Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com

The murder of Abraham Lincoln set off the greatest manhunt in American history. From April 14 to April 26, 1865, the assassin, John Wilkes Booth, led Union cavalry and detectives on a wild twelve-day chase through the streets of Washington, D.C., across the swamps of Maryland, and into the forests of Virginia, while the nation, still reeling from the just-ended Civil War, watched in horror and sadness.

James L. Swanson's Manhunt is a fascinating tale of murder, intrigue, and betrayal. A gripping hour-by-hour account told through the eyes of the hunted and the hunters, this is history as you've never read it before.

Average Customer Rating:

Brilliant

Customer Rating:

This page turner has all the exitement of the best of John Grisham, yet every word of it is true. The amount of knowledge this work provides not only about the Lincoln assassination, but also for the feel of life in Washington and in the South in 1865 makes this one of the best histirical accounts I have ever read. Booth's well staged murder was perhaps the first and most gruesome bit of "performance art" ever done, and his delusional plans of what would follow his act deteriorates into a cat and nouse chase through the outskirts of Washington that is so tightly written the book is a hard one to put down. It is a must read. If Amazon had an extra star I'd give it.

this book deserves more than five stars!

Customer Rating:

This bestselling nonfiction book came with outstanding professional reviews. There was no laying it aside for later, as I was unable to put it down. The author completely changed my opinion of John Wilkes Booth, a successful actor who had everything to lose and risked it all. If there were flaws in the writing I certainly never noticed any. This is an achievement I cannot criticize. In fact I almost wished I had a seatbelt. It is a rollicking good read.

Outstanding Read

Customer Rating:

Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, by James Swanson, is an excellent read. The author takes the reader to gaslight lit streets and a time of joy, followed by great sorrow. Swanson tells the story of President Lincoln's assassin in an almost - but not quite - sympathetic manner. Swanson introduces the reader to many secondary characters that assisted Booth in his 12-day escape from the authorities. The book is written in a style that is less text book than mystery thriller. Swanson does an excellent job in making the reader feel the urgency that both sides felt, in trying to locate and/or hide Booth. The P.S. portion of this version of the book provides excellent insight into the author's goals and objectives in telling the story. This is a 5-star read that I highly recommend. Learning about the strong emotions that existed during this tumultuous time period in U.S. history. Enjoy.

A gem for Civil War enthusiasts

Customer Rating:

This book is a real gem. My husband and I have always been interested in Civil War lore. This book is chocked full of interesting facts surrounding the assassination of President Lincoln. We borrowed the book initially but have purchased another copy because we wanted to keep this book as a permanent reference. Our high schooler benefitted immensely from this book for a history project. You won't be able to put this down.

Harrowing "Manhunt"

Customer Rating:

Most everyone knows that John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln. But few know the broader plan, how history could have changed, how history indeed did change, the minute by minute saga of the planning of the crime and its twelve day aftermath - the Manhunt for Booth. This chronicle of those days is so harrowing, so page turning, you will give up sleep to finish it. Knowing the history we all know, I still read this story hoping the assassination attempt fails and if not, Booth would be caught before he left the Ford's Theatre. Alas, neither of those hopes were realized but that's how riveting and real this story is. I cannot recall reading a book as exciting or as informative. Take the James Swanson time machine back to 1865 and live there for twelve days. It is unforgettable.