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)

Excellent experience.

What did you love best about Killing Lincoln?

Limited in scope to the two weeks prior to the assassination and just afterwards.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Abraham Lincoln always stands above his contemporaries, literally and figuratively.

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

An easy voice to listen to; both in pitch and accent; also familiar to me from his FOX show.

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

In Richmond, post-victory, sitting on Jefferson Davis' porch with General Grant while hundreds of newly freed slaves silently watched.

Any additional comments?

No.

Great Book

Very easy to listen to and great information. You'll enjoy listening to the book. I have to use 15 words and I don't have any thing else to write

Great Listen

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

By far, the most enjoyable part of this book was the narration by Bill. Great voice that keeps the reader engaged.

What did you like best about this story?

Being a history buff and a profound admiration for our 16th president, I felt this book gave great detail into the man that was Abraham Lincoln. I also got a greater understanding of who Booth was and what led him to that fateful event that happened in Ford's theater.

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

Whenever you get the experience of having the author narrate his own book, you get the chance to hear how it was meant to be read. Especially a voice such as O'Rilley has.

Things I didn't know

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

Small facts about the President and other people of the time, made me imagine what it was like to live in that time. The hardships of the civil was that where never brought out in our history classes, that made me understand the cruelty of war on both sides.

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

It horrified me in places to think that some people, not just in the killing of the President got away with not following orders, but in the war, that made it even last longer.

Any additional comments?

I wish there where more books that brought out the true and not "candy coated" history that we were taught in school. Teaching history in a story rather than in bulleted points of facts is the way people would relate and enjoy knowing what went on and how one persons ego and not following orders as given can cost so much.

Lessons learned from history can show our youth that one person can make a difference in the world.

MUST LISTEN! Should be required in every school.

Would you listen to Killing Lincoln again? Why?

Yes as it was a lot to take in.

What did you like best about this story?

That it captured your attention to the point you wanted to keep listening.

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

Spot on.

Good job Bill & Martin!

Lots of interesting info not taught in public schools.
Don't let the negative reviews of O'Reily's read put you off. Sure, he mispronounces a couple of words. If you like Mr. O, you wouldn't have anyone else narrate his book. If you don't like him, it wouldn't matter who they used to narrate. It wouldn't make you happy.

Great historical non fiction

Very informative on the circumstances surrounding President Lincoln's death. Great book if you're interested in History and want to know more about the story.

Thoroughly Enjoyed It

What did you love best about Killing Lincoln?

This is a story that doesn't change no matter how it is written or talked about. However, this version included information that I hadn't any knowledge of, both items of significance and those more trivial. For example, I didn't know the fate of all of the conspirators, nor did I know that Lincoln wore a size 14 shoe. More importantly however, I didn't know how much easier it was for Booth to gain entry into Lincoln's theater box since his sole body guard chose to leave out of boredom and lack of dedication to his station. Nor did I know that Booth's final capture rested on the hunch of one man after literally thousands had combed the countryside looking for him. I find it interesting to listen to the author of a selection because the narration is more a reflection of how he or she intends for the story to be told in terms of expression and inflection. This is a well researched and interesting interpretation of one of the most significant and horrific occurrences in the history of America.

A Must Listen

Bill O'Reilly's performance keeps you engaged. There were two instances where I was disappointed--both were with his pronounciations--one was "carotid artery." The other was a medical term as well, but I don't remember exactly what it was now.

The research that went into this book is incredible, and it made me appreciate even more this amazing president. Just imagine what might have been different had he lived...

very entertaining

a very thorough and enjoyable account of the assassination of Lincoln. I recommend it for all