From Goodreads:
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 twelve-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 and 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.
Format: Audible Audio
Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins
First Published: February 6, 2006 (hardcover, 448 pages)
Genre: History, Nonfiction, Civil War, True Crime, American History, Crime, Historical, Presidents, American Civil War
Once in a while, well, more often than that, I like to read nonfiction. I enjoy all kinds of topics related to history, so you can find me curled up somewhere listening to or reading these genres. I enjoy historical fiction, too, but there are times when I just want to read the facts as they were, and why they were.
Since girlhood, I’ve been interested in Abraham Lincoln. I’ve enjoyed many documentaries and books about his early life, his presidency, and his assassination. I’ve read a lot of books about John Wilkes Booth and the conspirators.
I would never say I thought I’d read or seen it all, but I did feel as if I had a good grasp on what happened and why.
I’ve also had a lot of questions regarding Booth.
Then, one of my sisters gave this book to my dad. He was absolutely absorbed and so, I knew I had to read it as well. He let me borrow it, but then I realized Audible had it and it was narrated by Richard Thomas. So, I ended up getting the audiobook instead.
Nine hours and six minutes never went so quickly!
I won’t reveal any spoilers by listing the details I didn’t know of the plot and capture of Booth, but I will just say that there were things in this book that made a lot of sense and made me look at certain aspects with a different eye.
I also won’t compare the book to the show in this post, but instead I might post something about that in the future.
↬ (The show is terrific as well and is streaming on Apple TV+.) ↫
Final Thoughts: This book combines the entertaining and the educational, and is full of facts! Did I mention it was exciting? It’s exciting!
I gave this 5/5 stars.
From Goodreads:
James Swanson is the Edgar Award-winning author of the New York Times bestseller Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer. Swanson has degrees in history from the University of Chicago, where he was a student of John Hope Franklin, and in law from the University of California, Los Angeles.
He has held a number of government and think-tank posts in Washington, D.C., including at the United States Department of Justice. Swanson serves on the advisory council of the Ford’s Theatre Society. Born on Lincoln’s birthday, he has studied and collected books, documents, photographs, art, and artifacts from Abraham Lincoln’s life—and death—since he was ten years old.
| Manhunt on Audible | Manhunt on Goodreads |
| Manhunt on Amazon | James Swanson on Goodreads |
Do you think this is something you’ll read? Have you been watching the show? I’d love to know your opinions about it!
↬ I have a question! 🙂 For those of you who found the first chapter of The Baldwins, did you get an email notification that it had been published? Inquiring minds want to know! 😂 ↫
Thank you so much for reading, liking, lurking, and commenting! You are important!
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Great post. ❣️
Thank you so much. It was a really good book. 🙂
Oh wow, what a thriller. Thanks so much for introducing us to this book KymberNoodle. I truly enjoyed your review and passion of such history. 💖 Like I said, you are a reading beast girlfriend! 😜📗📚📕😁
Kymber Thanks for sharing idea. Anita
Thank you, Anita!
The first I heard of this was the promotion for the show. Will have to watch for the chance to grab the book. Thanks for the review Kymber. Allan
I don’t read a lot of nonfiction, but this is something that interests me. Hubby is going out of town, so I always have a list of things to watch while he’s gone. This is getting added. Thanks, Kymber!
such a great review, Kymber… thanks for sharing 🤍
That sounds like a great book. The story about Abraham Lincoln’s murder and the hunt for Booth is certainly fascinating and this book seems great.
I really enjoyed your enthusiastic review! My family and I were also captivated by this audiobook. We listened to it on a road trip. I feel that history is full of exciting stories like this one.
This looks so incredibly interesting, will definitely check it out.
Adding this to my ‘books-I-want’ list, thanks for the tip!
I read a book about it a while back, so truthfully, I don’t think I would put this on my ‘must read’ list but I very much appreciate the review.
Manhunt had all the makings of a TV or film adaptation, even before historian James L. Swanson’s propulsive best-seller was published. I don’t read many crime books but I cannot resist a good crime show and my enthusiasm always soars when I stumble upon a good one. As I have not studied this chapter in American history, the series would be a brilliant lesson of what the country was going through at the time. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
I used to work at the National University Library on Ft McNair in Washington, DC. That was where the Lincoln conspirators were tried, found guilty, and hung. Mary Surratt was the first female to be hung by the federal government. To preserve her modesty as she was being hung, they tied a rope around her skirts to protect her modesty. She is still rumored to haunt the building where she was incarcerated and watched the gallows being constructed. The window glass fogs from her tears, the building makes strange noises, sightings are regular, and the electricity and electronics are wonky occasionally.
This book sounds interesting and important to read, Kymber. Most Americans don’t know much about our history, and this is vital to our future. Thank you for sharing your review.
Great post Kymber! I don’t know much about this event, they don’t teach much American History here in Canada… So thank you for the history lesson. 🌞
As for the email notification, I did get one notifying me of The Baldwins post but I read it through the reader. Does that help your inquiring mind?
That’s amazing. Now I’m 52 keep in mind and when I was in school, all we learned was American history. So very little Canadian was taught, I’m sitting here trying to remember what I did learn. I never understood at the time and wondered if we were that boring a country?! I’m glad it has changed.
I’ve seen several documentaries on the manhunt for Booth, but you do make this one compelling, Kymber. Clicking through…
Kymber,
Your dive into “Manhunt” captivated me with its blend of historical depth and narrative flair. These reflections not only enriched my understanding but also ignited a newfound curiosity about Lincoln, Booth, their pivotal moments in history and a desire to read the book. Thanks for sharing this thrilling journey through America’s past. About the show, we do not have Apple+.
You make it sound exciting and intriguing, and i love Richard Thomas, so for those reasons I might consider listening. However, audiobooks usually make me sleepy. You’re making it sound like this one won’t! So maybe!
What a captivating review Kymber! Your passion for history shines through, and your thorough exploration of the book’s content and its impact is commendable. Your enthusiasm for delving into the intricate details of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and the subsequent manhunt for John Wilkes Booth is truly inspiring. It’s evident that you have a keen interest in unraveling historical mysteries and gaining a deeper understanding of pivotal moments in American history. Your thoughtful analysis and genuine excitement about “Manhunt” make it an enticing recommendation for fellow history enthusiasts. Keep sharing your insights and experiences with books like these—it’s a pleasure to witness your enthusiasm for learning and discovery!