Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer

The acclaimed and thrilling account of Abraham Lincoln's assassination and the twelve-day chase for John Wilkes Booth, winner of the Edgar Award and adapted into an acclaimed Apple TV+ Series

“A terrific narrative of the hunt for Lincoln’s killers that will mesmerize the reader from start to finish.”—Doris Kearns Goodwin

The murder of Abraham Lincoln set off the greatest manhunt in American history—a twelve-day true crime chase for the capture of John Wilkes Booth. From April 14 to April 26, 1865, the assassin led Union cavalry troops on a wild pursuit from the streets of Washington, D.C., across the swamps of Maryland, and into the forests of Virginia, while the nation, still reeling from the just-ended Civil War, watched in horror and sadness.

Based on rare archival materials, obscure trial transcripts, and Lincoln’s own blood relics, this award-winning work of American history is a fully documented, fascinating tale of murder, intrigue, and betrayal. A gripping hour-by-hour account told through the eyes of the hunted and the hunters, Manhunt is history as it’s never been read before.

This riveting work of historical nonfiction reveals:

• A Nation in Crisis: Witness the twelve days following the murder of Abraham Lincoln, as a country still reeling from the Civil War watches the greatest manhunt in American history unfold.
• The Assassin’s Escape Route: Follow John Wilkes Booth as he leads Union cavalry on a wild chase from Washington, D.C., across the swamps of Maryland, and into the forests of Virginia.
• Meticulous Research: Based on rare archival materials, obscure trial transcripts, and Lincoln’s own blood relics, this is a fully documented tale of murder and betrayal.
• A Nonfiction Thriller: Told as a gripping, hour-by-hour account through the eyes of both the hunted and the hunters, this is history as it’s never been read before.

The murder of Abraham Lincoln set off the greatest manhunt in American history. From April 14 to April 26, 1865, the assassin, John Wilkes Booth, led Union cavalry and detectives on a wild twelve-day chase through the streets of Washington, D.C., across the swamps of Maryland, and into the forests of Virginia, while the nation, still reeling from the just-ended Civil War, watched in horror and sadness.

James L. Swanson's Manhunt is a fascinating tale of murder, intrigue, and betrayal. A gripping hour-by-hour account told through the eyes of the hunted and the hunters, this is history as you've never read it before.

“This riveting hour-by-hour account of Lincoln’s assassination, Booth’s escape, and the pursuit that finally ran down and killed him is a truly remarkable narrative. Even those familiar with the story will find fascinating new details here.” - James McPherson

“Extraordinary . . . Brilliant . . . As gripping as any tightly scripted crime drama” - Boston Globe

“Brilliant! Absolutely haunting. . . . This historical book is almost impossible to put down.” - Patricia Cornwell

“A rousing good read . . . a fresh angle . . . Booth’s flawed, flamboyant characters pushes the tale along. . . . [Booth is] diabolically fascinating . . . Manhunt is a rattling good read. And it’s a surprisingly suspenseful one.” - USA Today

“Vividly rendered . . . plenty of drama and tantalizing what-ifs . . . Manhunt makes for a gripping read, all the more so because the events really happened. Even the most knowledgeable reader will feel the suspense of it.” - Washington Times

“James Swanson has written a terrific narrative . . . a triumphant book.” - Doris Kearns Goodwin

“Brilliant! Absolutely haunting. . . . This historical book is almost impossible to put down.” - Patricia Cornwell

“An action-adventure . . . infuse[d] with high drama. . . . A multifaceted chronicle.” - New York Times

“Vividly readable example of the you-are-there genre . . . managed with ‘CSI’ immediacy.” - Washington Post

“Told expertly . . . Swanson’s moment by moment account of the 12-day chase is compulsively readable.” - Wall Street Journal

“As gripping a page-turner as anything you’ll find on the mystery shelf . . . Riviting . . . Swanson makes the characters in this great American tragedy actually seem human. Even Booth comes across as viscerally real.” - Entertainment Weekly (Grade: A)

“A gripping page-turner . . . Riviting . . . Booth comes across as viscerally real.” - Entertainment Weekly (Grade: A)