The Lincoln Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill America's 16th President - and Why It Failed

I wish all books were as well-written as this one. The writers kept us on a suspenseful journey that was indeed a page-turner. What I truly appreciated—and what most authors never think of doing—is that each time a distant or minor character is reintroduced, the authors gave us a quick, subtle reminder of who they were in the grand scheme of things. The little extra help does wonders in making the story memorable, easy to follow, and richer in our understanding. Couple that with not a single editorial error I could find, and as a reader, I am able to become thoroughly engrossed in the story.The story itself is an amazing one indeed, and highly supported with historical documents. While the authors provide limitations on the credibility of the stories, which naturally change over time, they also rather forcefully provide evidence to substantiate the primary story lines and likely the proper interpretation of the details as well.Just a wonderful book documenting a portion of Abraham Lincoln's history I knew nothing about, and which provides context, understanding, and humanity about that era.

Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch deliver a rousing story about the first assassination attempt on Abraham Lincoln and uncovers some insight into the early years of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency — including the first known female private investigator — in the process.The plot, which was largely formulated by The Knights of the Golden Circle (KGC), intended to kill the President-elect in Baltimore while traveling to his inauguration. Many of its members also advocated for secession, which was part of their larger intent to create a new country, known as the Golden Circle. This country would eventually be divided into 25 slave states, including Mexico, parts of South America, and the Caribbean.While not tackled in the book, the KGC had many notable members and sympathizers, including members of President James Buchanan's administration. With the exception of mentioning James Wilkes Booth (who later did assassinate the President), Meltzer and Mensch stick to those closest to the original plot.The most dubious of those men was Cypriano Ferrandini, a longtime barber who almost immediately began training militia to what the South equated to an onslaught against southern principles at the time. While some historians still argue whether or not Ferrandini played a central role in the pilot, Meltzer and Mensch place him front and center.By stirring together bits of history, memoirs, letters, and books, Meltzer and Mensch deliver a detailed account from the perspective of Lincoln, Pinkerton, Kate Wayne, and KGC members. The story is told as a tightly-written thriller, with short digestible chapters that keep the story moving forward.It’s not until Part IV, The Aftermath, that things begin to slow down and become a bit jumbled. In that final section, less critical to the assignation story, that the authors attempt to pack too much into too small of a space. The result reads like a postscript before the postscript — interesting but not nearly as compelling as the conspiracy story. Shortening it all to a single postscript might have been better.A very enjoyable, fast-paced read that sheds more light on President Lincoln, Allan Pinkerton, and Kate Wayne. Without their resolve, the history of the United States might be very different.

This was a very interesting and readable look at the many people of that time period. It introduced the reader to many other historical figures and how they all fit into a very trying, complicated period of U.S. history. I would highly recommend it to those interested in a different look at history than most of us got in school.

I have been a historian Lincoln follower since 1950 - born 1941 In Springfield Illinois. Yet the writer keeps my attention with his wonderful style and revealing facts.

This book is both, and I loved it.About two chapters in, I started to wonder about the accuracy of the book. It reads like a mystery novel, that hooks into the story right from the first page. I couldn't put it down and it's a long read. But I kept finding myself questioning the veracity of the story. I started googling reviews of the book by historians. I read in one review that the chapter involving John Conness in a plot to kidnap Lincoln was very much in doubt.I continued reading to the last and final page. Where was the part about Conness and the grand scheme to kidnap the president after the Civil War. In my confusion I googled, was Conness involved in a plan to kidnap President Lincoln. As it turns out there are two books, by different authors titled The Lincoln Conspiracy, and a third titled Lincoln Conspiracy. The 1977 book is about the Stanton Group, which included Conness and a group of radical Republicans who supposably planned a kidnaping along with John Booth. In the reviews of the book written by David Balsiger received low scores on the factualness of the story.The Lincoln Conspiracy by Meltzer is a well written page turner and get high marks for documentation. I loved the book and learned a lot about Lincoln, the man and the president, the events and anger that led up to the Civil War.Much of what was happening then is remarkably similar to the tensions we as a nation are seeing now, in 2021. The similarities are extremely disturbing.

My 12 year old enjoyed it.

Excellent read

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I was unaware of the background which was provided and I have recommended this book to a number of friends. Looking forward to reading the Washington conspiracy next.

I normally read fiction but when I saw the nonfiction about Lincoln even though I thought I new a great deal about the man I was wrong . It really is a must read ! I learned so much about him and about life in that time ! It was a great read :)

Well researched and a gripping narrative...learnt a lot from this book!