One Sentence Summary
Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever by Bill O’Reilly is a thrilling account of the events leading up to, and consequences of, the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.
Book Genre
Non-Fiction, Historical, True Crime
Main Topic of the Book
Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever is an account of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth, and the events and consequences that followed.
Key Ideas
- President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination – the events leading up to his assassination, the assassination itself, and the efforts taken to track down John Wilkes Booth
- Consequences of Lincoln’s Assassination – impact of the event on the nation, popular and political changes, and its place in history
Main Parts of the Book & Short Summary
- A Prelude to Murder – Examines the Confederate loss in the Civil War, Booth’s grievances and his plan to kidnap Lincoln
- Shocking Murder of a Hero – Describes the assassination of President Lincoln including the scene of the assassination, Booth’s escape, Mary Todd Lincoln’s grief
- Manhunt – Explains the nationwide search for Booth and his supporters, efforts to apprehend them, their trial and subsequent executions
- Lincoln’s Legacy Lives On – Reflects on Lincoln’s lasting legacy, his enduring popularity, and the changes that followed his death
Key Takeaways
- The assassination of President Abraham Lincoln had an immense and far-reaching impact on the nation and its people
- The events leading up to the assassination, the assassination itself, the manhunt, and the consequences of the assassination are discussed in detail
- Bill O’Reilly captures the drama of the tragic event, giving readers an understanding of the lasting impact of Lincoln’s death on the nation
Author’s Background and Qualifications
Bill O’Reilly is a renowned journalist, author, political commentator, and former broadcaster with Fox News. He is the bestselling author of numerous books including Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever as well as eleven other books in the Killing Series.
Target Audience
Historical and true crime enthusiasts, history buffs, and people interested in learning more about the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln
Publisher & First Publication Date
Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever was published by Henry Holt and Company, LLC on September 27, 2011.