A review by holtfan
Good Brother, Bad Brother: The Story of Edwin Booth and John Wilkes Booth by James Cross Giblin
5.0
With a title like "Good Brother, Bad Brother" I expected a picture book. Then, when the book arrived and I realized it was 244 pages, I thought maybe a history book aimed at children. While I would read this to children, I quickly learned it was not that either.
This is simply a readable, interesting biography about Edwin Booth written by an author who used to write children's books. And he does a lovely job at it. (Writing this biography, that is. I've never, to my knowledge, read his children's books.)
I went through a phase in high school where I was all things obsessed with the Lincoln assassination and this book landed on my to-read list courtesy of that obsession. My memory has dimmed somewhat as to the actual assassination but this book's focus on Edwin Booth filled in many fascinating details I'd either forgotten or never knew. Edwin was himself a remarkable man forced to forever live in the shadow of his infamous brother.
This biography does an excellent job showing Edwin in a positive light (his acting, overcoming alcoholism, love for his daughter) while also not shying away from his flaws (failed theater, failed marriage, etc.)
I definitely recommend this one as a fascinating look at John Wilkes Booth's brother and as a biography of a remarkable actor who overcame quite a bit. My favorite part was Edwin's daughter Edwina. I think I want to find out more about her.
This is simply a readable, interesting biography about Edwin Booth written by an author who used to write children's books. And he does a lovely job at it. (Writing this biography, that is. I've never, to my knowledge, read his children's books.)
I went through a phase in high school where I was all things obsessed with the Lincoln assassination and this book landed on my to-read list courtesy of that obsession. My memory has dimmed somewhat as to the actual assassination but this book's focus on Edwin Booth filled in many fascinating details I'd either forgotten or never knew. Edwin was himself a remarkable man forced to forever live in the shadow of his infamous brother.
This biography does an excellent job showing Edwin in a positive light (his acting, overcoming alcoholism, love for his daughter) while also not shying away from his flaws (failed theater, failed marriage, etc.)
I definitely recommend this one as a fascinating look at John Wilkes Booth's brother and as a biography of a remarkable actor who overcame quite a bit. My favorite part was Edwin's daughter Edwina. I think I want to find out more about her.