Chasing Lincoln's Killer

By: James L. Swanson

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 3 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's Summary

This fast-paced thriller tells the story of the pursuit and capture of John Wilkes Booth and gives a day-by-day account of the wild chase to find this killer and his accomplices. Based on James L. Swanson's best-selling adult book Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, this version, written especially for young people, is a fascinating look at the assassination of the 16th president of the United States.

But there's more to the story. Here, listeners will meet Abraham Lincoln the man, the father, the husband, the friend. And they will get a firsthand sense of t how Lincoln's death impacted those closest to him.

©2009 James L. Swanson (P)2009 Scholastic Inc.

Superb in Every Way

Any additional comments?

Perfect story, perfectly told! Will Patton's voice was inflected with a slight southern accent, perfect for this story of John Wilkes Booth; his pace matched the pace of Boothe's
plan, execution and escape; his passion matched the emotions of those who grieved for
Lincoln's death, and was emphatic or quizzical at just the right time.

The story was just the right length for someone who wants just enough detail to understand, but not so much so as to get lost in it.

The most remarkable parts for me were learning how mixed was Lincoln's popularity, how much he tried to mend the rent between the South's need for autonomy and choice and the nation's need for unity and respect for the differing values. I don't remember clearly just how the Missouri Compromise got messed up, because an agreement in Congress actually had been reached, which was fairly satisfactory to all, but in the debate between Douglas and Lincoln, an idea got twisted, which eventually enraged the South.

Desiring to kill someone as a solution to your need for ........... is an understandable feeling, but as a deed, almost never gives satisfaction, nor solves the real problem. It creates so much more destruction and devastation in many people's lives it astounds me.

I want to find an audio book as good as this one about the reconstruction, and wish you
as much satisfaction in listening to this one as important in this period of history.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great Audiobook

This was really good - Will Patton is great! He is able to make the listener feel the agony and frustrations of the `chase` and by the end of the audiobook you want to reach out and get the `bad guys` yourself. This is a sign of really great narrator.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great History Lesson

Any additional comments?

We listened to this on the way back from Washington, DC. It was great to get details on the places we had just seen. Plus it was fascinating to learn details about the assignation that I didn't learn in school!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Thrilling

My son, who is 9 and really into American History, loved it. Going to DC and will stop by Ford Theater to look at artifacts.

GREAT

amazing
.... no words.....
just utterly Amazing in all ways to all of us readers.

Informative, yet gripping!

The skillfully woven details of Lincoln's assassination open the reader's eyes to the various perspectives of all who were involved in the conspiracy & 12 day manhunt.

Fascinating!

The first time I read/listened to this book was in my classroom. I found it quite fascinating & learned things I did t know before. Highly recommend it!

Very Specific book on Lincoln's Assassinator

What did you love best about Chasing Lincoln's Killer?

I read this book for my language class and I liked it a lot. The book is very detailed with Booth's escape journey and lots of interesting facts too. A great book to read for history on how Lincoln died and how Booth's escape journey went.

What did you like best about this story?

It give you lots of facts and making the story interesting.

Have you listened to any of Will Patton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Nope. This is the first one!

Great book

I expected it to be boring but it was exciting and I enjoyed it surprisingly. I recommend this book not just because it is required for school to read

Overdramatic

I really disliked the narration--it became melodramatic at times. If the prose isn't compelling enough, overacting won't help. Understanding the roles played by the aiders and abettors was interesting, but the main events were mostly a rehash. I would have liked to have heard a lot more about the trial.