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)

amazing story

This is an amazing story and like so many others have said, I was hoping till the end that he would not be killed. Oreilly to me does not have the voice I would want to listen to for an extended period, but the story has me thinking of other books on the same subject.
A quick listen and even though I knew the outcome, certainly worth the time.

Excellent read.

Just wish I had had a history teacher in high school that was as interested in teaching history as he was in coaching. He might have assigned us books as good as "Killing Lincoln" to read. I now know that history does not have to be boring.

A good listen but, Bill, hang it up 4 awhile

Any additional comments?

I read "Killing Kennedy" first and my comments about that effort are there. This book is written and narrated in very much the same style. To any passing student of history there is little here that is "shocking". However, the authors do credible work tying together the widely separated events surrounding this historical tragedy into credible, if not also pop, history. Most troubling to me was the fate of Mary Surratt. There was reasonable doubt (at least as it pertains to the death penalty) but of course those times did not allow for such things and she was hanged with men much more intimately involved.

Great story

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

Informative, worthwhile, well-written

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lincoln, the portrayal gave a human aspect whileshowing some of his greatcharacter traits

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

Would have been nice to listen through,but time would not allow it, couldn't wait to get back each time.

Awesome!

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

Fabulous, Thrilling, Intriguing

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

The most most memorable moments of Killing Lincoln for me, were the moments following the shot that would kill the President. Booth thought his life was going to be so great after he killed the President, obviously not the case.

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

The narration was a great plus to this story. It was like I was there!

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

I did have a lot of anxiety over this book. I cannot say it made me laugh or cry but it did fill me with a sense of pride for my country and an even deeper appreciation for President Lincoln.

Any additional comments?

Loved it!

Perfect murder mystery!

The fact that I knew how it was going to end did not detract from the story in the least. Loved loved this book. Bought it for my sis for Christmas.

Fast paced

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

upper middle of the pack

What did you like best about this story?

the pace - easy listen

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

You have to like Bill O'Reilly to like this book.

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

Not sure

Any additional comments?

no

Great Book

Very well written and researched. However, a person as smart as Bill O'Reilly really should know the difference between the word CAVALRY and the word CALVARY which is where Jesus died on the cross. It's really hard to listen to the wrong word throughout the entire book

2nd greatest story ever told.

I completed this in a marathon session. I couldn't stop listening. it is a powerful and enlightening account of events leading upto, at the time of, and after Lincoln's assassination.

Great Listen!

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

Bill O'Reilly's narration was excellent. He made the book most enjoyable.

What did you like best about this story?

It was well researched, yet it read (listened) like a narrative. There was a lot of dialogue. Made the book super engaging.