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)

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.

O'Reilly is Human afterall

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

No, unless you want to listen to Bill mispronounce cavalry each and every time he reads it. Great Book – well done except for pronouncing cavalry as “Calvary.” Probably because of Sister What’s Her Name ingraining those religious principles.

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

The detail of Lincoln's death.

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

Most everything except the Calvary distraction.

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

The descriptive narrative of the war between North and South gave me a real sense of being there.

Any additional comments?

Booth ... what a pinhead.

Making history exciting

Excellent book detailing the end of the civil war, and the plot to kill Lincoln. Written in a fashion that was dynamic and captivating. I never learned those details in history class in school.

One of the best!

What a wonderful job they have done with this book, so much I did not know! I would highly recommend everyone read/listen to this book, this is what they should put in our schools, it is true history!

Excellent.

What did you love best about Killing Lincoln?

The facts and details that O'Reilly brings out are presented in way that keeps your attention and leaves you wanting to find out what happens next. Always nice to listen to how the author wants you to hear the dialog in the way he has written it and expects the reader to interpret the importance of a particular line/sentence. Found out things I wasn't aware of about Lincoln, the generals and family. Very interesting to learn about who was involved and died because of their involvement.

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

The details surrounding Booth and his life. Plus how many people were in line to kidnap or assassinate Lincoln. Amazing he lived until the end of the war and how fortunate we all are that he did. People tend to forget it was less than two lifetimes ago. Slavery would still be practiced in some form if the south had won because it would have been a mandate and part of the new constitution.

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

Being a former history teacher, you can feel the passion he has when explaining the events, but leaves out the boring reading of speaches etc.... which was good... Summarizing them was really the way to go. You also can tell he really loves history and the information he's found.

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

Not really. It was just good historical capture of what was going on at the time. Very good.

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to a movie.. :)

Exciting from start to finish!

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

While giving you full history this book is exciting!

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

None other like it.

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

Same style as his show.

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

Leaves you wanting more!

Very Good

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

reads like news

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

Bill, Mr. O, come on big man! Add some EMOTION when you READ!!!!!!