The book Stealing Lincoln’s Body begins with the aftermath of the shooting at Ford Theatre. It describes the the final moments of President Lincoln’s life and those who surrounded him. This is also where the quote that became Lincoln’s epitaph was spoken: “Now he belongs to the ages” (Craughwell 2). From there the book goes on to discuss what happened to Lincoln’s body after his death from the autopsy to his burial. The most important part of the book begins later though. It starts the night of the 1876 Presidential election. That night a gang of counterfeiters decided that they were going to steal the body of President Lincoln and hold it for ransom. The ransom that the men were asking for was $200,000. Their plan was to take Lincoln’s body …show more content…
A member of their gang was held in the Joliet penitentiary and they wanted the Governor of Illinois to let him out. Their reason for failing? One of the men in on the plot was actually an informant and worked with the Secret Service to catch the men in the act of stealing the body. The men that were involved in the heist were Big Jim Kennally and his henchmen Terrance Mullen and John Hughes. They were helped by engravers Benjamin Boyd and Nelson Driggs. All of the men were Irish immigrants, mostly living in the city of Chicago. The man that was chasing them? Secret service detective Patrick D. Tyrell. The reasoning for the grave robbing was that Benjamin Boyd was sentenced to ten years in the state penitentiary in Illinois. Kennally decided to use Mullen and Hughes to pressure the governor to release Boyd. They decided that they would steal the body of Abraham Lincoln and use it to get a ransom and a pardon for Boyd. Some of the ideas touched on in the book were the introduction and expansion of counterfeiting, the plan that was laid out to steal the body, and how the body of Abraham Lincoln finally became safe and secure in its final resting …show more content…
Croughwell used most of the book to give a history of what was going on during the time in America to help explain why the men decided to do what they did. The only problem with this was that Croughwell touched on so many different subjects and tried to connect them to the main idea of the attempted theft of the body. This book did not have something that it was arguing, so it did not have any conclusions that it needed to state or prove. This book was more informational and more a story to be told, instead of being a point to argue. But Craughwell did do a great job of contributing to the history of the Civil War. Craughwell talked about a part of Civil War history that I had never heard before and it shed some light on what life was like for those who were not off fighting in the
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.
“ Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer”, was written by James L. Swanson, a dedicated Lincoln scholar and attorney. He details in his book the incredible escape of John Wilkes Booth’s from authorities, with immaculate descriptions of little-known facts in the case of Lincoln’s Killer. Swanson’s nonfiction book dives into actual pieces of literature written at the time of Lincoln’s assassination by individuals who actually took part in the real-life drama, including John Wilkes Booth himself.April 14, 1865 is a day of infamy in United States history,it is the day that John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln. Swanson delves deep into the minds of Booth and his accomplices , analyzing their every move. Booth flees the scene of the crime with Davey Herold, who has been a willing participant in Booth's secret plots to kill Secretary of State William Seward, Abraham Lincoln, and Vice President Andrew Johnson.
The book takes you day by day through John Wilkes Booth escape after killing Abraham Lincoln. Throughout the book Booth seems to get away with a lot. Many people help him throughout his journey of escaping without knowing what he has done.
In Chasing Lincoln’s Killer, by James L. Swanson, the main characters were; John Wilkes Booth, Dr. Leale, Abraham Lincoln (even though he dies.) When John Wilkes Booth (a.k.a Booth) found out that the North had won the Civil War, he felt anger and disgust but he could do nothing. Booth had one plot that the book talked about and that was to kidnap the president and sell him to the leaders of the South but that plot never got put into action. When booth went to Ford's theatre got a letter, Booth worked at the theatre, the letter that said that the President of the United states would be visiting ford's theatre quickly he put a plot into works. First he went to get accomplices and they too would kill someone that night. When the time had come to Booth snuck into the President’s box, not even noticed he pulled out a gun and shot a bullet into the left side and under the left ear of the President's head. That didn’t kill the President, yet. When Booth tried to leave he was stopped by General Henry Rathbone, they had a knife fight while trying to stop both of them from leaving, although Booth got away jumping from the President's box and onto the stage shouting "Sic Semper Tyrannis" (Chasing Lincoln's Killer, by James L. Swanson.)
The mystery of how John Wilkes Booth pulled off the most influential and notorious assassinations in history is revealed in Killing Lincoln. The author of this book, Bill O’Reilly, built up the plot of the story through vivid historical details and pieced them together like a thriller. He tries to explain all of what happened on one of the most interesting and sad days in American history. Many conspiracies and Civil War ideals are on full display in the book. I agree with most of O’Reilly’s ideas but there are some that I am not really sure about because of his point of view like many of the conspiracy theories. Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly was a very compelling read which described the Civil War, lives of the conspirators, and the eventual assassination of the sixteenth president of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln.
In all, I was captivated and moved by the story. Though this really did not change my interest in history, I really did enjoy reading it and would really recommend it to anyone who wants to get a total grasp of how horrible slavery was. Stephen Oates has a way of writing that transforms the reader into the actual rebellion and allows one to see and feel the circumstances of Nat Turner's insurrection and the consequences of it to the South. I can tell that Oates performed rigorous study to present an accurate portrayal of Nat Turners' story. His many insights and uses of secondary sources were quite evident and his use of examples and storytelling is quite impressive. Though it seems as if he leaves little to the imagination, I couldn't help but think of what and could have happened if some of the events leading up to the capture of Nat Turner had been changed.
Once a great leader of the United States, transcending past those before and after his time in office, the sixteenth in line of some of the world’s finest, Abraham Lincoln is a man whom people look up to and aspire to become. His face is printed on every penny and five dollar bill that circulates throughout this nation and the world. Honest Abe, as he is known by some for his great deeds of chivalry while managing a country store. Once he noticed he had taken too much change from a woman earlier in the day and instead of just pocketing the extra he closed the store and walked a great length to return the amount (Brooks). His bearded physique is one to be imprinted upon every Americans’ mind bringing thoughts of patriotism and freedom. Lincoln, in pictures is noticed to have an exceptionally long nose. At least that is how the proboscis of a sniffer on his face is portrayed in one such Snickers advertisement. Yes, Honest Abe, in order to bring business has been altered to have a nose resembling that of Pinocchio’s. This elongated snout does serve a purpose along with clever techniques that Snickers uses to attract its audience, alluring them to purchase their product. This advertisement upon analysis registers several effective strategies with the use of pathos, kairos, and the appearance and layout.
This type of novel is recommended for anyone interested in the Civil War. Not too many books explore the southern battles, especially from a Confederates soldier’s point of view. Bahr does an excellent job at capturing the essence of the Civil War and its affects on the people involved. The novel was nominated for several awards, earning the Harold D. Vursell Memorial Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, Gettysburg College, won the Book-of-the-Month Club, and was a New York Times Notable Book. The book showed some popularity and sold 10,000 copies, but was heavily overshadowed by another...
Lincoln's use of executive authority during the civil war is many times illegal and unjust; although his issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation may seem justified, Lincoln blatantly abused his power regarding civil rights. He did things like institute an unfair draft, suspend Constitutional rights, allocate military spending without Congress, and institute emancipation. Although some may justify these actions, they stomped on the Constitution.
It was said that this novel “led to the civil war”, or “the straw that broke the camel’s back”. After one year, 300,000 copies were sold in the U.S., and over 1 million were sold in Britain. The abolition movement continued to grow, choking the south until they couldn’t breathe. Radical abolitionists begin to lead slave revolts. Slave’s rebel and escape towards the north.
Major Characters: Jefferson, black boy who is accused of a crime and sentenced to death; Grant Wiggons, teacher sent to help Jefferson.
Have you ever wanted something really bad? Like maybe a new toy or a higher job position? Imagine getting that thing you wanted most after working so hard for it and then losing it right after. It must be the worst feeling ever. Now put yourself in Abraham Lincoln’s shoes. You’ve just been inaugurated as president and days later you unfortunately get assassinated. President Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865 in Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. (Abraham Lincoln’s Assassination). Abraham Lincoln’s assassination was an untimely event that slowed down the process of reconstruction after the Civil War (Effect of Lincoln Death on Reconstruction). The assassination increased the north’s hate towards the south (The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln pg.51). With Lincoln dead, there was no one to control the Radical Republicans who wanted to punish the south (Effect of Lincoln Death on Reconstruction). When Lincoln died he was replaced by President Andrew Johnson who had a bad relationship with the Congressmen (Effect of Lincoln Death on Reconstruction).
The story starts off by Jefferson being accused of a crime that he did not commit, he was forced into being with the criminals and was the only person in the store who was not shot and killed. Jefferson, being an African American, was discriminated against by the jury and was sent to jail. “The judge commended the twelve white men for reaching a quick and just verdict”(Gaines 8). This is one of the first events to take place in the novel revealing quickly that the story is taking place in a time of racism. Jefferson was sentenced to death by electrocution, not only causing depression in Jefferson and his family, but also causing many internal conflicts in Jefferson and Grant.
Lincoln’s Grave Robbers is a book by Steve Sheinkin published in 2012. This book talks about the attempted theft of the body of the 16th President of the United States Abraham Lincoln. Back in 1880s just 15 years after the Civil War ended and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. After he was killed he when on a month long train ride to Springfield, Illinois. They would stop in every town that they passed most of them having funerals at the train station. Later a monument was built in Springfield by The Lincoln Memorial Association and Robert Lincoln his oldest son.
The movie Lincoln focuses on the four months of Abraham Lincoln's life before his death. Lincoln starts in January 1865. In the movie, Lincoln is afraid the Emancipation Proclamation will be denied by Congress once the Civil War ends. Lincoln also fears the Thirteenth Amendment will not be passed once the southern states are reunited with the northern states. The Thirteenth Amendment concerns the freeing of slaves. Lincoln has to get some Democrats on board with the Thirteenth Amendment if Lincoln wants the Thirteen Amendment passed. Since the Civil War is projected to end in less than a month, Lincoln had to get to work. Lincoln's advisers advise him to wait until the new Congress is in place. However, Lincoln is firm in his belief of the Thirteenth Amendment needing to be passed immediately. Lincoln goes to the head Republican, Francis Preston Blair, to use Blair's influence to get all the Republican vote. Blair tells Lincoln that in order for Blair to endorse the Thirteenth Amendment, Blair must go and seek peace with the South. Blair's request is frustrating to Lincoln, as the Radical Republicans Lincoln got votes from are extremely against a negotiated peace that allows slavery. However, Lincoln needs Blair's vote, so Lincoln allows Blair to go make peace with the Confederates. Next, Lincoln focuses on the “lame duck” Democrats' vote. Lincoln believes since the Democrats lost the re-election, the Democrats will not be aiming to please the public and will vote the way they so choose. Lincoln cannot give the Democrats bribes, so Lincoln has individuals go and discreetly offer the Democrats federal jobs in return for their vote.