Analyzing Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson

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Recommended: Abraham Lincoln assassination plot

Book Assignment 1: Chasing Lincoln’s Killer The book Chasing Lincoln’s Killer is about the world famous story of assassinating President Abraham Lincoln. This book takes the reader into the lives and minds of the four main conspirators responsible for the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the attempted assassination of the Vice President, Andrew Johnson , and the Secretary of State, William H. Seaward. Not only will the reader learn about the details of the planned assassinations but the background of all conspirators involved, each one of their motives for committing the crimes, and all the differences between the actual killings and what was supposed to happen if everything went according to plan. In this gripping novel the writer, James Swanson, takes the reader through a key point in American history in order to learn the truth of what must have happened while chasing Lincoln’s killer. Shortly after the Civil war had ended and the confederate capital Richmond had fallen, the well known actor John Wilkes Booth decided to kill the President, and with the help of some friends the Vice President and Secretary of State as well. The man George Atzerodt was given the job of killing the Vice President. His plan was to book a room in the same hotel and Vice President Johnson but when the morning of the day he was supposed to commit the assassination came he backed out and could not carry through with the murder. Two other men, Lewis Powell and David Herold, were assigned to kill the Secretary of State William H. Seaward. Powell attempted to shoot him with a revolver but after a misfire attempted to stab Seaward unsuccessfully because of a jaw splint Seaward had on. After the failed assassination Powell and Herold split up. Po... ... middle of paper ... ...ulti-state getaway even with minimal geographic knowledge. In conclusion, this is a great book to read. All of the characters and what they say comes from original sources such as manuscripts or trial documents meaning that this book has just about the most accurate information possible. The good part of having the information written in a simple way makes it easier for the reader to understand what actually happened instead of getting confused from complicated dialogue or complex timelines that leave room for misinterpretation. There is also a book written before this by the same author, James Swanson, that goes into more detail about the chase after the assassination, Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer. Having another book acting essentially as a sequel to this one allows the reader to further explore the details of assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

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