassination his Vice President Andrew Johnson quite possibly our most inept President, went forward with the North's desire to make the South pay and set the healing of the country back by decades if not a century. There were plenty of great facts on many of the people of this time that I was unaware of and will want to learn more about these individuals.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The authors did well in this nonfiction's depiction of the end of the Civil War, which fueled noted stage actor and southern sympathizer John Wilkes Booth's drive to lead a small group of conspirators, to assassinate President Lincoln and to escape into northern Virginia. Refusing to surrender, he was shot by a Union soldier. I did learn a couple of facts that I had not known before including the fact the President Lincoln was not only intended victim that fateful night on April 14th. Additionally, one of the conspirators was the boarding house owner, Mary Surratt, who became the first and only woman hung by the U.S. government. I was surprised that Booth was only 26 years old when he died.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Reviews the events leading up to Lincoln's assassination in Ford's Theater on Good Friday and the manhunt for Booth and his accomplices.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Again, a pretty good book. It appears factual and follows known facts, but sometimes wanders in to speculation, which is what reporters do when they don't have facts. The novel like format adds to readability as it's not just another history. It's read by Bill O'Reilly, but was it really written by him? In the audiobook format, he spent about 1.5 hours, or 20% of the book, on the Virginia campaign, Spring 1865. True, that sets the stage at war's end, but much is unrelated to the book's theme. Additionally, there are some little known facts exposed: like the number of times that Lincoln's body is moved or reexamined (17) after burial. This is a fine popular primer, but don't take it as researched and scholarly historical fact.