Bloody Crimes

Bloody Crimes (2010) by James Swanson. The full title of this book is Bloody Crimes: The Chase for Jefferson Davis and the Death Pageant for Lincoln's Corpse. It brings to life a piece of American history by comparing and contrasting Lincoln and Davis, the presidents, respectively, of the United States and the Confederacy during the Civil War. It is exceptionally well written and researched. Facts both personal and historical about both men help to illuminate a crucial period in American history, and Swanson's descriptions of Lincoln's final journey, in particular, bring back the horror and the tragedy of his assassination right on the cusp of victory. It is not a melancholy book, however, keeping everything in historical perspective as it does. It's a history book that reads (for the most part) like a novel, and I really enjoyed it. Grade: A-