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)

AS GOOD AS I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE!

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

Enlightening, entertaining and engrossing.

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

The perspective of Booth as he plans the assassination.

Which scene was your favorite?

Didn't have a favorite.

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

May have wanted to but didn't.

Any additional comments?

No.

Truth is more interesting than fiction

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

Well told story of a major event in US history that pulls the reader into it the drama and keeps them there.

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

I could feel my own emotions reacting to the events as they unfolded.

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

I cannot imagine anyone else telling this story, well done Bill.

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

No doubt the sadness of losing such a great man.

Any additional comments?

To Bill O'Reilly, more, more, more, don't leave me with this cupidity.

WHO KNEW!!!

I went into this book after it had been on the market for a while. I didn't think I wanted to read yet another book about Lincoln in general or his assassination in particular. After all when I went to school we were required to do a lot more reading, and a lot of it was history. But, I'm a Bill O'Reilly fan and after hearing him talk about it; a lot. I thought well, I'll give it a try.
Am I glad I did! This book goes into details that I don't remember ever being addressed much studied in any depth. As I listened this book the one single most common thought that punctuated my thinking was; "I've never heard that before".
The book is an easy listen. O'Reilly narrates it, and it's done in style that's easy to listen to, and holds your interest. I didn't want to set the book down (so to speak), but I also dreaded getting to the end; I was enjoying it that much.
I'm not going to get into specifics of the book here. I'm going to say that even if you think you don't like Bill O'Reilly you need to give this book a tumble. You won't learn one thing you didn't know before; you'll learn several.
And excellent book; I'm really glad I set aside my thought that I couldn't possibly learn anything that I hadn't heard about before.

CaV-alry

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

Loved the book..but hated the use of the word CALvary repeatedly instead of CAV-alry. Otherwise, outstanding,

Which scene was your favorite?

Enjoyed them all.

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

Made me sad when such a great man, Lincoln was shot and killed.

Any additional comments?

Loved the way O'Reilly gave a "novel" approach to such a historical event.

Thrilling Account of history

Well researched and crafted in relating the events and characters in this American tragedy. I must state up front, that I am negatively biased in my feelings toward the narrator, and did not care for his performance very much. The narration flowed through the voice and character of a modern day sensationalistic television reporter. From my personal point of view, I thought the matter of fact delivery, took away from a very good story.

revealing

If you want to know more about the Lincoln assassination, this book will not disappoint. I really liked getting to know the historical characters on a personal level - it gives so much more to the reader. I think Mr O'Reilly could've given the narration to someone else, that said, he doesn't do a bad job - it just could be a little better. His narration does not detract from the story, but it does nothing to enhance it. Luckily, the story holds together quite well on its own.
Worth the read.

There just are not words...

I am an over the road truck driver and I have listened to this book about 5 times now and just can't shut it off once it starts. Bill O Reilly has writen some good ones but for my money this is the best. I have lent out my hard copy many times now and just keep passing it around because the truth REALLY is better then fiction! I have to say that this is another of those books that makes me sit back and really ponder our history in this great nation. I am struck by the overwhelming nature of this account of the last 14 days of an American Hero. This should be a required read!

Excellently Done

Would you listen to Killing Lincoln again? Why?

Yes. Mister O'Reilly made you feel like you are there while he is telling the story with every little detail.

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

Unfortunately this is the first book of Mister O'Reilly's that I have read, but it won't be my last.

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

It made me see how courageous Abraham Lincoln really was. It was very inspiring.

O'Reilly is a great story teller.

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

Very high, it added to my understanding of the assassination events, even though the story was dramatized, it was based upon facts.

Which scene was your favorite?

The search for and capture of Booth and the collaborators.

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

No

Great history and narration

Great narration from Bill O'Reilly. His books provide great context that surrounds true historical events.