http://kentuckytravels.blogspot.com/2009/02/book-manhunt-twelve-day-chase-for.html
I REALLY loved Manhunt. In fact, I would easily rank it among my top five all time favorite books. Even at a whopping 500 pages, you still want more.
Swanson delivers the "more" with "Bloody Crimes".
Both books center around the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. In "Manhunt" Swanson gives an account of the hiding and traveling of John Wilkes Booth during and after the the events at Ford's Theatre. In "Bloody Crimes" we learn about the elaborate funeral of Lincoln and the movements of Confederate President Jefferson Davis after Lincoln's death, and the defeat of the South.
Before his death, Abe was asked about what should be done to the Confederate leaders when captured. In true Lincoln fashion, he basically suggests that they should be allowed to sort of slip away on their own. Even though Lincoln has passed away by the time Davis is captured, things still work out pretty OK for him.
Concerning the passing of Lincoln, many are mourning the great leader's death, and wanting be a part of his funeral. A train is used to transport his remains to several cities before getting him to his final resting place in Springfield. Along the way many tributes are made, and some cities get a bit competitive, trying to outdo other cities in their funeral related displays. Many areas also compete to be a stopping point for the train.
In the book's prologue, Swanson draws a very interesting picture of the two Presidents, and how each left their office prematurely. Both had sons who died while each served in their respective White Houses. There are some interesting parallels.
I have always personally been a huge Lincoln fan, but I have to admit that I am developing some respect for Davis. Maybe saying that isn't exactly PC these days, but he is no doubt a fascinating character. Swanson makes it clear that he was an admired political figure even before the Civil War, and with a few small changes in political maneuvering, he may have been a legitimate contender for the title of 16th President.
Swanson mentions that he didn't want to repeat material from "Manhunt" in this book, but he still needed to cover certain events again. He tries to tell parts of the story (especially concerning Ford's Theatre) in a different way. He compares this to making a movie sequel by shooting scenes from a first movie at a different angle. As a reader, I really appreciated this. The story is still the same, but it is not rehashed. You are definitely getting more to the story.
Swanson does a great job of giving these characters personality. In "Manhunt", Booth's ego really comes through. He refuses to give up and quit, thinking that he has done something heroic. He comes off as very cocky.
In "Bloody Crimes" Jefferson Davis also comes off as someone refusing to give up because they believe in their cause, but he seems more humble in many ways. His love of family and the South are emphasized, as is his willingness to give up everything for the cause. At one point, he gives away his last coin to a mother who tells him that she named her son after him. Davis also tries to keep the Confederacy alive, after it is obviously defunct. Even if you are not a fan of Davis as a historical figure, you can understand him better as a human.
I could actually go on and on about how much I have enjoyed the Swanson books. Both are must reads and get my highest recommendation. I think any book crediting the author as James L. Swanson is worth a read.
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