What Really Happened: The Lincoln Assassination

by Robert J. Hutchinson

After 150 years, many unsolved mysteries and enduring urban legends still surround the assassination of Abraham Lincoln by the popular stage actor John Wilkes Booth.

In a new look at the case, award-winning author Robert Hutchinson (The Dawn of Christianity) explores what we know, and don't know, about what really happened at Ford's Theater on the night of April 14, 1865. In addition, he argues that the deep-seated political hatreds that roiled Washington, DC, in the final weeks of the Civil War are particularly relevant to our own polarized age.

Among the tantalizing questions Hutchinson explores are:

** Why Abraham Lincoln's final day on earth one of the happiest of his life.

** Whether desperate Confederate political leaders, fearing for their lives, had a hand in the assassination plot.

** How a talented family of actors, poets and physicians opposed to slavery somehow produced a presidential assassin.

** The mystery of Lincoln's police bodyguard - why he disappeared at Ford's Theater when Lincoln had already been the subject of an assassination attempt the previous year.

** What led Booth to give up on his original plan to kidnap Lincoln and decide on assassination instead.

** Whether Lucy Hale, Booth's secret fiancée and the daughter of a U.S. senator, who once caught the eye of Lincoln's son Robert, knew about Booth's plans to kill Lincoln.

** How Booth evaded the largest manhunt in U.S. history for nearly two weeks despite being unable to walk.

** Why the government insisted on the death penalty for Mary Surratt, who ran a boardinghouse where Booth used to visit, but allowed most of the Confederate sympathizers who aided his escape to get off scot-free.

** Who gave the order to shoot Booth in the Garrett barn - and what happened to his body.

** What became of the Booth and Lincoln families after the assassination.

** And lots MORE.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History

256 pages, Hardcover

First published April 7, 2020

About the author

Robert J. Hutchinson is the author of What Really Happened: The Death of Hitler (Regnery History, August 2020), which settles the question once and for all about whether Hitler escaped to live in Argentina, and What Really Happened: The Lincoln Assassination (Regnery History, April 2020), a step-by-step recreation of the final week of Abraham Lincoln's life. Hutchinson is also the author of The Dawn of Christianity, (Thomas Nelson, 2017), a journalistic retelling of the last week of Jesus’ life and the twenty years that followed; Searching for Jesus: New Discoveries in the Quest for Jesus of Nazareth (Thomas Nelson, 2015), a pioneering work that challenges older scholarly ideas about who Jesus was and what he was trying to achieve; The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Bible (Regnery, 2008) which argues that the ideas embedded in the ancient Biblical texts gave rise to such developments as modern science, the recognition of universal human rights and constitutional government; When in Rome: A Journal of Life In Vatican City (Doubleday, 1998) which recounts the adventures of his family when they lived in Rome and Hutchinson researched the inner workings of the Vatican; and The Book of Vices: A Collection of Classic Immoral Tales (Putnam, 1996) which is a light-hearted attempt to poke fun at William Bennett's The Book of Virtues and is full of excerpts from ribald classics.

Hutchinson has been a professional writer and author his entire adult life, working both for Christian publications, such as Christianity Today and U.S. Catholic, and for secular magazines and newspapers. He was once the managing editor of Hawaii Magazine and the Hawaii Bureau Chief for The Hollywood Reporter. Hutchinson attended Catholic schools, studied philosophy and French as an undergraduate, moved to Israel to learn Hebrew, and earned a graduate degree in New Testament studies in 2004. He is currently pursuing graduate studies in philosophy at the University of Innsbruck, Austria.

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about Lincoln in general and his assassination. There were a few items that I did not know or did not remember after reading so much about Lincoln over the years. But there was not much of anything new.
It seemed that the book was poorly proofed / edited. Several spots throughout words are misspelled or appear to be missing altogether. One mistake is with the picture of Thomas “Tad” Lincoln. It lists him as living from 1853 – 1817 which is of course incorrect.
A thing that I disliked was that every couple of pages there is a sidebar with a quote, detail, or other information that says almost exactly what is said in the normal text of the book. Distracting, frustrating and unnecessary. A ton of repetition. I can’t say that I was really impressed with the book overall. Felt like a sensationalized historical account.

[Tom Stamper · Rating 5 out of 5]

What has nagged me over the years is why does a famous actor like John Wilkes Booth throw everything away on some fool’s errand? I’ve read authors tell me that he was the Brad Pitt of 1865 engaged to a Senator’s beautiful daughter. Robert Hutchinson explains why that is all bushwa. Booth had hardly been on stage the 6 months leading to the assassination. The senator’s daughter was just one of many dalliances Booth had. He was overshadowed by his famous father and brothers.

But what is really important about this book is how he lays out the parallel action of Booth and Lincoln on the day of the assassination. The economy of the description makes each of the conspirators stand out as individuals. I loved Manhunt, but the length of it made me forget the distinct roles each character played along the way. This was sticky. By the end I had a very firm grip on what Lewis Powell did compared to John Surrat. This approach reminds me of Craig Shirley, an author that I find compelling each time out.

The other important element here is how the author describes the accepted history and how a lot of it is based on accounts decades later by people that may have been embellishing. He gives you the corroboration if it exists but otherwise explains the circumstances in which certain accounts came into lore. It helps you see how an historian or biographer could so easily create their own narrative by ignoring the source of some of the too-good-to-be-true tales.

I think anyone interested in the Lincoln Assassination should start here first.

[Dougie · Rating 1 out of 5]

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED?

I got cheated out of $30 bucks. There's nothing here you didn't learn from your high school history book. Skip it.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was a point in my life where I was obsessed with the Abraham Lincoln assassination and so therefore thought I knew everything. I knew next to nothing. I didn’t know a lot of the country thought in my tyrant, I also didn’t know he had people arrested for speaking ill of the government, and I didn’t know that Ulysses S Grant was supposed to accompany the Lincoln’s trip for theater, but because his wife Didn’t like Mary Todd Lincoln they demurred And begged off. There was so much else I didn’t know that included Mrs. Grant another top officials who were also targeted that night. I could go on and on about the things I didn’t know Like how so many people who visited Lincoln the day of his death were connected to John Wilkes Booth either in advertently or head direct dealings with booth. They just said so much in this book that was so very interesting. About all the untruths that became popular over the years due to lazy historians ET see. In the final and result for all involved. If you love history and absolutely love correct history you should read this book. I did it was so amazed at all I didn’t know. I will probably read this book again as I consumed it so fast I may not remember everything, LOL! I gave it five stars, because I couldn’t give it 10 stars. I received this book from Brooke sirens for an honest review and this is my honest review I absolutely love that! I can’t believe the great books I get from Books sirens I have yet to dislike any of them. So thanks to the author and thanks to book sirens.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I attended High School in Lincoln Illinois . This town in central Illinois was named for Abraham Lincoln in 1853 BEFORE he was elected president. My husband attended Lincoln College in the same town. It was named for President Lincoln in 1865 BEFORE he was assassinated. My mother was born on February 12 years AFTER Lincoln died. As a result I read and heard much about this great man. My interest was piqued .

The author quotes historical quotes and shows pictures of some of those involved in story. He then writes his version of the story and delves deeper. There is a large Bibliography as well as extensive notes for the reader to explore. I read the book as a story not a textbook. In time I may go back and do more research. For now I will just say this was a book I found myself saying "Just one more page."

I received a free copy and this is my voluntary review

[Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book on the Lincoln Assassination. The book is a good read(get it). Does have the
background of both individuals, nice anecdotes on pages, like what was said, Especially like the
chapter dedicated to the Aftermath, what happen to the Lincoln family, Booth Family etc. This I believe is the start of a new series in What Really Happened, similiar to O'Reilly's books. Sit back
and enjoy this interesting book.

[Michael Carmack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Similar to O’Reilly’s “Killing” series, Hutchinson takes you day by day through the events leading to President Lincoln’s assassination. Hutchinson doesn’t stop at just Lincoln and Booth though. He describes the roles and responsibilities of those who aided in the assassination as well as those important to President Lincoln. A must read for history lovers!

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! The amount of detail and historical insight really takes you to the events. Provides a detailed history and i really enjoy the level of thought of detail put into this book. It shows an author that takes pride in their work and ensures accuracy when looking at events! Awesome job, can't wait for more!

[Skip Heflin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story and written in a neutral manner to allow one to form their own opinion. Presents the facts but includes thoughts shared by the author of others and some of his own. Includes many details that I have not seen elsewhere and does a good job of avoiding opinion unless noted.

[James L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. If you don't know much about Lincoln's assassination, or think you know a lot, this book will open your eyes to the things you did not. Very well researched.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

April 14 account of Lincoln assasination and its after effect.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and learned new things about stuff I didn't know before reading this book.