Indiana. Moonlight falls through the dense woods that surround a one-room cabin, where a nine-year-old Abraham Lincoln kneels at his suffering mother's bedside. She's been stricken with something the old-timers call "Milk Sickness."
"My baby boy..." she whispers before dying.
Only later will the grieving Abe learn that his mother's fatal affliction was actually the work of a vampire.
When the truth becomes known to young Lincoln, he writes in his journal, "henceforth my life shall be one of rigorous study and devotion. I shall become a master of mind and body. And this mastery shall have but one purpose..." Gifted with his legendary height, strength, and skill with an ax, Abe sets out on a path of vengeance that will lead him all the way to the White House.
While Abraham Lincoln is widely lauded for saving a and freeing millions of slaves, his valiant fight against the forces of the undead has remained in the shadows for hundreds of years. That is, until Seth Grahame-Smith stumbled upon The Secret Journal of Abraham Lincoln, and became the first living person to lay eyes on it in more than 140 years.
Using the journal as his guide and writing in the grand biographical style of Doris Kearns Goodwin and David McCullough, Seth has reconstructed the true life story of our greatest president for the first time-all while revealing the hidden history behind the Civil War and uncovering the role vampires played in the birth, growth, and near-death of our nation.
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"This book was good. However it took me a very long time to read this may be because of the bio information that the story is entwined within. I did really enjoy and would recommend to anyone of my different genre reading friends. Made me more than once sit and ponder the information."
— Kimberly (4 out of 5 stars)
“Grahame-Smith could be poised to become the Howard Zinn of vampire-related alterna-history.”
— Vanity Fair“This book is a clever evocation that reveals ‘the truth’ about Honest Abe as uncovered in a hitherto unknown journal written by Lincoln himself.”
— AudioFile“Grahame-Smith’s breezy narrative style makes this a quick and easy read guaranteed to tickle the funny bone.”
— Booklist“The book’s grotesque joviality should be fun for those looking for it.”
— Kirkus Reviews“Filled with dark humor and wit, the fast-reading narrative deftly and imaginatively interweaves true facts with gothic underpinnings and slash-‘em-up action.”
— School Library Journal" I will post thoughts tomorrow. But it was fun to read. "
— Katie, 2/18/2014" The concept of the book sucked me in. The violence turned me off to it. I had to skip a lot. I wished that the ending had included to some reference to the beginning and brought everything full circle. "
— Della, 2/10/2014" Presented a whole new angle. Made me want to go back and study history again! "
— Rosemary, 2/1/2014" I was surprised how much I enjoyed this. I think there were enough historical references that it kept me interested. It made me want to read more about Lincoln and his contemporaries. It was a tad gory, but not enough to turn me off. "
— Zippy, 1/31/2014" I don't know why, but I thought this would be funny. Maybe because I thought it was such a preposterous plot. So, as long as I throw reason aside and not expect a laugh, it was still a fast-paced, interesting read. "
— Heather, 1/14/2014" this beat the Snot out of the movie read this B4 you see the flick! Loved it "
— iblogmoore, 1/10/2014" I must admit, I had my doubts...but this book really impressed me. It was much better than I was expecting it to be. "
— Suzanne, 1/8/2014" I'm gonna go ahead and give it 5 stars. Why not? It was a fun read. "
— Sarah, 1/8/2014" I did not believe I would enjoy it as much as I did. I was pleased at how it was written. It had a great story to it. Definitely one I did not want to put down. I felt so sorry for Abe. Just so much death all around him. "
— Mandi, 1/5/2014" Not a bad tale. I found the history part interesting, and it's a pretty good horror tale. Worth reading if you like history or horror/vampire stories. Or if you just need a decent book to occupy your time. "
— Andi, 1/3/2014" I wanted to like it and loved the "historical" aspect of it. But in the end I put it down and didn't finish it. "
— Chuck, 12/29/2013" Very suprisingly good. As a history buff, I was suprised how well the author used historical facts to make the story seam like it fit in with real history. "
— Gregory, 12/27/2013" Unique & entertaining read "
— Jp, 12/23/2013" A fun read, as long as you remember it's fiction :) "
— Brandice, 12/19/2013" Although I tried Pride and Prejudice and Zombies I was not as thrilled with Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter. There was good history and interesting twist but really nothing that grabbed me. "
— Gayle, 10/7/2013" Enjoyed this so much "
— Heather, 3/26/2013" Funny stuff. Love the history mixed with the campy idea of vampires "
— Kris, 3/11/2013" I thought it was good. I was impressed with all the factual things that were weaved in so perfectly they seemed real. This story really is so well researched that you have no choice but to believe it. "
— Stephanie, 1/15/2013" I enjoyed the fresh concept mixed with a few facts of history. It was a good book to read to pass the time, but not earth shattering enough to recommend to others. "
— Valerie, 12/3/2012" Although I liked the premise, I think I might have preferred a different format. The fake biography seemed a little dry and I didn't get into the action as much as I wanted to. It was a little too witty and not quite bloody enough. "
— Andie, 9/3/2012" A compelling look at the evolution of an American icon that will have you questioning the lines between fact and fiction "
— Patrick, 5/28/2012" Thought a little gory for my taste ( what else could I expect?), it was really well written and very entertaining! At some points I found it difficult to see what we're actual events in Lincoln's life and what was fiction- I loved that! "
— Beth, 3/31/2012" I am probably the only person that did not enjoy this book. "
— Kellie, 2/24/2012" Trashy novelization of Lincoln's life if his entire existence and the civil war had been motivated by rampant vampirism. It was fun and diverting. Can't call it great, but it was an enjoyably escapist read. "
— Kent, 1/21/2012" Did not finish. Style of prose and journal writing too jarring and did not mesh. "
— Patrick, 8/19/2011" A fun easy read. I really enjoyed it. Although this is a work of fiction, since it is based on an actual historical figure and historical events, hopefully this book and others like it will bring a renewed interest in things such as history and anthropology to a new generation. "
— George, 7/22/2011" Really fun quick read. What an amazing man and to quote the author "for living a life that hardly needed vampires to make it incredible" :) "
— Rebecca, 5/23/2011" WONDERFUL BOOK! I recommend that everyone read this book... It is well written and has its ups and downs, like life! And the vampire hunting is great too! You know you want to read it! "
— Marc, 5/21/2011" Loved this book! Just finished reading it. Great use of history and introduction of vampires into history. Just a really unique book.<br/>Loved!!! "
— Katrin, 5/18/2011" One of the better vampire stories out there. On par with Salem's Lot, The Strain, The Passage. Can not wait for the film version! "
— John, 5/18/2011" I love Vampires! I love classic literature! I loathed this, couldn't even finish it. They're wildly popular for a reason though, I would definitely pick it up and decide for yourself, I think I'm in the minority opinion of this. "
— Jessica, 5/18/2011" Junk, a disgraceful vision of an iconic American. I read this just to see what the fuss was about. "
— Michael, 5/17/2011" Loved this book! Historical fact mixed with fiction... Made me question what I thought I knew! "
— Jamie, 5/17/2011" Ummmm... I don't know what to think about this. I guess I should say it is an entertaining read and the author has quite the imagination. It's not something I would venture to read again, but glad I read it before the movie screws it up. :D "
— Terrie, 5/17/2011" Great use of historical facts mixed very well with the fanciful to make this a believable, fun and interesting book. "
— Lg, 5/17/2011Seth Grahame-Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. In addition to adapting the screenplay for Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter, he also wrote Tim Burton’s film Dark Shadows. He lives in Los Angeles.
Scott Holst earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with an acting emphasis from San Diego State University. He has lived in Los Angeles since 1996 and has focused exclusively on voice-over work. A versatile voice-over actor, Scott was featured in the Warner Brothers animated film The Ant Bully. He has also been featured in many radio and television commercials. His video game and interactive work includes voicing Eugene for Whacked! and Senel Coolidge in Tales of Legendia. His narration work includes parts in The Million Dollar Challenge for the Discovery Channel and the audiobook Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith.