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)

Excellent Lincoln continuation narrative

If you enjoyed Team of Rivals, you will greatly enjoy this book since it is a natural follower to continue after Lincoln is killed, to see how and why Booth did what he did and how his conspiritors tried to help him. I also enjoyed the Q/A session at the end with the author. This book was well done and well read. You feel as if you are on the run with Booth and one is amazed how many times he managed to slip by the authorities. You will enjoy this book!

I love this book

I thought that this book very insightful and informative. Someone who read the book told me the author goes off on tangents of speculation. This abridgement is extremely well done and well edited. In my case, I enjoyed it so much that I am reading the full version of the book now. Even so, the author does offer explanations to the things that he speculates and offers other sources of why he is speculating. Overall, a fantastic book. I give four stars because I would have loved to have just downloaded book unabridged.

The ultimate true story thriller

Manhunt is told with the excitement of a dramatized story. The best part is that it is a true accounting of the events surrounding Lincoln's assassination, as well as the chase to catch Booth. I did not realize the extent to this conspiracy. Kudos to the reader for making this an excellent "read".

pretty good...

I found this book to be quite interesting, as it is somewhat different from what I remember in history class. Sometimes after listening to a nonfiction, historically themed book, I'll go to the local bookstore and look at the book for photos, etc. I was surprised how much of the bood had been deleted in order to record this abridged version. Really wish I could have heard an unabridged version. Richard Thomas was OK as a narrator, but certainly not the best I've heard.

Booth Retold

In all the accounts I have seen on the history channel no account had in such detail described the details of J. Booths flight to the South. I also always assumed that John Surrat was in DC at the time of the assination. This is the first time that I have known that he was 20 miles from my home town. Richard Thomas did an excellent jobe of narration. I recommend this book to all those who value the History of Americas Civil War.

I enjoyed this book, BUT .....

Would you try another book from James L. Swanson and/or Richard Thomas?

Thomas, YES. Swanson, NO. Richard Thomas' narration was superb .... I often felt as though I were enjoying a play! Swanson's writing was good but at times, amateurish.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Most interesting:The character development of the conspirators Least interesting:The inadequate description of prison conditions at Old Arsenal Penitentiary.

Which scene was your favorite?

The pursuit of Booth.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes

Any additional comments?

I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT THIS BOOK had I known of Swanson's other book, The President Has Been Shot! In that work, Swanson totally ignores the astonishing plethora of evidence that clearly demonstrates conspiracy. The grassy knoll, the magic bullet, the president's violent head movement to the LEFT REAR (as shown in the Zapruder film) etc, etc. .... all salient factors indicating complicity and cover-up by the CIA, FBI, Warren Commission, et al. SEE AUDIBLE BOOK, They Killed Our President: 63 Facts That Prove A Conspiracy To Kill JFK. Apparently "historian" Swanson's JFK research did not go beyond the New York Times.

A Great Listen

James Swanson's Manhunt is brought to life by a very engaging performance by Richard Thomas. The story of the search for John Wilkes Booth is fascinating. There are previously unknown characters, to me anyway, that play pivotal roles and blind luck (both good and bad) shows up now and then.
But it's Thomas that really puts it near the top of my list of best audible books. He exudes excitement and enthusiasm without going too far.
Highly recommended.

Excellent Lincoln book!!

Manhunt was an amazing book! I have been a Lincoln devotee my entire life, and have many pre-1899 Lincoln books in my library, and several historical items in my collection. So does author James L. Swanson. The details in this book on the hunt for Lincoln’s assassin were incredible.
Richard Thomas as the reader was of course excellent. His voice lulled me into thinking I was back in time, listening to someone tell the story of John Wilkes Booth and his capture.
I recommend Manhunt, and the follow up book Bloody Crimes, also read by Richard Thomas.

terrific

What made the experience of listening to Manhunt the most enjoyable?

a wonderful history of the jwb manhunt. I was fascinated by the details and all that was going on during these 12 days. what an great education and delightful book to listen to

Narrative Brings It to Life

I just finished listening to the book and I could not stop listening to it. The narrative was compelling and I walked away feeling as if I had learned a great deal about the assassination and the assassin. I am not a Hsitory of Civil War person, but this piqued my interest. Though many questions were answered, new ones about the time period were raised for me. I definitely want to read more about this time period. Though the narrators voice was a bit quirky, the book was terrific.