Bloody Crimes

By James L. Swanson,

Book cover of Bloody Crimes: The Chase for Jefferson Davis and the Death Pageant for Lincoln's Corpse

Book description

On the morning of April 2, 1865, Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy, received the telegram from General Robert E. Lee. There is no more time - the Yankees are coming. That evening, shortly before midnight, Davis boarded a train from Richmond and fled the capital. But in two weeks…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Bloody Crimes as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

April 1865 was one of the most consequential months in American history. After the fall of Richmond and Lee’s surrender to effectively end the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln was tragically assassinated while Jefferson Davis attempted to escape to keep the war effort alive.

I was riveted by the dual history of the American and Confederate presidents, as Swanson’s storytelling matches the drama, tension, and uncertainty of the moment.

From Louis' list on the deaths of American presidents.

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