The Assassination of Lincoln: History and Myth

by Lloyd Lewis, Mark E. Neely Jr. (Introduction)

The Civil War officially ended at Appomattox soon after President Lincoln’s second inauguration. During his first term he had been widely viewed by special-interest groups as a good-natured, indecisive bungler, and worse. In the South he was still despised, and many in the North, especially the radicals in the Republican party, distrusted and derided his leniency toward the vanquished. On the evening of April 14, 1865, an assassin’s bullet irrevocably altered the way Abraham Lincoln would be viewed by Americans. In life a cunning politician, Lincoln became in death a selfless martyr. Lloyd Lewis explicates the mythology that evolved out of Lincoln’s death, the outpouring of national grief, the pursuit of John Wilkes booth and the conspirators, booth’s fate, and the frequent moving and reburial of Lincoln’s coffin.

Genres: History, Civil War, Presidents, Civil War History

367 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1929

About the author

Lloyd Downs Lewis was a journalist, historian, and major figure in a remarkable world of arts and letters that flourished in Chicago following World War I.

Encyclopedia of Chicago

Reviews

[Scott Breslove · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I picked this up I didn’t realize it was pretty much a reprint of an early 1900’s book, which isn’t bad, but I wasn’t expecting the style and it threw me off a bit. It was interesting getting a more timely point of view rather than a book published recently but again, it wasn’t what I was expecting, which is not to say it was bad. The pacing was pretty slow at the beginning, picked up closer to the actually assassination and then slowed down a bit again at the end. Definitely interesting to hear the prevailing theories and myths of the times though. It’ll go on the shelf, but I’m not so sure I’ll pick it up again.

[Dick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published in 1929 and basically provided the facts as known at the time. Some additional facts since then have under girded this book. Though reference was made to possible Confederate government involvement. I did not and still do not believe the Confederate government was involved though some members of the government may have aided and abetted it. Jefferson Davis for sure - in my view - did not endorse any such act. Just not his style - though he was a traitor to our country in my view.

[CameronS · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is really good. It explains the events very well and its very interesting and this book makes me want to read it again. I really like Abraham Lincoln and how he stopped slavery and his history on how he died. I think John Wilkes Booth died in the barn.