Chasing Lincoln's Killer Read Free Books and Download eBooks
NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author James Swanson delivers a riveting account of the chase for Abraham Lincoln's assassin.Based on rare archival material, obscure trial manuscripts, and interviews with relatives of the conspirators and the manhunters, CHASING LINCOLN'S KILLER is a fast-paced thriller about the pursuit and capture of John Wilkes Booth: a wild twelve-day chase through the streets of Washington, D.C., across the swamps of Maryland, and into the forests of Virginia.
Lexile Measure: 980L (What's this?)
Hardcover: 208 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1 edition (February 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0545204704
ISBN-13: 978-0439903547
ASIN: 0439903548
Product Dimensions: 1 x 6 x 8.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (286 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #8,259 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #1 in Books > Teens > Education & Reference > History > United States > 19th Century #2 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > History > United States > 1800s #4 in Books > Teens > Biographies > Historical
Age Range: 12 and up
Grade Level: 7 and up
If any historical account for youth should get six stars, it is *Chasing Lincoln's Killer* by James Swanson. Written for ages 12 and up, this book moves at a quick pace and is chock-full of details that I had never seen before, my introduction to the subject having been a *You Are There* account of John Wilkes Booth by Walter Cronkite in the 1950s. Teachers, students, and homeschoolers will find this a valuable illustrated resource. Swanson has done a great job of making this historical account read like a novel. It includes dialogue, but all words and sentences in quotation marks are the actual words of eyewitnesses and participants whose works served as primary sources for this book. Atmosphere is included, but only that which would be apparent to a writer who put himself into the scene to imagine it. For example, the smells inside Surratt's tavern are listed as "wax, candles, oil lamps, tobacco, burning stove wood, whiskey, dirty clothes, and leather boots"--realistic details that help readers to place themselves in the company of the fleeing Booth and co-conspirator David Herold. Another plus is that Swanson does not take cheap shots at Mary Todd Lincoln or Boston Corbett, whose personal quirks are often used as grist for writers about Lincoln. Published by Scholastic Press, the book has ancillaries including a reading group activity guide, an educational poster, and downloadable activities on the publisher's web site. This book will grab the attention of any reader and spark interest in this great historical event. I myself am motivated now to read Swanson's New York Times bestseller, *Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer* on which *Chasing Lincoln's Killer* is based.
"Chasing Lincoln's Killer" is an adaptation of James L. Swanson's book "Manhunt" for young adults. Although I am far from a young adult, I enjoyed it so much I ordered the adult version.As we all learned in basic history class, Abraham Lincoln was shot at the Ford Theater by John Wilkes Booth. What I (and I daresay many others) didn't know was there was a significant conspiracy to take down the entire government which was also supposed to happen that fateful evening. The author explains this in such a fascinating way it reads like a novel. Then, after the assisination the hunt is on for Booth and the others.This book is listed for ages twelve and up and I would heed that as there are someone graphic depictions of the wounds suffered by Lincoln and their subsequent treatment.
I read this book with my 10-year old grandson. I expected a children's book that would couch the gory details in terms that would not upset young readers. I was surprised and pleased that Mr. Swanson did not attempt to do that. This is a straightforward account of how John Wilkes Booth and a group of co-conspirators killed President Lincoln, attempted to kill Secretary Seward, and how they tried to escape capture for their crimes. I liked it very much, and found my grandson more than able to handle the facts as presented. This book actually sparked his interest in Lincoln, and he asked me to take him to the movie of the same name just released. You can't ask for more than that.
My 12 year old son had to read a non-fiction book for school, and he decided to read this one. He loved the house. He read it quickly. According to him, the best part of the book are the pictures that are spread throughout. They really add to the story. Highly recommended.
The target audience for this adaption of MANHUNT is listed as 7th grade and up. That 'and up' goes quite a way up - this reviewer has a Bachelor and most of a Master degree in history and learned many things about this tragic chapter in US history. Swanson covers the subject from the days leading up to the assassination to the capture and trials of the conspirators.The factors leading up to the event, personalities and motivations of those involved and the final fates of many of the major figures are all covered in a clear, easy to read and understand manner. That is not to say however, that this is in any way a 'dumbed down' version. Swanson has given this the same meticulous attention to detail and scholarship that marks his work intended for adult readers. There are numerous illustrations, photographs of those involved, reproductions of newspaper accounts, broadsides etc that bring the written text to life. Additionally there is a convenient list at the beginning of the book of all those involved, quite helpful for classes who will be reading the book over a period of several days.This book could be given to a student who is particularly interested in this subject for independent study or used by a class for both a unit on the Lincoln assassination and an introduction to historical research.
Being a history buff, my 11 year old granddaughter has the curiosity for Lincoln and his life. This book was captivating in that you couldn't put it down. The action was intense and the history was accurate. Well done.
Outstanding book that gives insight on the last days of John Wilkes Booth. Middle school students at my school have "loved" this book so well, it has had to be replaced three times due to constant checkouts. James Swanson knows his history and tells it well.
Chasing Lincoln's Killer Fatal Defect: Chasing Killer Computer Bugs Killer Pies: Delicious Recipes from North America's Favorite Restaurants (Killer (Chronicle Books)) Confession of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer The Great Zodiac Killer Hoax of 1969 (The Great Zodiac Killer Hoax series Book 2) Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer (P.S.) Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase to Catch Lincoln's Killer (P.S.) Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words that Remade America (Simon & Schuster Lincoln Library) Magic Tree House Fact Tracker: Abraham Lincoln: A Nonfiction Companion to Magic Tree House #47: Abe Lincoln at Last! Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker: The Unlikely Friendship of Elizabeth Keckley and Mary Todd Lincoln Abraham Lincoln in the Kitchen: A Culinary View of Lincoln's Life and Times Mr. Lincoln's T-Mails: How Abraham Lincoln Used the Telegraph to Win the Civil War The Civil War Diary of Gideon Welles, Lincoln's Secretary of the Navy: The Original Manuscript Edition (The Knox College Lincoln Studies Center) The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War Our Lincoln: New Perspectives on Lincoln and His World Lincoln's Sanctuary: Abraham Lincoln and the Soldiers' Home The Lincoln Lawyer (A Lincoln Lawyer Novel) The Vanished Man: A Lincoln Rhyme Novel (Lincoln Rhyme Novels) The Burning Wire: A Lincoln Rhyme Novel (Lincoln Rhyme Novels) The Broken Window: A Lincoln Rhyme Novel (Lincoln Rhyme Novels)
