New York Times Bestselling Killing Lincoln is a thrilling read. Authors Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard take what we all know — that the beloved American President Abraham Lincoln was killed by the fiendish John Wilkes Booth — and venture deeper, presenting fascinating and little-known tidbits about the assassination. The writing duo both entertains and educates with a fast pace, easy readability and pleasing layout. Readers may especially enjoy the conspiracy theories regarding the event (Did you know there is controversy surrounding Lincoln’s passing? I sure didn’t!) Upon finishing Killing Lincoln, I found myself sharing and enjoying much of my newly acquired historical knowledge with family and friends. 

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language: 5 religious exclamations, 15 mild obscenities, 6 religious profanities, 3 derogatory names

Violence/Gore: Threatening letters are sent to the president; numerous reports of violence come from the battlefield; numerous incidents of violence including a pistol whipping, being thrown from a carriage, shot and fighting in battle. Destruction of supply wagons and cities take place. Multiple non-detailed scenes of violent death occur in battle and from bombings. There is a few mentions of injuries involving blood and gore; numerous scenes of intense violence take place, including the Battle at Sayer’s Creek and its close range fighting, the Seward attack, and Lincoln’s assassination.

Sex/Nudity: Sexual references regarding concubines and slave rape; a few implied occurrences of sexual activity involving prostitutes and whorehouses; one brief mention of sexual activity without explicit details between adults. 

Mature Subject Matter:

War, racial prejudice, racial inequality, death, assassination, slavery

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Frequent smoking and drinking