Notes on My Recent Abduction is a study in perseverance
Written: Dec 01 '08 (Updated Dec 02 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good dialogue; nice transitions; provides resources for further study
Cons: Too long at times
The Bottom Line: Although this was an interesting read presenting a alternate view of an historic event, I would recommend this book to someone who has an interest in history.
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| poetchik's Full Review: V. A. Herbert - Notes on My Recent Abduction by A.... |
"Notes on My Recent Abduction by A. Lincoln 1864" is a novel based on John Wilkes Booth's plot to kidnap President Abraham Lincoln in 1864 or 1865. Booth's purpose in abducting Lincoln was to force the government to end the Civil War and allow Southern Secessionists to establish their own separate America; this would have lead to two separate Americas: The United States of America and the Confederate States of America.
By presenting a narrative account of Lincoln's kidnapping, this leads the reader on an journey of uncertainty and excitement as we worry about what will happen to Lincoln while he's captured.Lincoln is portrayed as caring, calm, a careful thinker and constantly Presidential, never showing fear even in the darkest times.
Prior to the story, the author states that this novel is a work of fiction based on the actual plot to kidnap Lincoln created by John Wilkes Booth. Next, the author provides background information on John Wilkes Booth and his motives for kidnapping Lincoln. After this, a map drawn by Lincoln is shown to reflect where Lincoln was during his abduction which lasted from March 31-April 29 1864.
The story begins with Lincoln and his wife traveling to the country when his carriage is surrounded by actor John Wilkes Booth and his gang.Lincoln and his wife are taken by surprise and the President demands that Booth and his men move so he can reach his destination but Booth refuses to move.When Lincoln demands to know why Booth wants kidnap him, Booth shoots Lincoln's chauffeur then threatens to kill him wife. Lincoln chooses to go with Booth so that his wife can live and Booth tells a member of his gang proceeds to take Mrs. Lincoln back to the Executive Mansion.
Next Lincoln is transferred from boat to horse to a checkpoint with the goal of using him as a pawn to end the war. Throughout his kidnapping, Lincoln encounters various Northerners who have experienced the effects of the war and although he knows they will not will, he does sympathize with them. There are also several points within the story where Lincoln's life is threatened not only by Booth and his gang, but also by Northerners who hate him and what he stands for.
Overall,the thing I enjoyed most about this book was that the author did a great job of alternating between what was happening to Lincoln and the actions and thoughts of those trying to save not only him. I liked how the author used first person when Lincoln describes his experinece and then uses the third person when referring to what others are doing to find the President. By shifting from first person to third person, this helps the reader become more involved in the story and more interested in how the story will end.
In addition, I liked that author wrote dialogue consistent with the way people spoke at during the late 1800s, used real landmarks and refered to people who served in Lincoln's White House during that time period. By using real characters, this leads the reader to want to know more about the people on which this novel was based.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
poetchik
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Member: Tamara Evans
Location: Huntsville,Alabama
Reviews written: 223
Trusted by: 7 members
About Me:
Graduate student,avid reader,library employee,sometime gamer,occasional photographer,extremely sarcastic/cynical.
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