Customer Reviews

Bloody Dawn: The Story of the Lawrence Massacre

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The best account of the infamous Lawrence, Kansas massacre during the Civil War. Goodrich uses meticulous detail and vivid writing to deliver a fascinating, often gruesome depiction of Quantrill's raid. The casual reader will find "Bloody Dawn" riveting; the historian will discover a treasure trove in the copious footnotes and bibliography. A must for anyone interested in the seamy underbelly of the "bleeding Kansas" era.

This is the best coverage of the 1863 Lawrence Massacre that I have ever found to date. Goodrich does an excellent job in thoroughly covering the atrocity perpetrated by Quantrill and his raiders under the Black Flag. Imagine 200 men and boys slaughtered. Even in today's world, those would be headlines in every paper.

Quantrill is a fascinating subject on many levels. He was clearly a leader, a good military strategist, courageous and crafty. He was also a liar, who was ruthless, brutal and deadly. In conducting this raid on Lawrence he was daring beyond any Union expectations.

Goodrich covers the event from beginning to end in such a dramatic and interesting style that you will not be able to put the book down. I got to know many of the victims. The book is so informative that genealogists, historians and the curious will find many veins for further exploration and inquiry. Goodrich will make you believe that you were an eyewitness that day in Lawrence.

I live in Lawrence, and have been wanting to learn more about Lawrence history. I had a hard time putting this book down. It is graphic and to the point, so not for the weak of heart. It was a true horror story, yet I enjoyed learning about early Lawrence. The maps were interesting as well.