Fortune's Fool
The Life of John Wilkes Booth
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Oxford University Press Inc
Published:5th Apr '18
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This biography provides an in-depth look at John Wilkes Booth's life, exploring the complexities behind his shocking act of assassinating President Lincoln in Fortune's Fool.
When John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre, it shocked his friends and the nation alike. They were astonished not only by the murder itself but also by the realization that someone they knew as exceptionally talented, successful, and kind-hearted could commit such a heinous act. Fortune's Fool, the first biography of Booth, delves into the life of this complex and troubled individual.
On the fateful night of April 14, 1865, Booth's single shot from a concealed pistol forever changed the course of American history. The assassination stunned a nation emerging from the chaos of the Civil War, and Lincoln's untimely death had profound implications for the postwar era. For those who knew Booth, the event was even more bewildering, as they could hardly reconcile the image of a gifted actor and beloved figure with that of a cold-blooded murderer.
In Fortune's Fool, Terry Alford presents a comprehensive exploration of Booth's life, tracing his journey from a tumultuous childhood in Maryland to his rise as a celebrated actor. Alford paints a nuanced portrait of Booth, revealing his struggles with identity and loyalty to the Confederate cause. As the Confederacy crumbled, Booth's twisted rationale led him to believe that assassinating Lincoln was the only way to restore the South's honor. This richly detailed biography offers fresh insights into Booth's life and the events surrounding his infamous act.
Terry Alford's Fortune's Fool is a stunning achievement-it more than fills this decades-old lacuna Fortune's Fool is highly recommended to all audiences with an interest in Lincoln, the Civil War era, or biography in general It is difficult to imagine this not being the definitive biography of John Wilkes Booth for decades to come. * The North Carolina Historical Review *
As Alford's excellent book makes clear, Booth was a celebrity in his own right, and his high profile heightened the drama of the deed: imagine if Elvis Presley had assassinated President John F. Kennedy." -Foreign Affairs
Fortune's Fool is so deeply researched and persuasively argued that it should stand as the standard portrait for years... Readers will know how this story ended, but Mr. Alford's recounting of Booth's flight and the Army's manhunt is a tour de force of sustained drama, never losing its breakneck pace and offering startling revelations. * Harold Holzer, The Wall Street Journal *
A vivid, gripping portrait of the charming, impetuous, and troubled Booth, whose ill-fated and ultimately murderous path often seems to strangely echo the doomed Shakespearean characters he played on stage. * Library Journal *
The 'first full-length biography' of Abraham Lincoln's assassin offers much nuance and complexity to the killer ... Alford sifts through the more balanced, credible sources of those who knew Booth before the assassination to flesh out a surprisingly engaging portrait of the brilliant young actor and deeply riven sympathizer to the Southern cause ... Alford paints some intriguing shades of gray in this elucidating portrait. * Kirkus Reviews *
Exemplary... Alford's book examines Booth's movements and interactions in greater depth than any of its predecessors, drawing a clear picture of the psychological spiral that led to his plot to kidnap * and, when that failed, to killthe president.The Boston Globe *
Based on meticulous and exhaustive research, written in vivid prose spiced with wry humor, Terry Alford's Fortune's Fool is a tour de force by a masterful historian. This eagerly awaited biography exceeds the high expectations so long entertained by Civil War buffs, Lincolnians, and lovers of American history in general. * Michael Burlingame, author of Abraham Lincoln: A Life *
ISBN: 9780190697709
Dimensions: 226mm x 145mm x 33mm
Weight: 590g
464 pages