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)

O'Reilly's exciting book marred by delivery

Despite recent news stories alleging factual errors in Bill O'Reilly's accounting of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, I thought his book was fascinating. However, I was greatly disappointed in O'Reilly's narration. He sounded pedantic, professorial and, frankly, bored with his own work. He spoke too rapidly, without the ever-effective pauses, vocal variations and drama that a professional narrator could have injected. (I kept thinking "Gosh, I wish Scott Brick were reading this one!")

pronouncing cavalry as "calvary" was my pet peeve.

excellent book but someone else should have narrated it. (see above headline). I diid enjoy learning the true historical sequence of events. Koodos to O'Reilly.

I now completely grasp the end of the Civil War

This book really open my eyes up about the end of the Civil War. I thought I would walk away with a greater understanding of Booth and Lincoln but I ended up walking away with the much deeper understanding of Lincoln, Grant , Robert E Lee even our country. The Way It was written got me really interested in a time that I thought I knew.

Very informative

What did you love best about Killing Lincoln?

I learned a lot of historical facts that I have never heard before.

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

We have visited the theatre where Lincoln was killed, so it interesting listening to the story and being able to picture the box Lincoln was in and the theatre set up. There were so many new facts I learned listening to this book that I did not know even though we did tour the theatre.

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

It is a very long book so impossible to listen to in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

I am listening to it a second time and picking up details I missed the first listen. So many facts hard to capture them all the first time.

Interesting, Informative but slightly rushed.

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

I listened only.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved that it was a detailed timeline of the several weeks in the Lincoln assassination history.

What three words best describe Bill O'Reilly’s performance?

Down to business.

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

No

Any additional comments?

I applaud O'Reilly for narrating his own book but his pace seemed rushed.
Some chapters seemed textbook-y, rattling off names and dates, others seemed like a made-for-tv drama based on historical events.
But, If you like history, you will love the detailed research.
Before hearing this book I knew little of the other conspiritors and victims in the plot against our 16th president.
He raises questions of a conspiracy inside the Lincoln administration, but can draw no conclusions due to missing/destroyd evidence, which to me, says more than a little.
It also illustrates that even as early the 1860's American politics was, sadly, run by career politicians who were petty, partisan elitists who were divisive along idealistic lines as opposed to pragmatic public servants owo practice self-sacrifice.

Excellent read

What did you love best about Killing Lincoln?

I loved the detailed information and the way it gave us historical facts in such an interesting way.

What did you like best about this story?

The way it was written

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

Yes...his autobiography. This one was more interesting.

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

The description of Lincoln's death.

Good book but needs a real reader

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

It's a good story all round. It holds up well to other books on the subject. Details are sufficient without being overbearing as with many historically based books.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Bill O'Reilly?

Truthfully? Anyone else would have been better. O'Reilly reads this too fast, as if he were doing his TV show. For the record, Mr. O'Reilly, the word is "cavalry", not "Calvary".
Perhaps someone like Edward Herriman or one of the other History Channel guys would have made this an easier listen.

Any additional comments?

I liked the story, thought the book to be good on the whole, but the narration was pretty bad. He should have let an actor do the read - O'Reilly isn't suited for it.

History comes alive!

What did you love best about Killing Lincoln?

Detailed history put in an interesting way. I get bored with non-fictions very easily. This book was not dry at all...it was well written and I could see the story come alive. I can see book coming out as a movie someday.

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

No - I think his performance was adequate. He isn't an actor so that's understandable.

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

No - it took about a week. I listen to other books and read other books as well.

A thorough history lesson

Every high school student should be required to read this book. It is very detailed and graphic but contains information you will learn nowhere else. It seemed very well researched and accurate. Thank you Bill!

Engaging

An interesting dramatization of the events surrounding Abraham Lincoln and his assassination in a novel which is based off of the historical events very good listen and very educational