"Killing Lincoln" By Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

 








I read "Killing Lincoln" by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard.  Historical narrative is a new genre of choice for me, but I thought I'd have a go at it; for which I'm glad.

The in depth way for which O'Reilly portrays Lincoln is amazing.  Lincoln is 35 pounds under weight during presidency.  Barely do we understand (as people not in office) the extremes of the political world and the tole for which one partakes in presidency or otherwise. Fun fact that I found out is that most presidents go through carpal-tunnel- like symptoms after shaking the multitudes of hands during campaigning. 

I found that the narrative goes in depth into the actual battle scenes, whether its factual or not is something to be questioned.  But a funny suggestion is to listen to the audio version of the narrative and the way O'Reilly pronounces the word "Cavalry",  which he pronounces as "Calvary" like Mount Calvary.

Thinking back to the days in history class, little does history suggest Booth's background and his premeditation into Lincoln's death.  Book makes plans to kill Lincoln in a theatre, this we know.  But do we know about the confederate secret service's involvement in this plot, or Secretary of War-Stanton's involvement?  Stanton who opposed Lincoln could manipulate the process of election after Lincoln and the Vice President died, leaving Stanton as an option for presidency.  Also some small facts associated with the white house include that it wasn't heavily guarded during Lincoln's presidency.  In fact, there was no gate or fence guarding the white house, and even lobbyists were allowed to sleep on the first floor of the white house.