Twenty Days, A Narrative in Text and Pictures of the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln

by Dorothy Kunhardt, Philip B. Kunhardt Jr.

Chronicles the twenty days from the assassination of President Lincoln to his burial in Springfield, Illinois, presenting more than three hundred illustrations in black and white throughout.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Presidents, Civil War

312 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Dorothy Kunhardt was the author of over 50 children's book, including the legendary interactive baby book, Pat the Bunny. She was also a historian, writing several books about 19th century America, including a well-known account of the aftermath of Lincoln's assassination.

Reviews

[Len · Rating 5 out of 5]

My father's older version of this book, published in 1963, was one of my favorite books when I was a boy. Rich with photographs and a moving text, this chronological narrative of the twenty days beginning with the assassination of Abraham Lincoln is a treasure for professional historians and history buffs alike.

They just don't make books like this anymore.

[Nathan Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I managed to pick up this book because it had a foreword by Bruce Catton, and I am glad I checked it out, because the book is a very worthwhile one for both its text and its photos.  A true labor of love, the book is the result of the assiduous collection of photographs and commenting on them from someone who is an expert in the aftermath of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the response of the nation to this.  Although the book is not a scholarly history, it is clearly a social history of the highest order, and a very worthwhile source if one has an interest in Civil War studies and of Lincoln's assassination in particular.  In fact, reading this book was like reading a better form of Killing Lincoln, with more photos and a more complete story, and fewer conspiratorial speculations, all of which is definitely a change for the better, if I may say so for myself in a somewhat biased way.  All of that leads me to think very highly of this book, even if it would make for a somewhat unconventional coffee table volume.

The roughly 300 pages of this book (and the pages are very large) can be divided into six sections.  The book begins with a preface and foreword and then moves on in a thematic or chronological fashion through the titular twenty days.  The book begins with a discussion of the assassination itself, and photos and text relating to the attack, including the angle of firing from John Wilkes Booth's pistol and drawings and photographs taken of the scene and of the various people, including the actors and actresses in The American Cousin (1).  After that the author looks at the six days immediately after the murder when Lincoln remained in Washington, looking at the transition of power to Andrew Johnson and what happened with the investigation (2).  The third part of the book looks at the first few stops of the funeral train as it made its way from Washington through Baltimore, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, New York, and Buffalo, on the first part of its journey (3).  After this the book discusses the fate of the assassins, including the investigation and the trial of those who were accused of guilt in conspiring to murder Lincoln and carrying out that deed (as well as the simultaneous assault on Secretary of State Seward) (4).  After this the author looks at Lincoln's journey as it approached home, with stops in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois (5) before the authors close with the funeral and aftermath of the funeral of Lincoln in Springfield, even containing a picture of a beloved pet dog who had been given to others (6).  

It is the little details that make this book particular important as a source on the Civil War.  Whether one looks at the unpopularity of Mary Todd Lincoln with many of the people of Springfield, the sorrow and devotion of America to the first president (but, sadly, not the last) who had been struck down in violence, or looks at the premonitions by Lincoln's stepmother that he would suffer violence, or even the picture of the Lincoln's dog, we are reminded of the fact that Lincoln was greatly beloved and that at the time people sought to immortalize as much as possible about the man himself and his context.  This included his body, his writings, his various photographs, any item that he had at the time of the assassination, including a cane, and his house.  The book also, as a somewhat darker undercurrent, also reminds us that part of what made Mary Todd Lincoln so reviled in the aftermath of her husband's death was her insensitivity to the common standards of decency, even as the book highlights those who, like Tad and Robert Lincoln and dressmaker Elizabeth Keckley, sought to comfort and help Lincoln's widow even as she fell apart in dramatic fashion.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really fantastic book, Lincoln’s assassination has been told 1000s of times but having such rare photographs to illustrate the twenty days after his assassination does flesh the event out, the text accompanying them are a bit repetitive however
The photos are in brilliant quality, cracks in glass plates notwithstanding
It’s just a shame the book is long out of print, it isn’t academic by any means but it’s a really brilliant recounting of Lincoln’s assassination

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My dad's old copy of this book was one I pored over as a kid. I was so pleased to hear it quoted often as I recently read (and adored) Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders, and pulled this old book down again today for a read. It still holds up - stunning visuals, clear writing, loads of detail.

I can't believe she also wrote "Pat The Bunny." What is this life?

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books. Learning about the Meserve-Kunhardt Collection (sounds so dry) the story of how this collection came to be and the labor of love around maintaining it is ALMOST as good as looking at the photos themselves.

Here is the thing about Abraham Lincoln. His story follows a perfect narrative arc. It is literally a perfect story. He was born in obscurity. He was a chosen one. He was tested and nearly broken. He was cruelly taken in the prime of his life.

Lincoln's face reflects the story of his life. The kindness, melancholy, raw American man is a contrast to the groomed Virginia founding fathers.

The pictures in this book and the comments by Dorothy Kunhardt make me feel like I am around the table looking through the pictures with the Meserve family. This seals it for me, the best book for me is one that makes me feel like I am in conversation with an incredible dinner guest.

[Kelli Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent book. You are allowed like never before into the life of Abraham Lincoln. We need another president like Abe.

"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations." - Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address

[K J · Rating 5 out of 5]

A picture is worth a thousand words. One cannot add to this adage nor describe this gallery of history more accurately. We who are the children of history can never be experience the days just after Lincoln's assassination with more sorrow and awe than this wonderful book conveys. America would never be quite as young and naive again.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watched a documentary about this family, the Kunhardts, a few weeks ago. Fascinating family story led me to this book and another recently read. She, Dorothy, also wrote children's books and I'm currently waiting for one to arrive via Marina.

[Dick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific book - covers from that fateful night on April 14, 1865 to May 3rd when President Lincoln was finally laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery in Springfield.

[Phillip · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that I grew up with and that I inherited from my grandfather. From my youth I have been both repelled and fascinated by the images.

[Kitsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

very informative

[Naye Green]

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