The Thackery Journal

By: John Holt

Narrated by: John J. Irwin

Length: 9 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's Summary

On the night of April 14th 1865, President Abraham Lincoln attended a performance at the Ford Theatre, in Washington. A single shot fired by John Wilkes Booth hit the President in the back of the head. He slumped to the floor, and died a few hours later without recovering consciousness. Was Booth a lone assassin? Or was he part of a wider conspiracy? A plot to replace Lincoln with General Ulysses S. Grant?

©2014 John Holt (P)2018 John Holt

A great story set in civil war era.

I really enjoyed the storyline and plot! the characters were well written and easy to visualise. The only part of this book that fell short for me was the narration. The narration was a bit dry and emotionless in my opinion, which is a pity soncecthe story was very well done. I would still reccomend it, especially to those with a love of history and the civil war era!

a civil war noval

the story was about the beginning of the war and The assassination of Abraham Lincoln. it told of greed, and pays off and treason. of government plotting the dead of president Lincoln . interesting account.

emotional and compelling

I love history and always have enjoyed it. Exploring possible conspiracy or collusion theories is interesting. No one knows for sure what went down, but it is fun to theorize possibilities. I fervently hope these theories are wrong, because just thinking of all the treachery to get rid of Abe made me ill and heart sick. Besides the murder of Abe, the destruction of friendships and family was what I found devastating. There are no winners. Everyone lost ideals, heart, soul, people, property and more. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did a good job.

Interesting historical drama

This is an interesting historical novel that takes place just before, during, and after the American Civil War. It lends the perspective of several different characters fighting on both sides of the war and creates some interesting circumstances that I enjoyed reading about. There is a lot more to it than the assassination of President Lincoln, which comes near the end of the book. I listened to the audio version, and it was okay, but I had some trouble distinguishing some of the characters when they were talking. All in all, I enjoyed the book, as I am a big fan of history, particularly the Civil War era.

We can never go home all is lost

I recommend this audible it is about a period in our country that spilt the country, friends, brothers and families. It is the journal of Captain Zachary a Confederate soldier and Captain Miles a southern who fought on the Unionside both friends from birth , both dislike slavery neither owned slaves but when the war came they fought for different sides and both saw betrayed, hatred, death of friends and love ones. Both lost everything that was at one time important they lost the love of each other because in heart and spirt they were brothers. Zachary lost his mother, his country and knew he never see home again due to would die, Miles lost also his friends and real brother killed in the war and most likely he was there as the Union commander but he was considered a traitor by his family and he also knew he could never go home because he had no home or family to go to. I have read both fictional and nonfiction on the Civil War and I have listen to all thev the talked today about the civil war both pro and con in a search today I found there was 18,000,000 soldiers who fought and died for what they thought was right. In listening to this audiobook you learn, feel what it was like to see your friends and love ones die in the war and after the war. For Miles he is there when Zachary committed suicide and that brotherhood could never be again. Yes the Union won but how many people who were southerners who fought for the Union and had no home to go back to or who watched as friends and family die. We may not like we see and alots want to destroy what remains of the Southern culture, memorials and history but I believe we need to honor both the Union and Confederate Soldiers equally they both fought and die for what they believed in a scour modern military does today.

Grabs your attention right from the beginning!

A poignant story of young, invincible men with thoughts of glory and honor for the South. It was April 1861 and they thought that this exciting adventure would all be over by Christmas. They find out that there ain't nothing good about a war! Well-written! I was right there with the people of that era! John J. Irwin did a great job bringing the characters to life. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Historical Drama at Its Finest

The Thackery Journal tells the story of how the Civil War affected everyone who got involved and those who got caught in the middle. The story outlined the sacrifices made by the ordinary people who became soldiers and fought in the war in support for their beliefs. I like how the story flowed and the unexpected twists and turns from beginning to end. It is not a happy-ending story, yet it helped me understand the importance of family and friendships especially so during a time of crisis - like a war. For those who like historical dramas, this book is highly recommended. Though it is not entirely a true-to-life story, some parts are based on actual events. Though there are historical characters, the main ones are fictional. John Holt wrote a book with scenarios that seem so real that they make you feel like being right there in the middle of the action. You will cry with those who had suffered and lost. You will get excited with new twists that could probably have happened but were never documented. And you will wonder what will happen next and would continue to listen with the hope that Jacob and Miles will meet each other again and be friends once more. John J Irwin, as the narrator is top-notch. His narration helped a lot in making this listening journey a memorable historical adventure for me.

Amazing!!!

This was absolutely amazing... The attention to details of the times, Military dates and positions were spot on! I have read many books about the Civil War and Lincoln's Assassination.. This was an interesting concept... and the conspiracies of the power players... I thoroughly enjoyed this book... The Narration was very good and the voice easily understood. (In fact, the voice sounds exactly like a good Friend of mine!) Kudos to the Author!!! I would love to hear more historical writings by Him. This book was provided free of charge in exchange for a fair review of the book.... Thank You!

Assassination

We are all aware of the drama of Booth's assassination of Lincoln following the Civil War, but unless one is a serious student thereof, a lot of the details are no more than outline points. This book is fiction and posits that one of the plotters kept a journal of his wartime activities. An engaging and rapidy-moving tale, extremely well-narrated by John J. Irwin.

Matched my expectations

I wasn't really sure about this book to begin with, I have to admit that the subject is not one that I find particularly interesting. I was worried that no matter how well it was written it wouldn't be able to draw me in. It was definitely a challenge to get through the beginning of the book but it didn't take long before the pace picked up. It was a little bit long for me overall I think I would have enjoyed it more if it were shorter. I did enjoy the book, I thought it was well written, the characters are well developed and interesting and there's enough action and storytelling mixed in with true events to make it both educational and entertaining. I did struggle to finish and I was relieved when it ended, that wasn't the fault of the book, that was my dis-interest with the American Civil War. The narrator to do a great job with the tone and pace of the delivery and the character voices were clear and easy to tell apart. I received a free copy of this book from the author and/or narrator and/or publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.

The best story teller !

John Holt have taught me so much, truly he can take any subject and make out of it an excellent story. History was the worst subject for me at school, if I got C- or even D I was happy. Today I know that it’s all about the teacher, if John Holt was my history teacher I would have brought home an A easily, he makes everything so interesting it’s amazing. Just from this one book I’ve learned so much about the American Civil War and enjoyed every moment of it. They say that every generation have a great story teller, well John Holt is this generation story teller easily ! John J. Irwin was an excellent choice for narrating this audiobook. Full heartedly recommend this audiobook for all. In exchange for an honest review I’ve received this audiobook.

As grains of sand through the fingers

A novel which sharply delineates the emotional horror and futility of war, especially a civil war which, by it's nature, separates friends and tears families apart. This is a fictional story but set in the very real period of the first half of 1860s - the American Civil War and the assassination of President Lincoln.
On the day that he signed up to join the Confederate army, Jacob Thackery decides to keep a journal (the one in the title) of those important times, and the book opens with his distraught and elderly father rereading it as he had done so many times before. Through shifts in time and place, Jacob's tale unfolds, from the earliest beliefs in the righteousness of the cause to the final dramatic finale. Side by side with Jacob's account is also that of his lifelong best friend, Miles, who takes a different path, enlisting on the Union side, believing that the South can never win. Their stories are well interwoven. The sense of actually being there is good and both of the two main protagonists are well drawn.

The book is simply written and easy to read. The short sentences give a feel of immediacy and conversation feels natural. The book's reading is ably executed by John J Irwin, whose slow and careful narration adds additional gravitas, his voicings of the characters distinct but not performed. Overall, a good presentation, if slightly too slow for this reader (who increased the playback speed slightly to 1.25).

As well as being a good listen, this book has a feeling of profound truths. War is terrible, and rarely is it noble, or a just cause. Instead, it leaves "shattered dreams and shattered lives." Although a fictional account, too, it had the resonance of an historical account, detailed and with dates included. But more than that, it is an emotionally charged and gently powerful read. My thanks to the author, John Holt, who gifted me a complimentary copy of his book. This review is given voluntarily and briefly expresses my true feelings about The Thackery Journal. Recommended

Conspiracy

I loved listening to John J Irwin. A tale of childhood friends, who end up frighting against each other in the American Civil War. A conspiracy theory. A great story.

Historical book

Good book based on the American Civil War was a very good read loved it

Interesting tale of the American Civil War

I don't know much about the American Civil War and I like historical tales, so that was my motivation for listening to this book. The fictional account gives an insight into the way the war might have been seen by both sides, how it affected friendships and families and a peek into the way those with power plotted to use others, double-cross and trick their way into more powerful positions. The storytelling style was not one that left me hanging on and excited by the tale, but overall it's a decent story. I was given a free copy of the audiobook for an honest review

The Thackery Journal

John Holt best book, in my opinion, good story, easy to follow as an audiobook and pretty good narration by John J. Irwin 4 ou of 5 book

Great read for Civil War enthusiasts

This is an interesting story. It begins with an excerpt from President Lincoln's Gettysburg address, which sets the mood for the remainder of the story. My knowledge about the politics surrounding the civil war is minimal, so I was interested in the facts as they came out. Either the author is knowledgeable or did great research on the subject. To be honest, I did not much care for the reader. His reading was slow and dry for my taste. However, the recording quality was good. I feel I may have enjoyed reading the book as opposed to listening to it. I recommend this story to anyone who is interested in Civil War stories, most specifically the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. **I was gifted a free copy of the audio and asked to leave an honest opinion.

A fair shot.

This wasn't for me I gave it fair shot. But couldn't finish it it isn't badly wrote or even poorly told. Just one of those audio book's you don't know if you're going to like it. So you give it a try. That's the good thing about everybody being different and having different views. What works for someone may not work for you. This won't stop me listening or trying different book's by this author.

The Thackery Journal

This is not my normal kind of book. I’m not a big history buff or really like war books either but have to say I enjoyed this one. This has a nice journey through the civil war as well as a conspiracy theory for Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Definitely worth the listen for most people.

The American Civil War and Lincoln's Assassination

The tale of two childhood friends who fight on opposite sides during the American Civil War. Plot and intrigue around Abraham Lincoln's assassination and a final page cliffhanger. This novel, very well narrated, has it all to keep the listener wanting more. I even learned some American history as a bonus.