Decisive Moments in History: The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the Manhunt for John Wilkes Booth

Nonfiction, History, Americas, United States, Civil War Period (1850-1877), 19th Century
Cover of the book Decisive Moments in History: The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the Manhunt for John Wilkes Booth by Charles River Editors, Charles River Editors
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Charles River Editors ISBN: 9781475316094
Publisher: Charles River Editors Publication: July 12, 2012
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Charles River Editors
ISBN: 9781475316094
Publisher: Charles River Editors
Publication: July 12, 2012
Imprint:
Language: English
*Includes over 25 pictures of Booth, Lincoln, and other important people, places, and events. *Includes a Table of ContentsIn the 19th century, the Scottish writer Thomas Carlyle famously wrote, "The history of the world is but the biography of great men", popularizing the Great Man theory that the course of history is shaped by a select few heroic individuals. While historians and others continue to debate the accuracy of the Great Man theory of history, there is no question that the course of history is permanently altered by decisive moments in time, where a different result would have produced drastically different outcomes. Charles River Editors Decisive Moments in History examines the events that changed history forever and set the world down the path it finds itself on today. Until April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth was one of the most famous actors of his time, and President Abraham Lincoln had even watched him perform. But his most significant performance at a theater did not take place on the stage. That night, Booth became one of historys most infamous assassins when he assassinated President Lincoln at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.Booth was a member of the prominent 19th century Booth theatrical family from Maryland and, by the 1860s, was a well-known actor. But he was also a Confederate sympathizer who dabbled in espionage, and he was increasingly outraged at the Lincoln Administration. Although Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia had surrendered days earlier, Booth believed the war was not yet over because Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston's army was still fighting the Union Army, so he and his group of conspirators plotted to kill Lincoln and other top officials in a bid to decapitate the federal government and help the South.Perhaps not surprisingly, the actors flair for the dramatic came at a cost to the plot. It took almost no time for the shocked public and the federal government to begin unraveling Booths conspiracy, which had mostly faltered from the beginning. Following the shooting, Americas most famous manhunt commenced, which itself became the stuff of legends. After the shooting, during which it is believed he broke his leg, Booth fled south on horseback, with authorities hot on his tail. 12 days later, while he was at a farm in rural northern Virginia, Booth was tracked down and shot by Boston Corbett, a Union soldier who acted against orders. Eight others were tried for their alleged involvement in the plot and convicted, and four were hanged shortly thereafter as a result of some of the nations most famous trials.Decisive Moments in History: The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the Manhunt for John Wilkes Booth covers the origins of Booths plot, the assassination, and the eventual capture and killing of Booth, while assessing the aftermath and analyzing the what ifs. Along with pictures of the important people and places, you will learn about the Lincoln assassination and the manhunt for Booth like you never have before, in no time at all.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
*Includes over 25 pictures of Booth, Lincoln, and other important people, places, and events. *Includes a Table of ContentsIn the 19th century, the Scottish writer Thomas Carlyle famously wrote, "The history of the world is but the biography of great men", popularizing the Great Man theory that the course of history is shaped by a select few heroic individuals. While historians and others continue to debate the accuracy of the Great Man theory of history, there is no question that the course of history is permanently altered by decisive moments in time, where a different result would have produced drastically different outcomes. Charles River Editors Decisive Moments in History examines the events that changed history forever and set the world down the path it finds itself on today. Until April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth was one of the most famous actors of his time, and President Abraham Lincoln had even watched him perform. But his most significant performance at a theater did not take place on the stage. That night, Booth became one of historys most infamous assassins when he assassinated President Lincoln at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.Booth was a member of the prominent 19th century Booth theatrical family from Maryland and, by the 1860s, was a well-known actor. But he was also a Confederate sympathizer who dabbled in espionage, and he was increasingly outraged at the Lincoln Administration. Although Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia had surrendered days earlier, Booth believed the war was not yet over because Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston's army was still fighting the Union Army, so he and his group of conspirators plotted to kill Lincoln and other top officials in a bid to decapitate the federal government and help the South.Perhaps not surprisingly, the actors flair for the dramatic came at a cost to the plot. It took almost no time for the shocked public and the federal government to begin unraveling Booths conspiracy, which had mostly faltered from the beginning. Following the shooting, Americas most famous manhunt commenced, which itself became the stuff of legends. After the shooting, during which it is believed he broke his leg, Booth fled south on horseback, with authorities hot on his tail. 12 days later, while he was at a farm in rural northern Virginia, Booth was tracked down and shot by Boston Corbett, a Union soldier who acted against orders. Eight others were tried for their alleged involvement in the plot and convicted, and four were hanged shortly thereafter as a result of some of the nations most famous trials.Decisive Moments in History: The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the Manhunt for John Wilkes Booth covers the origins of Booths plot, the assassination, and the eventual capture and killing of Booth, while assessing the aftermath and analyzing the what ifs. Along with pictures of the important people and places, you will learn about the Lincoln assassination and the manhunt for Booth like you never have before, in no time at all.

More books from Charles River Editors

Cover of the book Patronage by Charles River Editors
Cover of the book Unhappy Far-Off Things by Charles River Editors
Cover of the book The Red One by Charles River Editors
Cover of the book Heracles by Charles River Editors
Cover of the book A History of the Germanic Empire by Charles River Editors
Cover of the book Mere Girauds Little Daughter by Charles River Editors
Cover of the book An Indian Winter, or with the Indians in the Rockies by Charles River Editors
Cover of the book The Orison Swett Marden Collection by Charles River Editors
Cover of the book Tales of Men and Ghosts (Illustrated) by Charles River Editors
Cover of the book The Corsair: A Tale by Charles River Editors
Cover of the book The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers by Charles River Editors
Cover of the book Battles and Leaders of the Civil War: The Invasion of Maryland (Illustrated) by Charles River Editors
Cover of the book Three Years among the Comanches by Charles River Editors
Cover of the book Ideas of Good and Evil (Illustrated) by Charles River Editors
Cover of the book Record of the Military Service of Colonel Benjamin Goldthwaite a Provincial Soldier by Charles River Editors
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy