Good Brother, Bad Brother: The Story Of Edwin Booth And John Wilkes Booth

by James Cross Giblin

Edwin Booth and his younger brother John Wilkes Booth were, in many ways, two of a kind. They were among America’s finest actors, having inherited their father’s commanding stage presence along with his penchant for alcohol and impulsive behavior. In other respects, the two brothers were very different. Edwin was more introspective, while John was known for his passionate intensity. They stood at opposite poles politically, as Edwin voted for Abraham Lincoln; John was an ardent advocate of the Confederacy.

Award-winning author James Cross Giblin draws on first-hand accounts of family members, friends, and colleagues to create vivid images of Edwin Booth and his brother John Wilkes, best known today as the man who shot Abraham Lincoln. He traces the events leading up to the assassination and describes the effects of John Wilkes’s infamous deed on himself, his family, and his country. Comprehensive and compelling, this dual portrait illuminates a dark and tragic moment in the nation’s history and explores the complex legacy of two leading men—one revered, the other abhorred. Notes, bibliography, index.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Civil War, Middle Grade, Historical, American History

244 pages, Hardcover

First published May 23, 2005

About the author

James Cross Giblin was an American children's author and editor, known for his award-winning works. He won the Golden Kite Award and the Sibert Medal for his contributions to children's literature. Giblin was born in Cleveland and raised in Painesville, Ohio. He graduated from Western Reserve University and earned a master's in playwriting from Columbia University. After a brief acting career, he entered publishing, founding Clarion Books, a children's imprint later acquired by Houghton Mifflin. At Clarion, he edited works by notable authors like Eileen Christelow and Mary Downing Hahn. Giblin’s works include The Life and Death of Adolf Hitler and Good Brother, Bad Brother.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a title like "Good Brother, Bad Brother" I expected a picture book. Then, when the book arrived and I realized it was 244 pages, I thought maybe a history book aimed at children. While I would read this to children, I quickly learned it was not that either.
This is simply a readable, interesting biography about Edwin Booth written by an author who used to write children's books. And he does a lovely job at it. (Writing this biography, that is. I've never, to my knowledge, read his children's books.)
I went through a phase in high school where I was all things obsessed with the Lincoln assassination and this book landed on my to-read list courtesy of that obsession. My memory has dimmed somewhat as to the actual assassination but this book's focus on Edwin Booth filled in many fascinating details I'd either forgotten or never knew. Edwin was himself a remarkable man forced to forever live in the shadow of his infamous brother.
This biography does an excellent job showing Edwin in a positive light (his acting, overcoming alcoholism, love for his daughter) while also not shying away from his flaws (failed theater, failed marriage, etc.)
I definitely recommend this one as a fascinating look at John Wilkes Booth's brother and as a biography of a remarkable actor who overcame quite a bit. My favorite part was Edwin's daughter Edwina. I think I want to find out more about her.

[Laurie]

After reading Manhunt, an account of the search for John Wilkes Booth after the assassination, I became curious about Edwin Booth, the one who lived on almost thirty years after that horrible day. He was almost assassinated himself, not because of his brother's deed, but because the assassin claimed to be his illegitimate son. Both his wives pre-deceased him, and like Lincoln, he had a mentally disturbed wife. Nonetheless, his life is in many ways an admirable one. He overcame the drinking problem that had plagued his father and became a universally admired actor. He raised his daughter from the age of 2 after her stepmother's death, and seems to have done a good job of it. It seemed to me that he was the good brother, not perfect, but a good man. His early years trying to keep his actor father on the straight and narrow helped him learn to care for others. His assassin brother was handsome, charismatic and talented, but ultimately narcissistic and destructive. A well-thought out book, which will deserve a place in the myriad studies of the Booths.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covers three of the most important points of a history text: it is very well researched with sources cited, it is well written in a clear voice, and it breaks down history to a relatable, human level.

It literally shows how the Civil War was one of brother-against-brother as we have the Sothern-leaning brother and the Northern-leaning brother, bitterly yelling at each other across the breakfast table.

I loved how very real the people of the time period were as described, and I really, really loved how well done the research was shown – there are no guesses – its all direct quotes, primary sources, or, frank, ‘this section of the historical record is blank’.

Also, my God, when the book gets to Lincoln’s assassination, we are taken though the night minute by minute, moment by moment ,making you want to scream out a warning as Booth readies the gun, giving you a sense of the fluidity of the moment rather than presenting something dry and dusty and carved in stone.

Excellent read.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where found: I found this at Greenfield Village. If you're ever in Michigan and heading towards the Detroit suburban area, go check this place out. Not only does it have a lot of old historical buildings from all over the country, but it also has an great gift shop with an awesome selection of books on American history. All my favorite president fact books and biographies are from there.

Positive: This was a very in-depth look at the Booth family and specifically the Booth brothers. It really helped me understand John Wilkes Booth and why he did what he did. Booth wasn't from the South, but he made it his home as an adult. Booth fell in love with the South and vowed to make himself a proper Southern actor. His loyalty to his state only led him to do what he though of as avenging the South. I also found it interesting that mental illness ran in the Booth family. Junius Booth suffered from fits of insanity, and Edwin admitted periods of depression to a close friend. It makes one wonder how guilty John Wilkes Booth really was. Very detailed and an over-all good read. I also enjoyed reading about the impact of what John Wilkes Booth did had on his family and specifically Edwin.

Negative: Not too many bad things to say about this one. Of course, if you're a die-hard Yankee, you might not enjoy this one. It takes away the illusion of John Wilkes Booth being a cold-heart killer. Every story has two sides, and this side isn't the popular one.

Recommendation: If you're a Civil War buff, this is definitely for you. You'll love the new perspective. If you're a high school history student, read this and randomly drop facts from it while studying Lincoln's assassination. Your teacher will think you're brilliant, trust me.

[Sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, since this was a book I had to read for school, I didn't have much faith in it. I thought, oh, well maybe I'll be able to speed through this and get it over with.

I was so surprised! I really enjoyed this book! James Cross Gibler, an excellent writer, was able to accurately retell the story of the Booth family in an interesting and intriguing way!

I learned so much about the family and am super glad ideas this book. Unfortunately, I felt as though Gibler--at points--dragged out the story and made it quite dull and boring. Also, the book, though it was 222 pages, still felt like it took a long time to read because of some scenes that went by slowly.

Therefore, I will award this book three stars.

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a perfect blend of history, genealogy, and story. The amount of original sources supporting the information--for both stated facts and direct quotes--gave great credibility to the author. The story did not get bogged down in all the little details, but the little details were nevertheless all included, creating a comprehensive narrative. All my possible questions were answered or addressed in a "we don't know" way. I did not notice assumptions without basis stated as fact. Photos were interspersed throughout.

Because the focus of the book was on the Booth family, the narrative naturally produced more sympathy toward the Booths (including John Wilkes) than to Abraham Lincoln. John Wilkes Booth's deed was certainly not excused, and the enormity of Lincoln's assassination was not diminished, but the practical effects on the Booth family--suffering unwarranted suspicion during the investigation, desiring John's body for a Christian burial, etc.--received more attention.

Because of John Wilkes Booth's much shorter life, the book was really more about Edwin Booth. However, it began with the brothers' father, which I greatly appreciated and which was totally relevant the the fame of the Booths, down to the many details which were included.

The book also seemed to be written with a younger (teen) audience in mind; with that it mind, it was written quite clearly, but if one reads it thinking it's adult-targeted, the tone can seem condescending.

Specific content: A few swearwords were written within quotes. Alcohol addiction and its consequences took a prominent position, but not in a sanctimonious/judgmental way--only stated as facts in an individual's life. Christian beliefs or culture were not mentioned much--certainly not as much as one might think would appear in 19th-century lives, but actually not surprising when one considers the book surrounded the acting profession. There was, however, one quote of John Wilkes Booth referring to his belief/hope that God favored his cause. (Isn't it funny how people always like to assume that God is on their side?)

[Zaim Deljanin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Brother Bad Brother by James Cross Giblin, Memoir.

The story is about the life of the Booth family and John wilkes Booth’s interests in the confederate states of america. The biggest conflicts are the families drinking problem and John Wilkes Booth assassinating the president, Abraham Lincoln. The book is about 2 brothers (the main characters) one is a good man that is a father and is a known actor his name is Edwin Booth. Edwin had a slight drinking problem to relieve stress, eventually he ends this problem for his child and his wife. His brother John Wilkes Booth was a good man and a great known actor too, until his hatred for Abraham lincoln and the North kicked in causing him to go along with the confederate states of america, eventually making him assassinate Abe Lincoln.

I liked Good Brother Bad Brother because I found it very interesting that John Wilkes Booth was a very skilled actor and loving person. I always wanted to know more about the man that killed Abraham Lincoln, I also like books based on history.

Binge Readers would like this book because you will always want to know more about the brothers in every chapter.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rereading a classic title...

This dual biography paints a vivid story of the famous acting brothers who were alike in some ways (incredible actors who had alcohol problems) and vastly different in others (Edwin was an introvert who supported Lincoln and John had a passionate intensity for the South that he expressed loudly.) It includes many details about John, however focuses largely on Edwin Booth’s life and how the loss of his first wife and John’s nefarious act affected him the rest of his life.

The descriptive writing allows for clear mental pictures. Excellent primary source B&W photographs help bring to life most of the people mentioned in the text. A few photos of locations and buildings are included, however a map of Washington DC and/or the US at the time might have helped put distances and primitiveness of the time in perspective.

Compare this book with James Swanson's sensational book, Chasing Lincoln's Killer, for a fuller understanding and appreciation for both men.

Grades 7-up.

[Monica Caldicott]

Who shot President Abraham Lincoln? JWB
Where did the assassination take place? Ford’s Theatre WDC
Was it before, during, or after Civil War? 5 days after CW
What play was being performed? "Our American Cousin"
What profession did JWB have? Actor

OK, so you know some, but you’d like to know more! This excellent book tells many more details of JWB and his brother, also a Shakespearean actor. Both men followed in their father’s acting footsteps – one with great success and one to become the most hated man in America – the man who shot the President.

Read p. 2: “That night, Edwin … without ever regaining consciousness.”

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating reading! This provided a lot of additional information about Lincoln's assassin that I'd never heard before. It follows the entire Booth family and the book doesn't end until Edwin's death in the 1890s. I would have liked more information about the co-conspirators, however. Sitting on the fence about adding it to summer reading---wondering if it's too much information for the kids without a teacher to explain some of the content. Great read for adults~

[JL Salty · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.
I’m a little embarrassed how long it took me to finish this book. It was not a hard read, it was well written, it was clear in its purpose, it was thorough in its presentation. I really enjoyed it. Bit it’s a little too focused for purchase for the library.
Rating: g+ for young actors partying, assassination scene.
Good for 7th grade and up.

[Jonmichael Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

very interesting book about the entire booth family, focused more on the actual life of the two main brothers instead of just the assassination as most books do, I also am very fond of plays and theatre so I loved it.


(I had a challenge to speed read it, take your time with the book)

[Kyra Simcic-Swanton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting view of the time period that usually focuses on just the horrors that occurred.

[Vansh · Rating 5 out of 5]

dont know

[Reader123 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! So much research must have gone into writing this book

[Cindy Lou Poquette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting family. The photos were grand and added to the value of the text. A sad book about a talented family.

[Dpalange44 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt like I had to plow through this. It did not read as well as some other Children's Non-fiction I have read, however there were some solid nuggets of information in there like:
- Edwin Booth is buried in Cambridge, MA
- June Booth died in Manchester, NH
- John Wilkes Booth was originally buried underneath the building where the trial of the conspirators was held
- JW Booth's body was later moved to a cemetery in Baltimore.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of two brothers who seek to bring honor to their family name, though their shortcomings prove damaging. Over time, one has become deemed as “the good brother;” the other “the bad brother.” When looking back at the lives of Edwin and John Wilkes Booth, it is clear as to which brother earns what title. However, prior to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the distinction is not so clear.
Edwin was born to the famed eccentric actor Junius Brutus Booth. Although quiet and scholarly, Edwin decides to follow in his father’s theatric footsteps and gradually develops his acting skills. Soon Edwin finds himself playing lead roles and being favorably compared to the great Junius Brutus. However, acting isn’t all that Edwin picks up from his father. Junius struggles with alcoholism, sometimes performing on stage raving drunk. Despite watching his father succumb to alcohol time and time again, Edwin begins to drink himself. He too starts appearing on stage under the influence.
John Wilkes was born five years after Edwin and immediately becomes the darling favorite of his parents. He is lovable, rambunctious, and although he tends to be rash and reckless in his behavior, great things are expected of him as he too enters the world of acting. Trying to step out of his father and brother’s shadows, John, through his energetic performances and striking good looks, quickly becomes one of the most popular actors of the mid-1800s.
By the late 1850s, as the country divides over the issue of slavery, so does the Booth family. Edwin is loyal to the Union; John Wilkes favors the South. Over the course of the war, John grows to despise Lincoln and views him as a tyrant. By the war’s end in 1865, John’s hatred of the President has grown into an obsession. Wishing to be a hero like the Shakespearean characters that he plays on stage, John assassinates Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre hoping to achieve lasting glory. However, his deed does not make him a hero, but a villain to both the North and South. Eventually, he is caught and killed.
The assassination sends shockwaves throughout the country, but the hardest hit is the Booth family. During the war, Edwin starts a family and gives up drinking in order to bring respectability to his name. But with his younger brother’s evil act, Edwin will struggle for the rest of his life to restore the tarnished name of “Booth.”
Good Brother, Bad Brother: the story of Edwin Booth & John Wilkes Booth by James Cross Giblin is a wonderfully written and illustrated story which reveals the life and thoughts of two brothers who in their imperfect ways took part in shaping the nation.

[Nicole Disilvestro · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. I would classify this book as a biography.
2. This book is about the lives of brothers Edwin Booth and John Wilkes Booth. The biography is about the similarities and differences about these brothers living in a very famous time in United States history.
3. (A.) I thought this was a very accurate book. The setting, plot, characters, and the style of the book were very well written and really got me engaged in this book.
(B.) This book is very appropriate because it has really great elements to make it a strong biography. The setting takes place during the 1800s. It starts during the time of the brother’s births and then the story discusses their lives as they get older. I personally really enjoyed this book because I thought the author wrote the setting wonderfully and really brought you back to that time period. I thought that the brothers were very well portrayed and the author really showed the differences between the two of them.
(C.) I personally really liked the part of the book where the author goes into the brothers personal issues. He discusses the time in their lives when Edwin tries to destroy John’s theatrical career. I found it very interesting because it gives you a different insight to them as brothers. It makes you think about their relationship and it also helps you understand some of their other issues.
4. I think as a disclaimer I have to admit that I am a history nerd, so I really loved this book. Before reading this book I only really knew a little information about John Wilkes Booth, I didn’t even know that he had a brother. I loved learning about their relationship and their background. I think that this would be a good book for children to read because it gives them more information about a character that they really don’t know about it. All I knew about John Wilkes Booth was that he shot President Lincoln. I learned so much more about him and his brother and it really helped me better understand him and the history during the time they lived. I think students should read this to help them better understand this time in American history and these two very famous brothers.

[Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: This biography of Edwin and John Wilkes Booth follows the two brothers from their childhood spent chasing after their alcoholic actor father to the assassination to the death of first John Wilkes and finally Edwin, much later. It shows Edwin to be a patriotic, upstanding, and quite famous character actor while his more handsome, more brash, more passionate brother persisted down a path of distruction.

Critique: Tone. This book has a decidedly anti-John Wilkes slant to it. While I also don't condone John Wilkes' action, this book makes no attempt to explain or delve into the origins of his mania or even note that many in the United States shared his opinions, if not his impetous. I wish that this book had looked more at how John Wilkes got to the point where he was so desperate as to assisinate the President. Instead, James Giblin prefers to compare the Angelic Edwin to the Evil John. For example, as Mr. Giblin narrates a breakfast fight over Lincoln's re-election he says, "John exploded in anger." While an equally angry Edwin,"issued an ultimatum to his brother." There's no descriptions of what must have been just as passionate emotion on the part of Edwin - just that he "told him [John] that he should go elsewhere."

Curricular Connections: Often, history is painted from one side only and while this book couldn't be listed as impartial, it does humanize to some extent one of America's most famous villans. In class, this book could be used to remind students that even the worst criminals have families who are tainted by crimes that they had no part in. In addition, this is an excellent resource for the timeline of the assassination. I would highly recommend it as a reference book.

[Natalie Varnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Biography
Summary: This is an extensive biography on two brothers: Edwin and John Wilkes Booth. This book serves to uncover and define John Wilkes Booth past his infamous murder as well as compare him to his less well-known brother.
a.) This book is very thorough and provides much information on the lives of Edwin and John Wilkes Booth.
b.) James Cross Giblin did his homework with researching the details of the brothers’ lives. Readers will learn who these two gentlemen are beyond the tragedy. This book seems more like a concentrated textbook rather than a biography junior book. I wouldn’t recommend this book to elementary students. I feel this book is better suited for middle school.
c.) Before readers read Good Brother, Bad Brother, they may know what John Wilkes Booth had done but did not truly know who he was apart from that. Readers are probably unfamiliar with his brother Edwin Booth before reading this biography. This book goes through the life of both of the brothers highlighting their similarities and differences. The book speaks much about the importance of the theatre for both brothers especially for Edwin. “The Booth Theatre had become the center of Edwin’s life.”(p. 179) The book sheds much light on how John Wilkes Booth infamous act had a detrimental effect on the Booth’s family name and life (particularly Edwin’s). This book is very informative and seems to provide more information on Edwin than it does John Wilkes Booth. It is very text heavy and may be unsuitable for elementary students.
Curriculum Connection:
This book would be a great reference book to gain research information on either brother. This book could be used for students that are doing a research paper on biographical person.

[Kelsey Borchers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book as my biography. The source is the textbook on page 274. This is the story of Edwin Booth and John Wilkes Booth. The text discusses the time leading up to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and how these two men, one in particular, played an important role in the history of our nation. I learned a lot more about the Civil War and how John had a love for the Confederacy. The biography tells of John and his conspirators thought process in assassinating the president of the United States. Interestingly enough the book also talks about the impact that this act had on Booth's family and search of the police to bring these men to justice. The setting is accurately portrayed during the tumultuous time in American history. This helps to build the background for the development of the characters in the book. The events that take place in this book are accurate and help the reader to understand the characters. These two men are worthy of a biography and it is interesting to read about someone who has had such an impact on our country. The style of the book is definitely one to keep the reader reading and it is interesting. The author does present the characters in a non biased fashion, which can be difficult because of the acts of one of the characters. The author is credible because he has researched extensively about his characters and provides sources for information in the back of the book. Overall a great biography that reads like a story! I would definitely recommend this book for students in upper elementary school and middle school.

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Biography; Junior Book

Summary: This book accounts the life of the infamous John Wilkes Booth and his brother Edwin Booth. In the text of this book the reader discovers there are vast similarities and differences between these two brothers.

A. As a biographical novel, the reader expects the book to be well researched and truthful, which this book most absolutely is.

B. The reader learns an immense amount of information about John and Edwin booth. John was much more erratic, whereas Edwin was a more somber and level headed man. Also, the reader gets a glimpse into what it may have been like at the time of the Civil War, where family members were really feuding against one another. For example, Edwin was on the side of the Union, while John was a Confederate.

C. The reader doesn't have to second guess the information given in this novel for the author uses direct quotes from first hand accounts. For instance, he notes that he checked the actual historical records of particular accounts he describes.

Curriculum Connection: This book would be a gem to use in the social studies context. The novel is in itself a teaching tool for the student to read to learn about the Civil War, U.S. History, and the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

[Luann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a "joint biography of the Booth brothers, played out against the backdrop of the Civil War." Pair this with Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman for two perspectives on an interesting and tragic time in American history.

This was very well written and thoroughly researched. I really liked the contrast shown between the two brothers. I felt a lot of sympathy for John Wilkes Booth's family, who were as shocked and horrified as everyone else at the assassination. Their lives were forever affected by the choices of their brother and son. I also learned a lot about the theater during this time in American history. Many photographs of the brothers and the Booth family are included.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

RFL 2012 This was interesting. I had always heard that John Wilkes Booth was a famous actor of the time, but I never realized it was a family business or exactly how famous he was. To put the whole thing in perspective consider if Luke Wilson assassinated President Obama. How would Owen Wilson and his family survive and he continue a successful career in acting after a famous younger brother did such a horrible crime? It is definitely written at a young adult level with an easy flow and little vocabulary or historical explanations to clear up little bits that may not be familiar to young adults. Students may find a lot of the theatrical description dry, but as a theater person I enjoyed hearing about the theaters, costumes, reviews, and roles.

[Gable Holyoak · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first heard of President Lincoln's assassination,I thought John Wilkes Booth was a killer by heart, and that he had never shown a good deed in his life. I never thought of his family, or how he affected their lives forever. I did not know about Edwin Booth, John's actor brother who was very famous in the 1860's. This book gave me insight to the life of the Booth brothers, and how they each affected each other. Edwin was Union, John was Confederate, and yet they lived under the same roof and were brothers. I recommend this book for anyone who would like to see the Booth family's life before the Lincoln assassination. It was brilliant, and I enjoyed all the interesting facts.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone knows that John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln, the repercussions of which our country still suffers from. Edwin, one of John Wilkes’ older brothers, and fellow actor lived a somewhat different life from his brother’s and reacted drastically different to the Civil War. This book gives fascinating bits of info (i.e. the Booth father was a strict vegetarian and would not even let animals be killed on their Maryland farm) with seamless interweaving of the brothers’ lives and close knit family.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is much better than I thought it would be. I am NOT big on non-fiction at all, so I almost dreaded it. However, it is interesting to discover the life of John Wilkes Booth, and his family, before he became infamous for being the first man to ever kill a president. It made me realize that it's rare that we think of people like Booth as having families. They are more known for their actions.

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This biography traces the lives of Edwin and John Wilkes Booth starting with their father, an actor, who made some questionable life choices, like leaving a wife and child in England and forgetting all about them in America, so he could start a new family. This is an interesting take on the subject of Johnn Wilkes Booth. This is also a good read for those interested in 19th century American theatre. There are plenty of pictures including contemporary photographs and engravings.

[Aubree · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a unique perspective on a subject that I am fascinated with. It's a good, easy read instead of a convoluted history book. My only complaint is that every once in a while there were some poorly written, juvenile sentences that reminded me that this isn't a scholarly book, but was written for a younger audience. If you are at all interested Lincoln's assassination, I recommend this book.