Killing Lincoln

The Shocking Assassination That Changed America Forever

By: Bill O'Reilly, Martin Dugard

Narrated by: Bill O'Reilly

Length: 7 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

A riveting historical narrative of the heart-stopping events surrounding the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and the first work of history from mega best-selling 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, DC, 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 pause-resisting action, Killing Lincoln is history that comes across like a thriller.

©2011 Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard (P)2011 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"As a history major, I wish my required reading had been as well written as this truly vivid and emotionally engaging account of Lincoln's assassination. And as a former combat infantry officer, I found myself running for cover at the Civil War battle scenes. This is the story of an American tragedy that changed the course of history. If you think you know this story, you don't until you’ve read Killing Lincoln. Add historian to Bill O’Reilly’s already impressive résumé." (Nelson DeMille, author of The Lion and The Gold Coast)

"[ Killing Lincoln] is nonfiction, albeit told in white-knuckled, John Grisham-like style." ( New York Post)

"If Grisham wrote a novel about April 1865…it might well read like Killing Lincoln." (Peter J. Boyer, Newsweek)

Excellent

I enjoyed this thoroughly. O'Reilly has a voice that lends itself to narration. I have only one critique of this production. The word is Cavalry, not Calvary.

The best book ever!

Where does Killing Lincoln rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Number 1!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Killing Lincoln?

The battles leading up to Appomattox. I used my tablet viewing maps and photos while listening.

What about Bill O'Reilly’s performance did you like?

Everything!

Two Reasons Why this is a NOT TO MISS Audible!

If you could sum up Killing Lincoln in three words, what would they be?

Two Special Treats

What did you like best about this story?

TREAT ONE...it is an accurate, rivoting account of a moment in history which changed the course of our country. TREAT TWO ...READ BY BILL O'REILLY the author...do not miss this if you are a fan!!

Have you listened to any of Bill O'Reilly’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No extreme reaction ....a sense of knowing how it ends but NEVER hearing the reconstructed day by day account of the events leading to one of two (my opinion only) disasters (the other being Oswald's killing of Kennedy) which altered forever the history of our country!

Any additional comments?

Interesting that the books were released this fall! Also both events lead to a President named Johnson who had difficulty completing the term of office!

Wish I could have met him

What made the experience of listening to Killing Lincoln the most enjoyable?

Bill O'Reilly

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoy everything about Lincoln and this book was so well done.

What about Bill O'Reilly’s performance did you like?

Bill just makes you believe in him and what he is saying. I trust what he tells me. I listen to all his books

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When President Lincoln was shot it's hard to imagine how he suffered. We are so fortunate to be in this day and age with modern medicine.

Any additional comments?

Another book very well done

Nice review of history with new facts gleaned

Where does Killing Lincoln rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 50%

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lincoln, enjoyed learning more about him

Which character – as performed by Bill O'Reilly – was your favorite?

Booth, great insight into the man

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

What do you really know about the assain who killed Abraham Lincoln?

Great Read

If you could sum up Killing Lincoln in three words, what would they be?

Easy to read.

What other book might you compare Killing Lincoln to and why?

Killing Kennedy. It is written in the same easy flow style that holds your attention and leaves you not wanting to put it down.

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked all of the Civil War descriptions.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

I strongly recommend this book. The Audio version is great.

After Kennedy, this was just as good

What did you love best about Killing Lincoln?

I read Kennedy first, and the differences are amazing. In JFK, he leaves you wondering. In Lincoln, there is no doubt

What was one of the most memorable moments of Killing Lincoln?

when Reilly leaves you thinking Stanton was in on the conspiracy

Which scene was your favorite?

Booth exiting DC after the killing - how lucky he was

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

when the first doctor on the scene was putting his finger in Lincoln's brain to relieve swelling

Any additional comments?

jst as great as Kennedy - loved it

Good chronological narrative of the events.

Would you consider the audio edition of Killing Lincoln to be better than the print version?

In some ways the audio was better as the text is written more like a news report rather than a narrative and the narrator reads it in that fashion.

What did you like best about this story?

The chronology and research is very thorough.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Nothing except to learn the difference between Cavalry and Calvary as he makes this mistake repeatedly.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes but too long for one sitting.

Any additional comments?

Some events which are still in dispute regarding the conspirators and motivations were not touched on and probably should have been included even if only as speculation at this time.

I never learned this in elementary school

Wow. What a great story. I never knew any of this beyond the fact that John Wilkes Booth killed Lincoln in Ford's theater. There is so much more to know, and this book does a great job of explaining it all in a very well written, very compelling way. I have only one very small gripe. O'Reilly consistently miss pronounces the word cavalry, and says Calvary instead. Each time he did that it took me a little bit out of the story. Otherwise, It's a really great book, and I am so glad I listened to it. I will certainly listen to more of O'Reilly's books. By the way, if you're a liberal and fear that O'Reilly is going to inject politics into this book, that is definitely not the case. Enjoy the book.

Think you know everything about Lincoln's death?

Any additional comments?

Filled with little known facts as well as those widely known, this book brings to life the murder of Abraham Lincoln in such a way that it might have happened this morning. With clarity and the intense research reputation of Bill O'Reilly, the events are presented in an interesting as well as informative way. I cannot say it was enjoyable considering the subject, but I thoroughly enjoyed the read.
Okay, so we already know how it ends, but if you want to know details never before reported, and if you want to discover things that were misrepresented, or occurred differently than you were taught, this book will delight you. If you like to find out the intimate details of an historical event that are beyond the basics, you'll be happy to read this book. I highly recommend this to you.Mr. O'Reilly is the narrator, and it kind of felt like watching his TV program.