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)

Riveting! Kept me on the edge of my seat!

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

The author did a wonderful job at drawing me into the sights, sounds and even the smells of these historic American days.

What did you like best about this story?

It was told in way that made it unforgettable.

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

Hard to choose. Probably Abraham Lincoln.

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

For the most part, yes.

Any additional comments?

I would love to hear more historical accounts told with this quality of story-telling artistry!
THANK YOU FOR A JOB WELL DONE MR. O'REILLY!

You know how the story ends

What did you love best about Killing Lincoln?

Killing Lincoln tells not just the story of John Wilkes Booth and his plan to kill Lincoln. It paints a broad picture of America in the last days of the Civil War. Mr. O'Reilly does a brilliant job of tying together the main characters on both sides of the war and those who plotted to, not only assassinate Lincoln, but cause anarchy in post-Civil War America.

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

The story of the attempted assassination of Secretary of State William Seward was especially well told. Prior to this I only knew of his role in the acquisition of Alaska. I did not know of the attack on him and his family that occurred at the same time that Lincoln was shot.

What aspect of Bill O'Reilly’s performance would you have changed?

Overall, I liked Mr. O'Reilly's performance. He did a good job of dramatizing what could have been a very dry history lesson. But, I did have a hard time separating his reading of this book from his television persona.

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

The multiple tragedies of Mary Lincoln's life was a thread that ran throughout the background of this story. The reader is reminded over and over of how many sad and tragic events she survived.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in American History and the Civil War era. I was particularly interested to learn that John Wilkes Booth's action to assassinate President Lincoln actually made post-war restoration much more difficult on the South than it would have been had Lincoln remained in the Presidency.

Absolutely Riveting!

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

I haven't read the print edition so I can't compare them.

What other book might you compare Killing Lincoln to and why?

Probably

Which scene was your favorite?

The description of the actual assassination.

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

Neither.

Any additional comments?

I was riveted.

Finally, truthful history!!!

Killing Lincoln is an excellent book. It reads like a novel, but it follows facts that most of us have never known. Because of the intrigue of finding out all of those secrets, it's hard to put down. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in US History or in Lincoln. It follows events that brought it all together, much like any such incident in this world today. Having been given facts, "Booth killed Lincoln in the Ford Theatre while he and his wife were watching a play. Booth jumps off the balconey where Lincoln sat and broke his leg." History book information minimized the President and the plot to kill him, this book makes it a real event that we do need to know about. History is always written by those who win. We need to re-write history to cover the facts and the truth! Bill O'Reilly does the read well, in his usual style, which is pleasant but factful. Good BooK!!!

Histroy comes alive

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

Informative, Interesting, Complex

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

The hours prior to and following his death

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

He is a great storyteller. He provides facts when available and also highlights unanswered questions.

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

descriptions of battles and bloodshed

Great Listening

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

Enthrauling

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

Learning so much about the interactions and lives of the people involved.

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

Inflections while reading

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

Description of the assasination

Any additional comments?

I think this should be a must read for school children to bring back some realties of past sacrafices of war,conviction and self sacrafice.

Informative and Entertaining

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

I highly recommend this book, especially if you love mysteries. I say this because of the way in which Bill O'Reilly read the book--as a murder mystery. It was informative and entertaining at the same time.

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

It wasn't so much a memorable moment in the story that intrigued me, but Lincoln's relationship with his wife. The story was so believable because of the way in which all the pieces fell into place and explained a lot of what I already knew about Lincoln.

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

Bill read the story in such a way that the listener was drawn into the events that were taking place, even giving one the feeling of being one of the bystanders at the events.

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

I could have easily listened to the book in one sitting, but enjoyed listening to segments and having some time to digest what I had learned.

Any additional comments?

This is a good read or listen for anyone. I am looking forward to his next book.

One of the Best

Like him, or hate him, Bill O'Reilly's "Killing Lincoln" is one of the best books dealing with one of the most interesting and controversial events in American history. The many twists and turns in this intriguing book make it an essential for every history buff's audio library. O'Reilly's narration is consistent with his "Factor" persona.

Learned about a lot that I did not get from Histor

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

I thiink that he true facts of what really happened throughout the telling of the story were fantastic. I enjoyed Bill O'Reilly telling that history with real felling and sometimes deep emotion

What did you like best about this story?

All the facts that I never knew took place during the war. I especially enjoyed knowing a little about the characters. Mary Lincoln, etc

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

I have not

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

It made me sad to know there was so much hatred and if Lincoln had moved just a few inches perhaps he would not have been killed, at least for that moment

The death of Lincoln CSI

The autopsy of Lincolns death with all the sub plots was performed by Bill And Martin in this well written book.
Although I listen to it in my car through audible books. It was interesting to know how all the players came to together with the war being the main back ground.Politics and personnel hatred were much alive in 1864.
Bills performance as a narrator was ok as I like Bill very much.There's a monotone or cadence in his presentation that is annoying however. Sorry Bill but it would have been better read by someone else.
The book is a must read if you like complete details and darkening plots.