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" Well written and enjoyable book. I recommend this one to those who enjoy reading about our civil war. "
- John, 1/20/2014
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" I loved Swanson's previous title, Manhunt. Bloody Crimes is well-written and a very interesting look at Lincoln's death and subsequent funeral and transport back to Illinois. It also alternates the story by tracking the flight of Confederate president Jefferson Davis. The stories are interesting and included a fair amount of information I had not read before. Bloody Crimes lacks the intensity and drama of Manhunt, but Swanson still is a very good storyteller. I recommend it for history buffs, Civil War in particular. "
- Anne, 1/12/2014
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" An enthralling audio book that tells the stories of Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln with style and grace. I gained a lot more respect for Davis then I had before and learned a few things about Lincoln I didn't know. It made me want to go back and listen to Manhunt to fill in the gaps of the story only hinted at here. Richard Thomas did a decent job as the narrator though it was a very dry reading of the book. "
- Jacqueline, 1/9/2014
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" So I loved the first book by Mr Swanson so I was so excited for this one. It was very slow and the content just wasn't very interesting to me. I was good to know a little more about Jefferson Davis but outside of that nothing to great. "
- Spence, 1/9/2014
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" James L. Swanson knocked it out of the park again! "
- Joel, 1/1/2014
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" I am so glad I am done with this book. I picked it up for a history book review thinking it would be interesting. It was, to a point. I can only read so much about Lincoln's funeral train. He wasn't even alive for it, and it was all the same. The only reason I gave it two stars was because the half about Jefferson Davis was intriguing. He's a Civil War figure you never hear much about. "
- Rachel, 12/31/2013
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" A poignant and heartbreaking recounting of the final ends of two of America's greatest leaders. This book is a fast read, in spite of its scholasticism. I strongly recommend it. "
- Cassondra, 12/21/2013
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" Yes, I know that I have been reading a lot of books about dead Presidents lately, but I couldn't resist this one when I saw it in the library. This book is a juxtaposition of two stories. The first is an account of the final two weeks of Abraham Lincoln's presidency, his assassination, and the 20 days from his death until his burial in Springfield, Illinois. The second is the tale of the chase for the President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, from when he fled Richmond on April 2, 1865 until his capture in Georgia the next month. These stories are told in parallel lines and the chapters jump back and forth between the account of the Lincoln funeral train and the hunt for Jefferson Davis. As Lincoln's train headed north making numerous stops along the way where his casket was paraded through city after city and opened at each stop so that a grieving nation could pay honor to his rapidly deterioring embalmed corpse, Jefferson Davis headed south trying to evade Union troops who were searching for him and trying to escape across the Mississippi River, to Cuba, or to Mexico. An interesting account of the end of the Civil War and the elevation of two men. Lincoln, because of his assassination became a secular saint, and Jefferson Davis, imprisoned for two years and then released on parole to prevent him from becoming a martyr became the living symbol of the South's lost cause. Rich in detail, this book captures the mood of the country, in both the north and the south, at the end of the long and bloody Civil War. "
- Judy, 12/21/2013
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" Swanson seamlessly weaves the intertwined search for Jeff Davis and the public mourning of Lincoln in his second book. Well worth the read for no other reason than its thoughtful depiction of Jeff Davis as equally devoted to his political beliefs as Lincoln was. "
- Phyllis, 12/10/2013
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" A bit of a slog, actually. I enjoyed Manhunt, though. "
- Kelly, 11/30/2013
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" I feel smarter for having read Bloody Crimes, but it was a slog at times. I probably wouldn't recommend it to anyone who wasn't keenly interested in Civil War history, and even then I would steer them to Swanson's Manhunt first. "
- Kristin, 11/5/2013
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" A perfect follow up to a great book. "
- Larry, 8/11/2013
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" Excellent insight into Lincoln's funeral procession throughout the Union and the hunt for Davis. This book delves into many areas that are not discussed with the "weekend" Civil War buff. I highly recommend this book and author "
- Tracey, 1/20/2013
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" A unique look at the two men who defined our nation during the Civil War, their deaths and legends and interesting look at how we view both of these men today. The conversational and narrative style of the writer made this book easy to read and at times hard to put down. "
- Jamie, 12/6/2012
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" Good detail...I liked Manhunt better. "
- Deb, 8/22/2012
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" This was not quite as good as his earlier book, Manhunt, but still interesting. "
- Sheila, 5/5/2012
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" This book seems like a compendium of previous books written by the author. I've not read its predecessors, and enjoyed this one, it covered the two presidents who existed during the Spring of 1865. I learned a little about the subject. "
- George, 4/10/2012
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" A lot of info I wasn't aware of, especially the bio data on Jefferson Davis. "
- Dad, 4/3/2012
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" Very informative. Occasionally Blah-boring. Varina Davis! "
- Keith, 9/1/2011
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" Kind of an odd book, rather like two books crammed into one. The two topics are pretty interesting and I was amazed by the heights of mourning that were held for Lincoln. "
- Zazzu, 6/26/2011
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" Fascinating reading for history lovers.
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- Tori, 4/30/2011
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" I liked the book by the author concerning the chase of Booth a lot more.
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- Jim, 3/18/2011
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" Swanson makes history sexy. Period. I know what you are thinking: "Really, Nicci? Parallel journeys of Davis and Lincoln being entertaining AND informative? You have lost your marbles." But really I tell you--Swanson makes history sexy.
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- Nicole, 3/18/2011
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" Fascinating followup to Swanson's Manhunt.
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- Bernadette, 3/15/2011
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" I can't think of a book that is better researched. I thought it was fascinating to learn of the journey of Abraham Lincoln's corpse on its way to its final resting place. I learned alot about the confederate states and Jefferson Davis, as well.
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- Karen, 2/28/2011
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" Swanson seamlessly weaves the intertwined search for Jeff Davis and the public mourning of Lincoln in his second book. Well worth the read for no other reason than its thoughtful depiction of Jeff Davis as equally devoted to his political beliefs as Lincoln was.
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- Phyllis, 2/27/2011
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" Full of interesting details but the events are never particularly gripping or moving.
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- Brendan, 2/20/2011
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" Fascinating detail about Abe and Jeff.
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- Jim, 2/15/2011
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" Fascinating. Especially the part about how Lincoln went from a man to a saint overnight.
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- Francha, 2/10/2011
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