A. Lincoln: His Last 24 Hours [Paperback]

W. Emerson Reck (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1994

Mystery and speculation have been associated with the assassination of Abraham Lincoln for more than a century. Here is a thorough documentation, based on 30 years of research, of the activities and struggles of the President during his last day, along with events leading up to the assassination.

--This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA This short but scholarly book details those fateful hours of April 14, 1865. Every incident of the day is included, from the moment Lincoln arose until that evening when he died. Although basically a research book, it has a readable narrative style that sweeps readers along into the events of the day. Thus it should appeal to various types of students. Numerous illustrations, both photographs and drawings, add interest and realism. An appendix recounts some of the unsolved mysteries surrounding Lincoln's assassination. These include the suitability of his bodyguard that evening and the uncertainty of the autopsy findings. Extensive footnotes help to authenticate the material, and a lengthy bibliography documents the research. Peggie Case Paulus, St. John's School, Houston
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Review

"highly readable" -- VOYA

"painstakingly re-creates Lincoln's every movement as well as that of his murderer" -- Booklist/RBB

"recommended" -- Choice

"sweeps readers along" -- School Library Journal --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: University of South Carolina Press (June 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570030081
• ISBN-13: 978-1570030086
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #782,263 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece of Time, September 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A. Lincoln: His Last 24 Hours (Paperback)

History books must reach into the past to pull forward a tangible, feeling portrait of those who have lived before us. A. Lincoln: His Last 24 Hours is a brilliant account of a ever researched, fascinating topic. America may know the general idea of the Lincoln assasination, but this book reaches into the depths of a life that seems to come together in the course of one day. The life of America's greatest president was turbulent from its foundation, and a peace settled into the man who had an ironic foreshadowing of his own death. After reading this account, one can argue that Linocln was so relaxed, joyful and relieved. This may be due to the fact that he knew his life and accomplishments had run their course and he, along with the Unified country he fought so hard to solidfy was on the right track. Lincoln walking alongside the women in the garden admiring his beloved lemon tree, cavorting cheerfully with the energy-draining Mary Todd, and defiance in wanting to attend "Our American Cousin" are just some of the vignettes presented in luxurious vividity. All in all, one of the most entertaining reads I have had the pleasure to experience. A masterful look into a world past.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, July 16, 2001

By 

Todd (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A. Lincoln: His Last 24 Hours (Paperback)

A. Lincoln: His Last 24 Hours is one of the best books I've read about the fateful day in April 1865 when the 16th President was shot and killed at Ford's Theater. It paints a fascinating picture of a very tragic man on the last day of his too-short life. The relief and joy that Lincoln must have felt with the end of the Civil War finally at hand, his concern for how to achieve the nearly impossible task of reconstruction, and the never-ending personal challenges he faced in dealing with his wife are all captured in the words of Mr. Lincoln himself as well as through comments from observers who had contact with him on that day.

The book reads very much like a novel but is obviously very well researched with plenty of reference material documented via footnotes throughout. The author knows the subject well and is careful to note when conclusions not fully supported by documented research are drawn. The result is wonderfully readable and highly informative unlike many other accounts of that day.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Image of The End of A Great Leader, August 6, 2000

By 

kent delay - See all my reviews

This review is from: A. Lincoln: His Last 24 Hours (Paperback)

This book captures the readers attention and takes him on a step by step discourse of the hours before Lincoln's assassination. A very sad image is presented in the book because it's obvious Lincoln's last day of life may have been his happiest day of life. Lincoln was overcoming the anxieties of war, but was cut down when he had a handle on life. In this book the reader learns of the threats to the president's life and what could have been done to prevent Lincoln's death. Infortunately in 1865 all Booth needed to end the president's life was a passion against Lincoln. Great book!