Blood on the Moon

The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln

Edward Steers, Jr.

Winner of the 2001 The Lincoln Group of New York's Award of Achievement

Narrated by William Coon

Available from Audible

Book published by University Press of Kentucky

The assassination of Abraham Lincoln is usually told as a tale of a lone deranged actor who struck from a twisted lust for revenge. This is not only too simple an explanation; Blood on the Moon reveals that it is completely wrong. John Wilkes Booth was neither mad nor alone in his act of murder. He received the help of many, not the least of whom was Dr. Samuel Alexander Mudd, the Charles County physician who has been portrayed as the innocent victim of a vengeful government. Booth was also aided by the Confederate leadership in Richmond. As he made his plans to strike at Lincoln, Booth was in contact with key members of the Confederate underground, and after the assassination these same forces used all of their resources to attempt his escape. Noted Lincoln authority Edward Steers Jr. introduces the cast of characters in this ill-fated drama, he explores why they were so willing to help pull the trigger, and corrects the many misconceptions surrounding this defining moment that changed American history.

Edward Steers, Jr. is the author of several books about Lincoln, including The Trial.

REVIEWS:

“If you are going to read only one book on the Lincoln assassination, this is the one! ”

—James M. McPherson, author of Battle Cry of Freedom

“An exceptionally well-written and thorough book on the assassination. For anyone who is sincerely interested in the assassination, this book is a 'must read.' ”

—Historian

“Steers has written a careful synthesis of what is known about Lincoln's murder. ”

—New York Review of Books

“This should be the end-all of Lincoln assassination books. ”

—Louisville Courier-Journal

“An essential part of a Lincoln library. Besides being the definitive work on the depressing events of April 1865, it is a unique source for refuting the misinformation, myths and lies that have grown up around them. ”

—America's Civil War

“The quality of research and the skillful presentation of the story of Lincoln’s assassination will lead you well beyond the superficial facts that we've all been taught and into the depths of the conspiracy and the aftermath of John Wilkes Booth's world-shattering deed at Ford’s Theater. ”

—Lexington Herald-Leader

“Steers has a sharp ear for historical discordance and a novelist’s eye for illuminating detail.... . Provocative reading. ”

—Publishers Weekly

“Fascinating.... The best account we have of the fateful event that did so much to change the course of American history. ”

—Bowling Green Daily News