Chasing Lincoln's Killer
by James L. Swanson
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Book Reviews of Chasing Lincoln's Killer
Book Review: Makes the story of what some kids begrudgingly learn in their classrooms a fun and action-packed read
Summary: 5 Stars
Hot on the heels of the release of his New York Times bestselling true crime novel, MANHUNT, Abraham Lincoln aficionado James Swanson has penned a just-as-gripping young adult version of the 12-day hunt for the President's killer, John Wilkes Booth. Filled with pages of more than 70 sepia-toned photographs, newspaper clippings and miniature representations of other artifacts from the time period, this true-to-life page-turner makes the story of what some kids begrudgingly learn in their classrooms a fun and action-packed read.
The story --- of Abe Lincoln's death and Swanson's life --- begins on February 12th, the mutual birthday of the 16th President of the United States and, coincidentally, the author. On the day he turned 10, Swanson's grandmother gave him an engraving of the Deringer pistol John Wilkes Booth used to murder Lincoln, framed by a newspaper article published the day following the assassination. Swanson is now an expert on Lincoln's life, death and everything in between. He's a member of the advisory committee of the national Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and serves on the Board of the Ford Theatre Society.
Consequently, CHASING LINCOLN'S KILLER, Swanson's first book for young readers, has the mark of a story being told by someone who is truly geeked out by his subject. He practically stumbles over himself (to the assured delight of readers) to share each gritty detail about the days following the President's murder. He describes the actual deed in all its gruesome splendor --- Booth's insatiable thirst for blood, the bullet "ripping through [Lincoln's] chestnut-colored hair" and coming to rest behind the President's right eye amidst "wet brain matter," the smoke from the shot still hanging in the air. He follows that up with tales of that fateful day's other attempted murders --- that of Secretary of State William Seward and Vice President Johnson.
Swanson also does an excellent job filling in the story with gripping accounts of Booth's tumultuous but near-perfect escape, as well as highlighting each shady accomplice who helped him along his journey. There are moments throughout the story that seem slightly embellished, and others where Swanson might jump from event to event a little too quickly for some teachers' tastes (although students will disagree). But one might argue that it's a historian's prerogative to relay events in the way he deems suitable --- especially if the story in question is for readers with short attention spans.
With a glut of material out there about Lincoln's life, death and reign as President of the United States, some might ask, "Who needs yet another book out there about the subject?" But with the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth coming up --- and Swanson's own birthday, of course --- CHASING LINCOLN'S KILLER is a welcome addition to the pile.
--- Reviewed by Alexis Burling
Book Review: Chasing Lincoln's Killer
Summary: 3 Stars
Michael Ryan November 15, 2010
St. Catherine of Sienna 6th Grade ELA
Chasing Lincoln's Killer
By James Swanson
3 stars out of 5 stars
"A decent book"
I give this book 3 stars because it held my attention until the very end. I could not rate it higher because I think the author could have told the story in a more exciting style of writing. James Swanson reports the events before, during, and after Abraham Lincoln's assassination in a very unexciting way. He gives lots of facts and information from newspapers, reports, and documents. However, the information is written in a very plain way. Although I enjoyed learning about this event that took place in American history, I would have liked reading it from a more interesting book.
The days after Lincoln's death were tragic for everyone in the United States. For twelve days there was a hugh manhunt from Washington D.C. to fields in Maryland and Virginia. The assassin was hunted through forests, swamps, and rivers. It must have been incredible! However, this author did not make it seem very exciting. He simply gave the facts in a very terse way. I do admit that the newspaper articles that he includes are very interesting and facts like the cost of the paper (15 cents) and photographs from National Police Gazette (1865) were fun to read. I wanted more. I would have like a good story.
Overall, this book is a detailed example of historical fiction. It includes true characters and events of a very sad day in American history. The style of writing is accurate. It is full of information about the manhunt for Lincoln's killer in April of 1865. What it is missing is feeling. There is no emotion about Booth's terrible act. Chasing Lincoln's Killer is a book for historians who enjoy pure facts.
Book Review: Great way to get middle school kids interested in the history.
Summary: 5 Stars
Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson (the younger readers version of his original book, Manhunt- the 12 day chase for Lincoln's Killer), is the behind the scenes story about the occurrences that went along with the President's planned assassination. I feel that this book is a fantastic way to introduce the younger generations and middle school U.S. History students to the famous President's fateful end. This book gave the reader all the information learned in school and then turned it up a notch and described some situations they did not learn. I enjoyed this book, could not put it down. I never knew that the original plan was to kidnap the President and hold him hostage to make a point. I also did not know that there were others that were supposed to be murdered that day.
Chasing Lincoln's Killer begins with a depressed John Wilkes Booth. With an earlier plan to kidnap the President, take him to Richmond and hold him hostage, the young John Wilkes Booth seals his own fate. Then suddenly his day morbidly brightens by the news that the 16th president of the United States, they man he despises, is headed to the very theater that he so lovingly inhabited as an actor.
Swanson does a great job keeping the interest of the reader with story lines, chilling pictures and historical information throughout the book. I enjoyed learning more about the President's death and the attempted deaths of Secretary of State William H. Seaward and Vice President Andrew Johnson. I do not remember learning about these two other gentleman, who would also be targeted by Booth's henchmen the evening of April 14, 1865.
Book Review: A great historic read
Summary: 4 Stars
I very much enjoyed reading this book, and would enjoy reading it again. This book tells you every thing there is to know about John Wilkes Booth before the event, during, and the 12 day manhunt ending at the Garrets farm. Plus all of his accomplices. The book starts off with J. Wilkes Booth, and the day he found out the the hated "tyrant" was watching a American commedy. Booth set the entire night off that mourning, by order three of his most trusted friend to murder the Vice President, Andrew Johnson and Secertary of state Seward to both be murdered. But olnly Booth would succede, in the death of Abraham Lincoln. This book thereoly describes how Booth planned to escape, by meeting up with a man who had very good skills in the wild. The two left Washington and came to a doctor to treat Booth's injured leg. The doctor was Dr. Samuel Mudd, who housed the two and sent them on their way in the mourning. tHey then met up with General Cox, who also helped them and sent them to Thomas Jones. Their, they stated hidden behind the town in the woods for several days, until one nightfall came, they crossed over to Virginia. Their, they took refuge at the Stuarts, who showed very much Southern hospitality. Then, they continued on to the Garret's house, were they got less hospitality and slept in the tobacco farm. That night, Both and Herold were ratted out and the barn was burned down. But it was a sergant that shot Booth, who died hours later. After a 12 day manhunt, Lincolns killed was brought to justice. Overal I very much enjoyed this book, would like it to be a little longer.Book Review: Great Reading for the Young (and older) Reader
Summary: 5 Stars
Author James Swanson, author of the bestseller Manhunt, has come up with a unique idea in writing a junior version of the same book for young readers regarding the hunt for John Wilkes Booth, murderer of President Abraham Lincoln. This book should be riveting reading for the young reader who may tend to find American history boring. History is about people, and people are always an interesting subject. Swanson skillfully brings out the personalities of the individuals involved in the story along with the frustrations that Booth and co-conspirator David Herold experienced on their flight to freedom. Sepia-colored photos of the principle characters also are provided along with a map of the route traveled in the back of the book. I used a folder I recently purchased at Ford's Theatre of Booth's escape route that proved to be invaluable to me. I would hope that other authors would pick up on Swanson's idea of writing exciting history geared down to the interests level of middle school and even younger students. Swanson's young niece provided suggestions as to what vocabulary words would be more appropriate to young readers. I have read Manhunt and thoroughly enjoyed it, and this young people's version provided me with a quick review of the this infamous incident in American history.