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)

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.

A real life drama

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

I LOVED this book. It read like a drama, while being historically correct. It brought to light the quirky facts of happenstance that real life provides. I enjoyed learning how the characters had interacted in the past and how these interactions effected the events surrounding this historic incident.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lincoln

What does Bill O'Reilly bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Emphasis is given in verbal clues that may not have been observed by me in print.

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

It made me laugh, cry and rewind often.

Exciting story

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

The time line connecting people and events made it very enjoyable..

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

I think he did an excellent job of presenting the story and his tying events and people together made the story very interesting.

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

There were to many to mention. I listened to this book in one day and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Any additional comments?

It is an excellent read and I recommend it to anyone who has an interest in Lincoln, his death and the events that took place the last few weeks of his life.

Great Book & Narration- Some Historical Error

I thought that this was an excellent book and was well narrated. I thought that the authors did an excellent job describing the events surrounding the assasination of Lincoln. Although it could have been excluded, the description of the battles covering the fall of Petersburg to Lee's surrender at Appomatox Courthouse was very good. The only problem that causes me some pause to the quality of the book are some historical errors- the most important to me being the one describing Edwin Stanton. The authors incorrectly state that Stanton's first appointment to Lincoln's cabinet was to the post of Attorney General and that he later was appointed Secretary of War. Stanton, a lifelong Democrat, was Attorney General during the last months of the Buchanon Administration and was appointed by Lincoln as Secretary of War in 1862 following the Lincoln's dismissal of Simon Cameron from the position. I recognize that this is a samll error- but when listening to a book such as this one- in which the authors state that all of the facts presented are absolutely true- this error causes me to doubt the accuracy of the rest of the book. Nevertheless it is a good book and worthy of purchase

Great book! Very interesting.

I thought I knew the story of Lincolns assassination, but only knew the superficial details. There was so much more at work than just 'a crazy actor who killed the president.' My only complaint is that after a while Bill O'reilly's dictation and oral mannerisms grow a little wearily on the ears. I much preferred the narrator of his book "Killing the Rising Sun."