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)

An excellent compilation of Lincoln last weeks.

Would you listen to Killing Lincoln again? Why?

Yes, there were so many events and people involved, the ending of the war and the death of Lincoln. This was a fantastic history lesson.

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

No, however I'm looking forward to listening to "The Killing of Kennedy"

Any additional comments?

What a great book. There were so many stories within the Story. It gave me a better understanding of such a horrible war. There were many facts I was not aware of. I was also amazed at the personal connections between many of the characters and Lincoln or his family.

This is a great story, very well presented.

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

This is clearly one of the best. A lot of detail about the civil war's end and Lincoln's death that I had never heard before. Well worth reading or listening to.

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

We lived near Appomattox and visited that site many times. The narrative of the battles leading up to Appomattox was most interesting.

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

Grant

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

An exceptional history of the civil war and the death of a president.

Enjoyable!

The book more then met my expectations. I enjoyed the history lesson. The narrator did a fine job. I look forward to Bill O'Reilly's other books.

Cavalry, Calvary, O'Reilly doesn't know the diff.

Apparently there is no audible editor for Bill. He spent too much time in religious school and not enough time at the dictionary. He refers to the part of the military using horses as the Calvary EVERY TIME. I liked the sidelights to history that this story provided but the reader's problems with the language were disturbing.

Gripping!

The book is gripping from beginning to end. So much never taught in school add o many years back.

Amazing Historical Account

I loved every minute of this audiobook. I appreciate how the facts are presented: as unbiased as is possible. Yet the story reads as easily as a novel.

Couldn't stop listening, but my daughter had to

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

I originally handed this audio to my 11 year old daughter, who brought it back a couple of hours later saying she probably shouldn't listen to it. I decided I needed to listen and sure enough there were a few parts I was uncomfortable having her listen to. I loved the book and I realize Bill didn't write the book for 11 year olds, but I wish there was a version for younger children because it was a wonderfully rich, historical book. It was done so dramatically I listened to the whole book in 2 days, and I have a pretty busy schedule.

Excellent!

I was completely captured by the story. Of course I already knew Lincoln was killed by John Wilks Booth. But still, not being a history buff, I felt completely educated by it. The audio reading of the book makes it all the more compelling.

A real page turner

Any additional comments?

This is a beautifully done history. Concise, not wordy and too the point, it is the best narration of the events surrounding the President's death I have ever read.

Factual history witching an enjoyable format!

This was an extremely enjoyable book for me because history is so often just lists of names and dates for important times, without the human story experiences associated with these.  The authors of this book made these facts into an exciting 'story' framework.  

A few weeks before the assassination, until the captures and punishments of the perpetrators, this story  was told through Lincoln's life parallel with John Wilkes Booth actions.  Then the book ended with a description of all the important characters as they completed their lives.  

SO MUCH better than lists and lists of facts!!  Both facts AND story is my idea of an historical book!! I'll remember this part of history much better now then after all the high school and collage classes I've taken thus far!