Manhunt

The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer

By: James L. Swanson

Narrated by: Richard Thomas

Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

The murder of Abraham Lincoln set off the greatest manhunt in American history, the pursuit and capture of John Wilkes Booth. From April 14 to April 26, 1865, the assassin led Union cavalry and detectives on a wild 12-day chase through the streets of Washington, D.C., across the swamps of Maryland, and into the forests of Virginia, while the nation, still reeling from the just-ended Civil War, watched in horror and sadness.

At the very center of this story is John Wilkes Booth, America's notorious villain. A Confederate sympathizer and a member of a celebrated acting family, Booth threw away his fame and wealth for a chance to avenge the South's defeat. For almost two weeks, he confounded the manhunters, slipping away from their every move and denying them the justice they sought.

Based on rare archival materials, obscure trial transcripts, and Lincoln's own blood relics, Manhunt is a fully documented work, but it is also a fascinating tale of murder, intrigue, and betrayal. A gripping hour-by-hour account told through the eyes of the hunted and the hunters, this is history as you've never read it before.

©2006 James L. Swanson (P)2006 HarperCollinsPublishers

Critic reviews

• Mystery Writers of America 2007 Edgar Award, Best Fact Crime
• 2006 Quill Award Nominee
• Audie Award Finalist, Nonfiction, Abridged, 2007

"Pure narrative pleasure, sure to satisfy the casual reader and Civil War aficionado alike." (Publishers Weekly)
"Swanson's synthesis of the sources is bound to be a cover-to-cover reading hit with history lovers." (Booklist)
"Manhunt is vigorous and clear without sacrificing accuracy....Just as Booth did, the book saves its heavy ammunition for a final showdown." (The New York Times)

Great book

Would have gotten a 5th star if this was unabridged but alas it isnt. Two thumbs up to Richard Thomas.

Fantastic

This is one I'd like to go back and actually read as well. The narration is wonderful and the author wrote the history like a novel. You can just see everything play out in your head like you are watching a movie.
Can't say enough about it. It's one I'll listen to again.

Blew Me Away

James Swanson’s “Manhunt” reads like a master thriller, and Richard Thomas absolutely nails the narration of this book. The combination of Swanson’s writing and Thomas’s narration is extraordinary. At times it was hard to remember that what I was listening to was, in fact, historical nonfiction of which I already knew the outcome, because it had all the feel and excitement of an excellent fictional work. The detailed description and account of the attack by assassin Lewis Powell on Secretary of State Seward the same night Lincoln was shot, for instance, just blew me away. This book could be adapted into a wonderful screenplay, it’s that good.

Great book!

This was the first audible book I listened to. I selected it because of the reviews and I was not disappointed. It built in excitement up to the time when Booth was taken. The broad presentation was well-spaced and the details were very good. The last hour, which covered the events after his capture, was a little bit of a let-down. I enjoyed this book so much I listened to it again five months later.

Compelling

Would you listen to Manhunt again? Why?

Yes. The historical facts were presented in scintillating detail. It left me wanting more.

What did you like best about this story?

An appreciation for the amount of time that went into gleaning the historical facts comprising this book

What about Richard Thomas’s performance did you like?

His narration brought the events to life. Kept my interest alive and wanting to know what the next chapter had to say.

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

Yes

Wonderful Book

I listened to O'Reilly's book about Lincoln and loved it. This one is just as good maybe better. Yes!!!!

Good Story, good reader

It was a good story, well researched. Not a lot of new material if you are already quite knowledgeable on the subject. John Boy Walton does a good job as narrator as well. I would give it a 3 1/2 if I could, but it's closer to a 4 than a 3. I do recommend it and would put it in the top 50% out of 70+ listens. I was just looking for something new and it didn't happen or I would have rated it higher.

Fascinating story

This was a fascinating story, one I'd never truly heard. James Swanson did a fantastic job in researching which allowed this non-fiction book to feel like a novel. Lots of color and touches that hooked me early on.

The reading was pretty good. Wish they had an unabridged version, however.

Overall: Loved the story, could have kept going. Worth a try.

Loved it so informative

I learned so much more than I ever learned from school I will be reading it again and again

What a Waste

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

Don't know yet

What did you like best about this story?

It read like a mystery novel

What does Richard Thomas bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His wonderful phrasing

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

No, I seldom have 9 hours to spare

Any additional comments?

I want the unabridged version. The shortened story was a disappointment. I feel it probably left out alot of interesting details that would have made the book even better.