American Gothic: The Story of America's Legendary Theatrical Family, Junius, Edwin, and John Wilkes Booth

by Gene Smith and Gene Smith

Book Overview

A biography of the theatrical family of which Lincoln assassin John Wilkes Booth was a member traces the rise of Junius Brutus Booth in the theater, Edwin's record-breaking performance of Hamlet, and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671767135
• ISBN13: 9780671767136
• Release Date: January 1992
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 286 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Absorbing theatrical biography.

As the two reviews below demonstrate, many people might read this book just to find out more about Lincoln's assassin. From the post-Civil War era to this day, "assassin" is the only translation of the name "Booth" that most people understand. But Gene Smith gives us the rest of the story of a theatrical "dynasty", and the depth of his research is amazing, at least in my opinion. Yes, there were other Booths besides John Wilkes, and other reasons for memorializing this family besides Presidential death. No one today remembers the father, Junius Brutus Booth, a wonderfully boisterous, crazy old drunk and ground-breaking actor who was adulated like a rock star in his time. Edwin and John, two out of the nine or ten (legitimate and illegitimate) progeny of JBB, surpassed their father, and Edwin has been called the greatest American tragedian who ever lived. Like any biographer, Mr. Smith puts flesh on these characters, with a particular eye toward trying to rehabilitate John. It is a lyrical, touching, sympathetic story full of little-known details: John's body finally being released to his mother from its secret basement hole for reburial in the family plot; Edwin burning his brother's theatrical trunk and every costume and prop in it, under the rueful eyes of a long-time servant; the spontaneous, disastrous collapse of the original Ford's Theater building, seemingly at the moment of the death of Edwin; a certain hummock in the median strip of a Virginia freeway, the site of the house on whose porch the "unfortunate" Johnny sucked his life away. But Mr. Smith doesn't really answer the question of why Johnny did it. His (purported) fiancee, Lucy Hale, was a Yankee. John's animus seemed to be directed at Lincoln himself rather than the U.S. Republic. Maybe it was partly theatrics and partly the family tendency toward insanity.

one of the most fascinating books I have ever read

Truly spellbinding, nicely paced, and perfect length. After you read this book you will be amazed at what is left out of the history classroom. Don't miss a chance to read it.

If only history classes were taught like this!

All I'd ever heard about was Booth the assassin of Lincoln. I had no idea he came from such a fascinating and talented family! So many details are given of his life and the lives of those surrounding this one event in history and yet his life is generally summarized in a few sentences. This book (and audio tape which I highly recommend) should be filmed and shown in schools, it's that interesting. Hearing it read brings up images as from the days of radio programs, only more rich in color and depth. I like this book so much I'm trying to find a copy. It must be better the second time around.

Spellbinding!

John Wilkes Booth is a demonic character in the minds of most Americans. I have always thought that there must have been more to his story than terrible madness. This narrative lets the reader into the lives of this fascinating family and share with them the horror and wrenching heartbreak that befell them when their most beloved brother committed this most dastardly act. John Booth was a real person with an incredible appeal. He was talented, kind, compassionate and passionate. He had many friends, admirers and followers. This book will take you back to 19th C Washington DC and have you know these bygone souls most feelingly.

WHAT YOUR HISTORY BOOKS NEVER MENTIONED.

THIS IS TRULY ONE OF THE MOST RIVETING, EYE-OPENING ACCOUNTS I HAVE EVER READ RELATED TO THAT FATEFUL NIGHT IN APRIL, 1865. OUR HISTORY BOOKS HAVE LEFT OUT A LOT OF THE DETAILS WHICH ARE SUPPLIED IN THIS ACCOUNT. HOW MANY OF YOU KNEW THAT JOHN WILKES BOOTH WAS CONSIDERED BY MANY TO BE THE BEST LOOKING MAN IN THE WORLD? HOW MANY OF YOU KNEW THAT THE WILKES FAMILY WAS THE EPITOME OF THEATRICAL EXCELLENCE FOR THAT TIME IN HISTORY? THESE FASCINATING FACTS AND MANY OTHERS ARE BROUGHT TO LIGHT IN THIS BOOK. ENJOY IT! I DID!