Cover Image

Bloody times : the funeral of Abraham Lincoln and the manhunt for Jefferson Davis

by Swanson, James L., 1959-

Format: Print Book 2011
Availability: Available at 2 Libraries 2 of 2 copies

Available (2)
Location Collection Call #
Northland Public Library Children's Biography J B LINCOLN
Location  Northland Public Library
 
Collection  Children's Biography
 
Call Number  J B LINCOLN
 
 
Pleasant Hills Public Library Young Adult Teen 973.7 S72
Location  Pleasant Hills Public Library
 
Collection  Young Adult
 
Call Number  Teen 973.7 S72
 
 

Summary

New York Times bestselling author James L. Swanson brings to life the fast-paced, suspense-filled story of Abraham Lincoln's and Jefferson Davis's final journeys through our wounded nation following the Civil War. This middle grade nonfiction book is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 7 to 8, especially during homeschooling. It's a fun way to keep your child entertained and engaged while not in the classroom.

This suspense-filled true-crime thriller--the young readers' adaptation of Swanson's Bloody Crimes--explores two epic events of the Civil War era: the manhunt to apprehend Confederate president Jefferson Davis in the wake of Abraham Lincoln's assassination and the momentous 20-day funeral pageant that brought President Lincoln's body from Washington, DC to his home in Springfield.

Full of fascinating twists and turns, and lavishly illustrated with dozens of rare historical images, Bloody Times captures the riveting stories of these two fallen leaders who changed the course of history. It's perfect for young readers who enjoy dramatic nonfiction tales from the likes of Steve Sheinkin and Patricia McCormick.

This book contains a note from the author, a glossary, a list of important Civil War figures, and a guide to visiting the historic sites mentioned within. A companion to the bestselling and highly acclaimed Chasing Lincoln's Killer.

Published Reviews
Booklist Review: "*Starred Review* The author of Chasing Lincoln's Killer (2009) offers a similarly trimmed-down version of his Civil War study for adult audiences (Bloody Crimes, 2010), and this outing turns out to be every bit as compelling as its predecessor. Swanson alternates passages following Jefferson Davis' six-week flight in the wake of General Lee's surrender, his quixotic attempts to rally the South, and his eventual capture with Abraham Lincoln's impromptu visit to newly occupied Richmond, Lincoln's assassination, and the elaborate mourning ceremonies held over his body as it was carried by train over a circuitous route back to Springfield. Those minutely described ceremonies awash in acres of black bunting, massively crowded public viewings, and sentimental expressions of grief may strike modern sensibilities as over the top, but they provide telling glimpses of another era and make more credible the author's insight that during the journey, Lincoln's train became a symbol of the cost of the Civil War, a mournful homecoming for the dead of both sides. The author also makes a strong case for Davis as Lincolnesque in his ability, strength of character, and commitment to his cause, a worthy statesman who also became (at least in the South) a symbolic figure while living quietly for a quarter century after the war. Though the period photos can be murky, and the adult edition's source notes have been replaced by a glossary, this fascinating twin study of two American icons will appeal to more than just Civil War buffs.--Peters, John Copyright 2010 Booklist"
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Additional Information
Subjects Lincoln, Abraham, -- 1809-1865 -- Death and burial.
Davis, Jefferson, -- 1809-1899 -- Captivity, 1865-1867.
Presidents -- United States -- Biography.
Presidents -- Confederate States of America -- Biography.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Peace.
Publisher New York :Collins,2011
Edition 1st ed.
Language English
Description 196 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
Bibliography Notes Includes bibliographical references (pages [189]-190).
ISBN 9780061560897 (hbk.)
0061560898 (hbk.)
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