Chasing Lincoln's Killer

BY JAMES L. SWANSON

Chasing Lincoln's Killer is an exciting novel filled with facts from the time period of Lincoln's assassination. You will learn a great deal about our 12th president, his family, as well as the hunt for his assassin.

Chasing Lincoln's Killer book cover
Photo of Abraham Lincoln

Key Facts about Chasing Lincoln’s Killer

  • Full Title: Chasing Lincoln’s Killer

  • Where Written: Washington, DC

  • When Published: 2008

  • Genre: Biography, History

  • Setting: Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia

  • Climax: John Wilkes Booth is discovered hiding in a tobacco barn in Virginia.

  • Antagonist: John Wilkes Booth


Need to Know

Who said this? Quotes to Know:

  • “That is the last speech he will ever give.”

  • “Before God, sir, I do not know this man; and I have never seen him and did not hire him to dig a gutter for me.”

  • “Think you better put Tad’s pistol away. I had an ugly dream about him.”

  • “Dear husband, you almost startle me by your great cheerfulness.”

  • “We want you, and we know who you are. Give up your arms and come out!”

  • “I’m not dead; send for a doctor, send for the police, close the house.”

  • A voice cried out from the president’s box, “Stop that man!”

Figurative Language: Be able to read an example from the text and identify the type of figurative language being used. Imagery, Personification, Simile, Metaphor, Hyperbole

Characterization: Know the difference between direct and indirect character traits. Know good traits to describe main characters.

  • Direct Character trait- ​Remember, a direct trait would be one where the text comes right out and tells the reader. For example, “Lincoln was a simple man.”

  • Indirect Character trait- ​This is when the author gives the reader clues about the character, but the reader has to make some inferences about the character based on the character thoughts, feelings, actions, and what the character is saying.

Comprehension:

  • Why was the fall of Richmond so important to the Union?

  • What made Ford’s Theatre a good place for Booth to do his evil deed?

  • Why did Booth wait for a specific point in the play to pull the trigger?

  • What does “Sic semper tyrannis!” mean?

  • What problems did Powell encounter when trying to assassinate Seward?

  • Who was the Dr. that treat Lincoln the night he was shot?

  • What was Atzerodt’s assignment in Booth’s plot?

  • Why did Edwin Stanton cut a lock of the President’s hair?

  • How did Powell finally get caught and arrested?

  • Where did Booth hide at Garrett’s farm?

  • What was Booth’s fate?