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)

One of the best

This is truly one of the best books I've ever heard. A non-fiction history book that has you on the edge of your seat even though you know the ending. Fantastic.

Great Book

This is just a good book all around. A true story that reads like a murder mystery.

Interesting listen but not without flaws

I appreciated the narrator's enthusiasm and acting while reading. It made the story dramatic and entertaining.
However...the narrator did make mistakes while reading. When he quoted Stanton he said , "Now he belongs to the angels" instead of "ages". He also said the date of the conspirator's execution was July 17th instead of the 7th. A couple pages later he does say the correct date.
I didn't have the print in front of me so I'm not sure if he was reading a misprint in the book or he just misspoke.
Nevertheless, it's a bit distracting when you know the info isn't correct.
As for the book. It was a thrilling and suspenseful retelling of the historical details that an assassination buff as myself has heard over and over again.
The author did go into minut detail of the important events. The seconds before Booth pulled the trigger was stretched out to fill many pages. I suppose to build the anticipation in the reader and leave them at the edge of their seat.
I found it bizarre and disturbing that the author compared the murderer Booth to a Christ figure when it was Lincoln who the newspapers drew the similarities to. Both come up short to that comparison.
Booth was more a Brutus killing the tyrant Caesar and mistaking his deed as heroic, and that wasn't lost on Booth who even referred to himself as such.
I'm not sympathetic to the sociopathic Booth who gathered his men around him based on what advantages they offered him. He was over confident in his charms and knew he was able to talk his minions into carrying out his murderous wishes.
Perhaps a less cultic form of Charles Manson? I believe that there was brainwashing and high hopes of glory involved. Lewis Powell stated as much. Promised material wealth and societal fame in exchange for the lives of what the south deemed evil tyrants.
In the end it was all vanity and useless.

Manhunt

Excellent story
Having visited the Ford Theatre and Museum
The quality of research was excellent and woven into a good story form

What a surprise!!!

I took a little risk on this book and I am glad I did. The name James Wilkes Booth was about as interesting to me as a used toothbrush. What a depressing name, James Wilkes Booth. But I am very interested in history and one of the reviews such as this peaked my interest. I couldn't stop the ipod. This is a riveting chronology of the time and the chase. Attitudes, habits, and philosophies were discussed. The chase is a pageturner and I was intrigued by the man himself. There was a lot of fascinating parts of the conspiracy that I did not know about. If you like to learn about history with a gripping pageturner, this is the book.

outstanding!

if you are a fan of the civil war, Lincoln, or the tragic death of Abraham Lincoln, you must read this book! this is a wonderful accurate telling of a very specific, tragic time in history!

A History Buffs MUST!!

I enjoy historical books and this was a great one. You really got to feel what the characters were feeling and thinking. There was great detail thanks to the author's research on first hand accounts. I would reccomend to anyone who enjoys a great story let alone a true one!

The great hunt

It was a great book. I spent hours listing to it. The author did a great job, and the narration was perfect.

Fun to listen, great narrator

Very good story. The author made a good research on the topic and kept the story very fluid.
The narrator is excellent - he has a good voice and is very engaged.

Best History Book I've Ever Read!

Would you listen to Manhunt again? Why?

How the author manages to make this NON-Fiction seem like a fictional thriller is beyond me. I loved this book and would recommend it to any and everybody (even those who aren't into history!)