Killing Lincoln

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 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, D.C., 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 page-turning action, Killing Lincoln is history that reads 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)

History Made Interesting

What did you love best about Killing Lincoln?

I learned some aspects about the Lincoln assassination which were previously unknow to me.

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

The part I found most memorable was learning that Lincoln was supposed to have a bodyguard controlling egress to his booth at the Ford Theater and this duffus ended up taking off to indulge in some drinks at the bar next door. If he'd stayed at his post and resisted Booth's undeterred entrance to Lincoln's booth, the whole assassination attempt would have probably been foiled and the subsequent history would have taken a whole different path. That this clown went unpunished while all the southern conspirators ended up with a bullet through the throat or at the end of a rope (even Mary Surrott) makes one recognize that the idoicies of our current era are not necessarily any more ridiculous than the ones of 137 years ago.

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

I've been a fan of Bill O'Reilly on Fox News'

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

The fact that Linocln hung on as long as he did, and died the next day made his ultimate demise seem all the more moving.

Any additional comments?

Access to this audio book was a Christmas gift from my son. I've enjoyed having the opportunity to hear this particular book read by one of my favorite TV news commentators, so I want to thank my son for his generosity.

22 of 24 people found this review helpful

Bill O'Reilly Nailed this one

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

Yes

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

The whole book. I thought I knew a lot about history but I learned something at almost every turn of the story!

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

No. But I will now.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The rest of the story.

Any additional comments?

Bill did a great job of reading this!

14 of 15 people found this review helpful

Nothing New Here

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Although reasonably well written, there was nothing new or unique about the President, his assination, or events surrounding it. He included a lot of "filler" in the form of details of the final battles and events surrounding Lee's capitulation.
O'Reilly narrated. Although he reads well, his mispronunciation of technical words was annoying. Most annoying was saying calvary when he should have said, cavalry. He's paid way to much to not know the difference.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Miracle in the Andes

What three words best describe Bill O'Reilly’s voice?

Pleasant, well-modulated, appealing

What character would you cut from Killing Lincoln?

The somewhat irrelevant details of the ending of the civil war.

Any additional comments?

Many authors make the mistake of thinking they are good narrators. O'Reilly is one of those.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

New insite on the pre & post Lincoln assassination

What did you love best about Killing Lincoln?

Day to day events

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

Capture of the assassins

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

No

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Timeline of Terror

Any additional comments?

Want to read more about Lincoln now

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

History buff absolutely recommends Killing Lincoln

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

Yes and I have. For history fans it is seldom we get an accurate book that reads like a novel. There are some points of conjecture, rather than detract, they make the book better.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Not applicable, rather, the character development of the historical figures was extremely well done. I learned something about each of them I did not know before.

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

Whenever the author reads his/her own book they provide emphasis where they intended it; if you will, O'Reilly adds depth to the book.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

You thought you knew John Wilkes Booth?

Any additional comments?

Audible should figure out how to make the pictures from texts and non-fiction available to its listeners.

11 of 12 people found this review helpful

Not as good as I expected

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

Don't get me wrong. I love Bill O'Reilly as a comentator, but as the narrator of this book, he is a poor choice. Listening to him is like listening to his broadcasts: strident declarative sentences, sardonic tone, and inappropriate inflections. His narrative voice has a sharp edge that in my opinion detracted from the storytelling. And call me picky, but I grew increasingly irritated every time he mispronounced CAV-alry as CAL-very. It's a war story -- that word came up a LOT!

In short, Bill should stick to broadcasting.

Any additional comments?

This story was introduced in the prologue as a thriller, but I really didn't find it thrilling at all. Interesting, yes, but nowhere near what it has been built up to be. This was not the best choice I've made at Audible. And I won't try "Killing Kennedy" because of my disappointment with this book.

16 of 18 people found this review helpful

Fascinating story of a man ahead of his time

What did you love best about Killing Lincoln?

Surprisingly Bill O'Reilly's enthusiasm for his text. One got a sense of tragedy for all the characters that were involved in this extremely brutal and messy affair. Difficult to envisage the brutality of the world at this time without such biographies or to understand the primitive nature of both politics and medicine. These conspiracies continue but one really hopes we have more consideration for mankind (which involves both the good and the bad in this a story). Then there was Kennedy. They did a better detective job with Lincoln's Assassination than his.

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

The moment of assassination and the wind up of what happened to everyone.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Nothing. Maybe a bit journalistic but despite this he kept me enthralled by the evolving story - as a BRIT (in NZ) - much of which I did not know.

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

If only.... but it was one I could not wait to get back to.

Any additional comments?

No, a great read. Worth every cent (penny!).

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

A great history lesson!

Where does Killing Lincoln rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

My first audible book

Who was your favorite character and why?

the whole conspiracy group

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

His ability to emphasize with emotion and yet narrate the truth

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

no, just very interested in the history and bringing the characters to life

Any additional comments?

Teach me more history Bill!

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

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!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Decent Book - Bad Narration

Any additional comments?

O'Reilly's "Killing Kennedy" was really good. This book was enjoyable but not as good.

Unfortunately, O'Reilly became very annoying by using the word "cavalry" hundreds of times, but pronouncing it "calvary" every time. There were a few other quirks—like saying "century" when he meant "sentry" or mispronouncing "pandemonium"—but the confusion of Golgatha with a horse soldier happened every few seconds for the first two and a half hours of the book and became grating—like a person who says "nook-cyoo-ler" and then manages to use it in every sentence.

27 of 32 people found this review helpful

my favourite one so far

great book and it's read well. Love the history and very informative. money well spent

review

good story and the teller slso put in some effort. plot was quite enthralling. overall recommended.

Bringing it to life.

Not sure how much of the story is fiction but written in a style which always keeps you engaged.

A bit disappointing

I got this title in to get some background anticipation of watching the Day-Lewis movie. It was rather disappointing though, certainly in the earliest parts of the book where a great deal of time seems to be spent discussing closing battles of the Civil War which are of tangential relevance at best to the assassination. The author also seems to have had unique access to Wilkes Booth's unexpressed thoughts - we are frequently told what the assassin was thinking or feeling without any obvious source material. The actual story of the assassination is reasonably well told but I suspect that there are better books out there.