Customer Reviews

The Lincoln Murder Conspiracies

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Since the day Lincoln was assassinated, many theories have emerged about who was the mastermind behind the plot. Among the accused have been members of the Confederate government, including Jefferson Davis, the Catholic Church and members of Lincoln's own Cabinet.

Hanchett examines these conspiracy theories and the people who put forward the theories in an attempt to find out if a higher authority, civil or religious, ordered John Wilkes Booth and his co-conspirators to kill Lincoln and members of his Cabinet. By examining each theory individually as well as the motives behind those who suggested the theories, Hanchett does an excellent job of refuting some of the more unlikely theories.

My son bought me this book when he was at Ford's Theater because he knew I am a history buff. I'm thankful for the gift although I mistakenly let it sit on the shelf a bit too long. The author, William Hanchett is up front about what the purpose of the book is. His is not an account of the event so much as a focus on the political passions of the times and an analysis of the accounts of the assassination from the time of the event up to modern times. Following along those lines, this is a very good book. The author deserves credit for not wallowing in academic prose; "The Lincoln Murder Conspiracies" is a very readable book. Hanchett evaluates the various conspiracy theories that emerged from such a monumental event in US History and there are some interesting theories out there. Just the other day a learned friend of mine commented about Edwin Stanton's likely involvement in Lincoln's death. I ought to let him read this book. Then again, maybe not since conspiracy theories make for more interesting history. However, I'm glad I read this book. I rated it "Good" because it IS good. I've read too many "Very Good" and "Outstanding" books to rate everything else that way. Likewise, I've read enough academic prose to know how even the most compelling events in history can be a bore to read about. The bottom line on "The Lincoln Murder Conspiracies" is; if you want to know about Lincoln's Assassination, this is the place to start and, depending on your attraction to conspiracy theories, it may also be the place to end.

Hanchett's book was probably better when first published than it is today. It is certainly not a bad book, but it was written at a time when, it seems, not many historians had turned to the topic. We are now blessed with a multitude of well-researched books on all aspects of the Lincoln assassination (from a compilation of eyewitness accounts in "We Saw Lincoln Shot", to the popular "Manhunt" account of Booth's flight, to other excellent books like "Blood on the Moon" and "American Brutus" - I am neglecting many others, but the point is the last two decades have seen a rebirth in interest in the topic).

Hanchett 'cleans house', in a way, by chronicling the popular, controversial, and outlandish theories and conspiracies that had dominated the prior 100 years and change. Particular emphasis was paid to the likes of Otto Eisenschiml and his 'Stanton' conspiracy theory, the theories about Jefferson and the Canadian Confederate agents directing Booth, some strange theories involving Lincoln himself (including one bizarre tale of Lincoln purportedly telling a former Supreme Court Justice, who was a Confederate, that he wanted him to come back to help legally defeat the 14th amendment), and the 'Catholic connection' conspiracy theory, among others. One of the strengths of this book is the way he tackles these theories, details the people on who started them, the milieu in which they were born, and then the ways in which they are found wanting. He does not tell the full story of either the assassination or the escape and capture (a point he makes clear at the outset), thus this is a poor book with which to begin learning about the events of April 1865, but it is invaluable if one wants to look back and deepen one's understanding of the progression of thought and the whys and hows of some of the more pervasive myths.

Succinct, clear, and well-researched, Hanchett has written a book that any Lincoln/Booth aficionado should read at some point.

For a Lincoln assassination buff, I'd rate this book as essential. Thoroughly documented with excellent notes and a good bibliography, it pulls together many rumors and most of the players on the scene April 14, 1865. So in terms of a source for ideas on the conspirators, real and imagined, it is excellent.
It can be a bit dry reading at times but the true Lincoln follower will have no trouble getting through. The amount of information can be a little intimidating but if one uses 'The Lincoln Assassination Encyclopedia' alongside this book most questions arising in the reader's mind will be answered.
A great deal of myth surrounds the murder of Abraham Lincoln. Partly this is due to John Wilkes Booth dying before he had his day in court. This book examines those myths, explores their sources and allows the reader to determine for himself what level of validity ought to be attached to them.
As such it is a worthwhile part of the vast library of Lincoln literature. I recommend it for a place in the library of any collector of Lincoln books.

I've had it with all these idiotic "conspiracy books" that flood the market. If it's not JFK, it's space aliens and "black helicopters" and sad to say, Abraham Lincoln is not imune to the lunacy. But for the SERIOUS student, here is a book that dispells all of the dribble concerning the assassination of our 16th president. The author takes on each of these wacked out theories and disects them. BRAVO! The most laughable ones concern the Vatican's involvement as well as the European bankers. When in doubt, blame the Catholic church or the rich was the montra in America during the late 1930's and '40's. I'm neither rich, nor Catholic, so I have no axe to grind. Oh, I'm sure the "believers" will continue this psychophantic devotion to blaming Stanton, Andrew Johnson, et al. But face it, Booth was a basket case and he destroyed any attempt at a peaceful reconstruction after the war. What really amazes me is how this hack actor managed to pull off the murder with such a motley collection of mental idiots and buffoons. Booth's derringer was of larger caliber than their collective I.Q. If you are tired of the nonsence of conspiracy theories and want to deal in solid fact, read this book.

This book showed each side to any conspiracy that could have been involved in the Lincoln assassination. I became confused after reading a chapter and then all of that historian thinking was rejected by some other guy. If you are into that kinda thing, sure go ahead and read the book, but I just got confused. I can't determine what really happened and what was people's thoughts.