Customer Reviews

Right or Wrong, God Judge Me: THE WRITINGS OF JOHN WILKES BOOTH

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Booth's political opinions were not all that unusual.
Many people in the 1860's, North and South, shared his view that the Confederate cause was just, and that Lincoln was a despot who intended to crown himself King,a la Napoleon. What separated Booth, a famous stage star and "the handsomest man in America", from others, was his conviction that he himself could divert the course of history. It is revealing that he idolized John Brown "the grandest character of the century!" despite his polar opinion on slavery, and does his use of the word "character" in this connection tell us something about Booth? Was he an overwrought egoist determined to play Brutus in life, or a courageous, if misguided, Southern patriot?
There is room for both interpretations (and more) in this carefully annotated and fascinating collection of the extant Booth writings, many of which are published here for the first time. (Most were destroyed in panic and shame following the assassination). The debate about Booth's mental status, character, and intentions can now continue on a more solid footing, thanks to the editors of this valuable work.

(The "score" rating is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score" books.)

I honestly felt deeply sad for John Wilkes Booth after digesting his words in my mind and coming to the conclusion he was not the beast portrayed in typical history books and verbal history but a man with an amazing thought process and love for his family as seen in his letters,especially his relationship with his mother and sister Asia which I found extremely endearing.

He had much to offer,and it is a shame he did not see what his future may have had in store for him other than the narrow path and ill fate he took.

Beautiful,talented and brillant.

"Right or Wrong, God Judge Me" is a fascinating collection of all the known existing hand-written documents left by John Wilkes Booth. Most of his written materials were destroyed by family, friends and acquaintances in the aftermath of Lincoln's assassination for fear that the holders of the documents may be accused of being an accessory to the crime. What is printed here (many for the first time) are those documents left by JWB that managed to be preserved. These materials include letters written to a friend William O'Laughlin (brother of Michael O'Laughlin who was a co-conspirator) when JWB was a teen-ager, poems written in autograph books of fellow actors, information on his theatre work and financial investments written to his business partners, love letters to Isabel Sumner, and a lengthy pro-Union speech intentionally preserved by brother Edwin written only a few days after South Carolina seceded from the Union. In the latter as well as the famous "To Whom It May Concern" letter also published here, JWB explains his sympathy with the southern cause, the influence of watching abolitionist John Brown hanged, his feelings towards his country, his personal views on slavery, etc. Two pocket diary entries written while he was a fugitive (surprised at the negative reaction his deed received from the public) as well as a sarcastic letter written to a doctor who would not help him as he was fleeing authorities on an injured leg are the last entries in this book.

What makes this book even more fascinating than reading the words of one of the most notorious men in American history, is the incredible research completed by the editors. Every document, including letters of only a couple sentences, are followed by many footnotes detailing the people, places, and events in JWB's life pertaining to the document. This information includes theatre reviews, most in praise of Booth's performances, especially his sword fighting. The dangers and hardships actors endured traveling to shows in those days is explained. The editors also include historical background and context to the documents. Even the letters on his theatre schedule and investments were interesting because of the additional information the editors provided. I felt as though I was following JWB's life through these letters and footnotes. I've come away from this book with a much better understanding of what motivated JWB to commit his crime. Anyone interested in Booth and the Lincoln assassination needs to read this book. The 171-page book includes a section of illustrations, including photos of three of the handwritten documents.

In my opinion "Right or Wrong,God Judge Me" is a blessing;mostly for the masses growing up believing only one side to a twisting and tragic tale.John Wilkes Booth is humanized,he is presented as a multi dimensional conflicted individual,far from the "mad man" we were all taught to despise for his repulsive crime against the US government and Lincoln. The evil I once thought he posessed is not the main struggle of his personality;his struggle seems to more or less be over his love and jealousy of brother Edwin and his fears of being loved and admired.His heart is tormented by the carnage of the Civil War,which in turn causes him to side with just about anyone who hates Lincoln. As I found by reading the book,he was not as mad as I once believed,but seemed more a sad and lonely man admired mostly for his looks yet he seemed to be upset about the sexual objectivity given to his person,hence he burned fan mail sent to him by rather amourous ladies,I feel from reading this book that he needed more than theatre and adoration from screaming females;he wanted to be taken seriously and make a difference in the world.Unfortunately he chose a rather brutal means of attaining this goal. I do think that his appearance can somewhat color judgement.Do we feel more sorry for him because he was extremely handsome? I wonder if he would have been homely if he would have gotten as much sympathy? Maybe not,but still I understand his mentality better and why he turned out the way he did.

The book allows the reader to get beyond the muddled historical "facts" and understand a troubled,witty and gifted individual,who could have become so much more had he not taken the path to murder Lincoln.This book is a lesson for us all,a lesson into the human mind and its many sides and complex makeup.History has taken one simple minded look for too long,it is time to study Booth for what he was before the murder, and what this stunning and talented man could have been.

This is an interesting book regarding the state of mind of the wealthy and famous actor of the time. The book carefully places his letters chronologically and also backs them by giving historic references and explanations of the events that surrounded the man. How his "flowery-like" letters could ever hint at a man struggling with the problems of the country isn't told in them. It's ironic from such writing that this man who had fame, fortune and social approval also had a deep and ever growing anger against northern politics. His inner anger seemed depressed awaiting a chance to explode. This book easily portrays Booth as a caring man yet also one who sympathized with the Southern cause. It briskly explains his premeditated thoughts of assassinating Lincoln and has little information regarding putting his thoughts into motion. Yes, this book is about his letters and offers a quick coverage of the events surrounding Booth before and after the killing of Lincoln. For those looking for a complete biography this book isn't the one. For those looking for added insight who may have already read about Booth before, this is a great bonus of information.

For once, we see a book on a controversial historical character that doesn't follow the usual path and provides a balanced look. The letters show the inner working of Booth while revealing he wasn't some mindless madman. Thanks for providing some truthful insight. I only wish the book was longer.

This is an excellent read. It neither condemns, apologizes for, deifies or glorifies, the letters themselves and the notes just say, "This was." Besides Booth's political views and looks at theater life, the letters show the familiar and the mundane, writing about a night out, visiting friends...everyday concerns that the general public forgets that celebrities had and still had.

The title is a promising one, if you're interested in JWB and the Lincoln assassination; and the compilation is thorough, if what you want is to have the complete known products surviving from JWB. The problem is that 90% of what does survive (thus 90% of this book) is really insignificant stuff that sheds very little light on the man's ideas, opinions, or thoughts. It's mostly brief, impersonal, non-revealing notes written to confirm theatrical engagements, &c., &c. Much of it is repetitive variations on a few business-oriented themes. Too bad this is al that survives from him!

Any one who has an interest in 19th century American theater or the Lincoln Assassination should have this book in his library. Booth's writings are a fascinating read. Most of the material collected here is in the form of letters. Many of them are of a business nature, but they show him as a man of varied interests. For instance, Booth attempted to make money in the oil industry. There are also poems by Booth, a speech outlining his political beliefs and love letters to a young woman in Massachusetts. And, of course, there is the diary he kept on his run after the assassination. Booth's words reveal him to be very passionate in everything he set out to do. Most people remember him as the assassin of America's most popular president; however, there was much more to him than that one act which defined his infamous life. He does not appear to have been vicious by nature. He writes, "I bless the entire world. Have never hated or wronged anyone." He truly believed Lincoln was his enemy who had to die for the salvation of the Confederacy. Here we get not only Booth's side of the story in relation to the assassination but also a vivid look into this colorful 19th century personality as far as the rest of his life was concerned. Another plus this book has to offer are a few pictures as well as extensive footnotes.