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Reviews
The Hour of Peril: The Secret Plot to Murder Lincoln Before the Civil War by Daniel Stashower
cook_memorial_public_library's review
5.0
A 2013 staff nonfiction favorite recommended by Stephen.
His review:
Americans know the many stories of President Lincoln and his assassination. How many know about assassination attempts after his election but before his inauguration? Not many, I am sure.
Daniel Stashower presents a âtrue crime storyâ version of which the first third of the book is about native Scotsman Allan Pinkerton, the first âdetective,â who was hired by the railroad owners to protect Lincoln on his railroad journey from Illinois to Washington D.C. for his inauguration in February 1861.
The story of Pinkerton and the âBaltimore Plotâ to assassinate Lincoln is quite compelling for history buffs and those interested in crime stories. A local connection is Pinkertonâs âCooperâ business in Dundee, IL and his detective agency based in Chicago. A good read.
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sthe%20hour%20of%20peril%20stashower__Orightresult__U1?lang=eng&suite=pearl
His review:
Americans know the many stories of President Lincoln and his assassination. How many know about assassination attempts after his election but before his inauguration? Not many, I am sure.
Daniel Stashower presents a âtrue crime storyâ version of which the first third of the book is about native Scotsman Allan Pinkerton, the first âdetective,â who was hired by the railroad owners to protect Lincoln on his railroad journey from Illinois to Washington D.C. for his inauguration in February 1861.
The story of Pinkerton and the âBaltimore Plotâ to assassinate Lincoln is quite compelling for history buffs and those interested in crime stories. A local connection is Pinkertonâs âCooperâ business in Dundee, IL and his detective agency based in Chicago. A good read.
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sthe%20hour%20of%20peril%20stashower__Orightresult__U1?lang=eng&suite=pearl
fictionfan's review against another edition
5.0
The President and the detective...
Abraham Lincoln has won the Presidential election and now, in early 1861, is about to undertake the journey from his home in Springfield, Illinois, to Washington for his inauguration. But these are troubled times, and the journey is complicated because of all of the different railroad companies that own parts of the route. One of the company owners hears of a plot to destroy his railroad to prevent Lincoln making it to Washington, and so he calls in the already famous private detective, Allan Pinkerton. But when Pinkerton starts to investigate, he becomes convinced that there is a deeper plot in the planning â to assassinate Lincoln before he is inaugurated. This book tells the story of Lincolnâs journey, the plot against him, and Pinkertonâs attempt to ensure his safe arrival in Washington.
Itâs written very much in the style of a true crime book, although it has aspects that fall as much into the category of history. Stashower focuses on three main aspects: a biographical look at Pinkerton and the development of his detective agency; the rising tensions in the still-new nation that would soon break out into full scale civil war; and Lincolnâs journey, and the plot against him.
The first section is mostly about Pinkerton, a man who started out as a political activist in his native Glasgow in Scotland until, perhaps to escape the authorities there, he emigrated to America with his young wife. I grew up knowing tales of the great American detective Pinkerton and his agents, but hadnât realised he was born and lived only three or so miles away from where I spent my childhood years, so that was an added point of interest for me; plus the authenticity shown in the little time that the book spends on Scotland and the political situation there (about which I know a fair amount) convinced me of the authorâs historical reliability. Once the story moves to America, Stashower shows us how this journeyman cooper gradually became a detective for hire, and then grew a business of many agents able to work undercover in all levels of society. Stashower discusses Pinkertonâs methods, his policy that âthe ends justify the meansâ, and the clients who called on him to prevent crimes if he could, or else bring the criminals to justice after the event.
Pinkerton was also ahead of his time in recognising the value of women detectives, though it was actually a woman, Kate Warne, who convinced him of this when she persuaded him to hire her. She went on to become one of his most trusted agents, and played a major role in the events covered by the book, all of which Stashower recounts most interestingly. If any biographers are out there looking for a subject, Iâd love to read a full bio of her life!
The focus then switches between Lincoln and Pinkerton, the one preparing for his journey, the other setting up his agents to infiltrate the pro-Secessionists in Baltimore, where the threat to Lincoln seemed to be greatest. The political background is woven into these two stories, with Stashower assuming some prior knowledge of the events leading up to the civil war on the part of his readers, but ensuring that he gives enough so that people, like me, whose understanding of that period is superficial and even sketchy donât get left behind.
Stashower tells us of the various people surrounding Lincoln, and their differing opinions on how he should meet the threat. Given that he had won the election on a minority of the vote, it was felt to be important that he should let people see and hear him, trying to win them over before he took office. This meant that the train journey became serpentine, looping and doubling back so that he could visit as many places as possible. To make matters worse from a security point of view, his advisors and he thought it was necessary to put out an itinerary in advance, so that the people, and unfortunately therefore the plotters, would know when and where they could get close to him. To get to Washington, he would have to go through Baltimore â a state then known as Mobtown and one that was considered likely to go over to the Confederacy side in the event of war. Despite the fact that we all know that Lincoln survived for a few more years, Stashower manages to build a real atmosphere of tension â we may know the outcome, but I certainly didnât know how or even if he would make it through Baltimore safely.
Meantime, Pinkerton and his agents take us undercover deep into the conspiracy to stop Lincoln, showing how for many of those involved it was really a talking game, but for a few fanatics, it was a real plot. Pinkertonâs task was a double one â to trap the plotters while also managing Lincolnâs safe transit through this dangerous city. Iâll say no more, so that I wonât spoil the tension for anyone who, like me, doesnât know this story. But towards the end I found it as tense as a thriller and raced through the last chapters with a need to know how it all worked out.
Finally, Stashower gives a short summary of what happened afterwards to the various people involved â the people who travelled with Lincoln, Pinkerton and his agents, and some of the plotters. He also shows how conflicting versions of the story make getting at the facts difficult â Pinkerton and some of Lincolnâs people didnât see eye to eye either at the time or afterwards, and each side perhaps embellished the facts to suit their own purposes. Nothing really changes, eh? Except maybe itâs a bit easier to travel from Illinois to Washington now.
A thoroughly enjoyable book â well written, interesting and informative, giving a lot of insight into this troubled period just before the Civil War. Highly recommended!
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
Abraham Lincoln has won the Presidential election and now, in early 1861, is about to undertake the journey from his home in Springfield, Illinois, to Washington for his inauguration. But these are troubled times, and the journey is complicated because of all of the different railroad companies that own parts of the route. One of the company owners hears of a plot to destroy his railroad to prevent Lincoln making it to Washington, and so he calls in the already famous private detective, Allan Pinkerton. But when Pinkerton starts to investigate, he becomes convinced that there is a deeper plot in the planning â to assassinate Lincoln before he is inaugurated. This book tells the story of Lincolnâs journey, the plot against him, and Pinkertonâs attempt to ensure his safe arrival in Washington.
Itâs written very much in the style of a true crime book, although it has aspects that fall as much into the category of history. Stashower focuses on three main aspects: a biographical look at Pinkerton and the development of his detective agency; the rising tensions in the still-new nation that would soon break out into full scale civil war; and Lincolnâs journey, and the plot against him.
The first section is mostly about Pinkerton, a man who started out as a political activist in his native Glasgow in Scotland until, perhaps to escape the authorities there, he emigrated to America with his young wife. I grew up knowing tales of the great American detective Pinkerton and his agents, but hadnât realised he was born and lived only three or so miles away from where I spent my childhood years, so that was an added point of interest for me; plus the authenticity shown in the little time that the book spends on Scotland and the political situation there (about which I know a fair amount) convinced me of the authorâs historical reliability. Once the story moves to America, Stashower shows us how this journeyman cooper gradually became a detective for hire, and then grew a business of many agents able to work undercover in all levels of society. Stashower discusses Pinkertonâs methods, his policy that âthe ends justify the meansâ, and the clients who called on him to prevent crimes if he could, or else bring the criminals to justice after the event.
Pinkerton was also ahead of his time in recognising the value of women detectives, though it was actually a woman, Kate Warne, who convinced him of this when she persuaded him to hire her. She went on to become one of his most trusted agents, and played a major role in the events covered by the book, all of which Stashower recounts most interestingly. If any biographers are out there looking for a subject, Iâd love to read a full bio of her life!
The focus then switches between Lincoln and Pinkerton, the one preparing for his journey, the other setting up his agents to infiltrate the pro-Secessionists in Baltimore, where the threat to Lincoln seemed to be greatest. The political background is woven into these two stories, with Stashower assuming some prior knowledge of the events leading up to the civil war on the part of his readers, but ensuring that he gives enough so that people, like me, whose understanding of that period is superficial and even sketchy donât get left behind.
Stashower tells us of the various people surrounding Lincoln, and their differing opinions on how he should meet the threat. Given that he had won the election on a minority of the vote, it was felt to be important that he should let people see and hear him, trying to win them over before he took office. This meant that the train journey became serpentine, looping and doubling back so that he could visit as many places as possible. To make matters worse from a security point of view, his advisors and he thought it was necessary to put out an itinerary in advance, so that the people, and unfortunately therefore the plotters, would know when and where they could get close to him. To get to Washington, he would have to go through Baltimore â a state then known as Mobtown and one that was considered likely to go over to the Confederacy side in the event of war. Despite the fact that we all know that Lincoln survived for a few more years, Stashower manages to build a real atmosphere of tension â we may know the outcome, but I certainly didnât know how or even if he would make it through Baltimore safely.
Meantime, Pinkerton and his agents take us undercover deep into the conspiracy to stop Lincoln, showing how for many of those involved it was really a talking game, but for a few fanatics, it was a real plot. Pinkertonâs task was a double one â to trap the plotters while also managing Lincolnâs safe transit through this dangerous city. Iâll say no more, so that I wonât spoil the tension for anyone who, like me, doesnât know this story. But towards the end I found it as tense as a thriller and raced through the last chapters with a need to know how it all worked out.
Finally, Stashower gives a short summary of what happened afterwards to the various people involved â the people who travelled with Lincoln, Pinkerton and his agents, and some of the plotters. He also shows how conflicting versions of the story make getting at the facts difficult â Pinkerton and some of Lincolnâs people didnât see eye to eye either at the time or afterwards, and each side perhaps embellished the facts to suit their own purposes. Nothing really changes, eh? Except maybe itâs a bit easier to travel from Illinois to Washington now.
A thoroughly enjoyable book â well written, interesting and informative, giving a lot of insight into this troubled period just before the Civil War. Highly recommended!
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
exurbanis's review against another edition
4.0
(Narrative Nonfiction, Historical, American)
When we think of Lincoln and an assassination attempt, we no doubt think of Fordâs Theatre on April 15, 1865.
This book tells of police work that purportedly uncovered a plot to kill Lincoln in Baltimore in February 1861. Based on evidence, the law agencies were able to convince the President to change his train route and, as we know, he was not murdered then.
Iâm not American so it takes a really good book to draw me into an isolated incident in US history. This well-written account kept my interest throughout.
4 stars
When we think of Lincoln and an assassination attempt, we no doubt think of Fordâs Theatre on April 15, 1865.
This book tells of police work that purportedly uncovered a plot to kill Lincoln in Baltimore in February 1861. Based on evidence, the law agencies were able to convince the President to change his train route and, as we know, he was not murdered then.
Iâm not American so it takes a really good book to draw me into an isolated incident in US history. This well-written account kept my interest throughout.
4 stars
aprilbooksandwine's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to The Hour Of Peril: The Secret Plot To Murder Lincoln Before The Civil War by Daniel Stashower narrated by Edoardo Ballerini because of this secret project where I am judging audiobooks for a thing. Once I get through all of them, I will let you guys actually know what the project is. Anyways, I chose this one to listen to because the subject matter is interesting. I know not everyone finds presidential history all that fascinating, but I do. Like, I even have a list of my favorite presidents (Teddy Roosevelt, I am looking at YOU) and it turns out that Lincoln is among them. SO! When I was given the chance to listen to a book about pre-Civil War era Lincoln, I took it.
Read the rest of my review here
Note: Review and link will work on February 20, 2014
Read the rest of my review here
Note: Review and link will work on February 20, 2014
prof_pelon's review against another edition
3.0
interesting book. more about the first detective agency in America than Lincoln. but still interesting.
leticiabench's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyed the history but it was very slow paced for much of the book.
davidr's review against another edition
5.0
This is a wonderful book about the detective Allan Pinkerton, and how he uncovered and foiled a plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln before he became president. Pinkerton grew up in Scotland, where he developed strong feelings for social reformation. He immigrated to the United States, where he lucked into solving a counterfeiting ring. Soon he found his way into the business of running a private detective agency.
Pinkerton had strong feelings against slavery. As an abolitionist, he raised money for John Brown. Pinkerton even ran a station in the underground railway prior to the Civil War.
So it is seems that Pinkerton had a strong affinity for Abraham Lincoln. But that is not exactly how he got involved with Lincoln. Pinkerton was hired to protect the railroad that was transporting Lincoln to his inauguration in Washington DC. Pinkerton hired men and women to fill important roles in his agency. He was flabbergasted that women wanted to work for him; but he took a chance, and it paid off well.
I won't add any spoilers here. Let me just say that even though this is a history book, it reads like a detective novel. Some parts of it were thrilling, while occasionally it lost some momentum.
I listened to this book as an audiobook, narrated by Edoardo Ballerini. His voice is a perfect match for the book.
Pinkerton had strong feelings against slavery. As an abolitionist, he raised money for John Brown. Pinkerton even ran a station in the underground railway prior to the Civil War.
So it is seems that Pinkerton had a strong affinity for Abraham Lincoln. But that is not exactly how he got involved with Lincoln. Pinkerton was hired to protect the railroad that was transporting Lincoln to his inauguration in Washington DC. Pinkerton hired men and women to fill important roles in his agency. He was flabbergasted that women wanted to work for him; but he took a chance, and it paid off well.
I won't add any spoilers here. Let me just say that even though this is a history book, it reads like a detective novel. Some parts of it were thrilling, while occasionally it lost some momentum.
I listened to this book as an audiobook, narrated by Edoardo Ballerini. His voice is a perfect match for the book.