The Lincoln Murder Conspiracies

by William Hanchett

Book Overview

Clears up misconceptions spread by various conspiracy theories, recounts the factual evidence concerning Lincoln's assassination, and explains why such unproved theories have been so popular. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0252013611
• Release Date: September 1989
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press
• Length: 303 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.9" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Finally, Some Historical SANITY

I've had it with all these idiotic "conspiracy books" that flood the market. If it's not JFK, it's space aliens and "black helicopters" and sad to say, Abraham Lincoln is not imune to the lunacy. But for the SERIOUS student, here is a book that dispells all of the dribble concerning the assassination of our 16th president. The author takes on each of these wacked out theories and disects them. BRAVO! The most laughable ones concern the Vatican's involvement as well as the European bankers. When in doubt, blame the Catholic church or the rich was the montra in America during the late 1930's and '40's. I'm neither rich, nor Catholic, so I have no axe to grind. Oh, I'm sure the "believers" will continue this psychophantic devotion to blaming Stanton, Andrew Johnson, et al. But face it, Booth was a basket case and he destroyed any attempt at a peaceful reconstruction after the war. What really amazes me is how this hack actor managed to pull off the murder with such a motley collection of mental idiots and buffoons. Booth's derringer was of larger caliber than their collective I.Q. If you are tired of the nonsence of conspiracy theories and want to deal in solid fact, read this book.

An important contribution to Lincoln assassination study

Since the day Lincoln was assassinated, many theories have emerged about who was the mastermind behind the plot. Among the accused have been members of the Confederate government, including Jefferson Davis, the Catholic Church and members of Lincoln's own Cabinet.Hanchett examines these conspiracy theories and the people who put forward the theories in an attempt to find out if a higher authority, civil or religious, ordered John Wilkes Booth and his co-conspirators to kill Lincoln and members of his Cabinet. By examining each theory individually as well as the motives behind those who suggested the theories, Hanchett does an excellent job of refuting some of the more unlikely theories.