Lincoln’s Assassins

McFarland books are hamstrung by their price and often times their lack of production value: poor maps, illustration, ect.

However, I do have the pleasure to recommend a McFarland book (a 2 Volume Set) that I feel is worth the cost. Lincoln’s Assassins: A Complete Account of Their Capture, Trial, and Punishment, by Roy Z. Chamlee is an exhaustive and informative study of the capture, trial and execution of the Lincoln assassins. The book probes the background and character of everyone involved, and brings to light the controversy and suspension surrounding the events. Chamlee’s research includes War Department files, pretrial and trial testimony, newspaper accounts and manuscript collections including the words of powerful Cabinet members, generals, politicians and others.

How does it compare to works like Lincoln’s Assassins: Their Trial and Execution (Paperback) by James L. Swanson and Daniel Weinberg, I do not know as I have not read their presentation. The price difference is significant. However, I can tell you that Chamlee’s study is over 600 pages, includes 2 books, and theirs is a meek 160 pages in a single book. Given what I have seen and the sheer size difference, Chamlee’s study is comprehensive and should be your first purchase.

As a teacher I would highly recommend Chamlee’s exhaustive study.