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)

Captivating, detailed and full of discoveries

We really enjoyed this novel. It’s full of plot twists that we never knew before and helped to provide context that rounds out this tragic history. The pacing is excellent and holds attention, at least for us. Bill O’Reilly’s reading style is easily understood and enjoyable.

Great insight, poor vocabulary.

I loved this book as well as the rest in the series. Great insight into the end of the war and the mindset of the times. However, I had to stop multiple times as Bill’s constant use of the word Calvary, instead of the correct cavalry, was causing my OCD brain to become unraveled. Personal problem I know, but very annoying none the less.

Great story and narration

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

The audio version by Bill O'Reilly was a great story. I thought that he did a very good job delivering the story. His tone and tempo was just right.

What did you like best about this story?

It is interesting to me that I did not know a lot about the story of Lincolns assassination and hearing all of that detail and behind the scenes information really brought the story to life.

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

The best part of O'Reilly's reading was the way he was able to move the story along. His tone and tempo was even and contributed to the story line. I have heard other audible books where the readers voice was so annoying that it detracted from the story.

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

I wanted to listen to this book in one sitting. It kept me on edge with each chapter. Although I

Suspension at its best.

Knowing what history classes and books have published, this book gives a great insight to detailed information on what occurred day by day

Definitely worth it

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

I rank it in the top five.

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

The chase of Booth after the shooting.

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

No

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

Don't have that much time

Any additional comments?

None.

Reads like an historical novel

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I knew that I would probably enjoy this book, being the history buff that I am. And Bill O'Reilly did not disappoint with this well researched account of Lincoln's assassination, particularly the detailed battles and events surrounding the end of the Civil War.

What did you like best about this story?

The idea of combining the end of the war with the assassination plot.

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

No, his reading of his book was fine. Might have benefited from a third party reading, however. But, I still enjoyed the book.

Any additional comments?

Well researched account with details that I had never heard before.

Fast and wonderful story

This was a great story about one the very best Presidents. It goes very quickly. At times, Bill tells it as though he is trying to getting everything on TV. Quickly. Still, this is an outstanding book and well done. Performance. Shouldn't have been 4 3/4 stars.

A must {listen to} book.

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

History with significance!

What did you like best about this story?

One of the things I liked best about the story was the day by day then hour by hour account of Lincoln's last two weeks.

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

This was my first audio book by Mr. O'Reilly.

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

Yes.

Any additional comments?

The attention to detail, and overall desire to tell this sad story with accuracy, was refreshing.

Loved the book and the audible version

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

Being read by O'Reilly

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

The detail in which the personal details of each character came out.

What does Bill O'Reilly bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His love and admiration for president Lincoln

Any additional comments?

I loved the details brought out in the book and really enjoyed O'Reilly reading the book himself.

Outstanding Read!!

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

It was a fast paced history of the entire plot to kill Lincoln which might not transfer to print as well as in Audio format. Audio made it more intense in my opinion.

What did you like best about this story?

The details of the plot and the involvement of so many others in the attempt to remove the Union/US Governemt leadership.

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

One other, it was a good but this was much better.

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

I believe the death scene of John Wilkes Booth moved me. I never knew that so many people were in pursuit of him.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this to anyone with historical interests in the Civil War or the life of Abraham Lincoln.