Assassination of Lincoln: a History of the Great Conspiracy

The book offers a clear‑sighted look at the assassination of President Lincoln, framing it as the climax of a broader “great conspiracy” that sought to destabilize the nation. Drawing on contemporary newspaper reports, official transcripts, and the author’s own military experience, it reconstructs the frantic days after the shooting and the urgency that drove authorities to act. Readers are guided through the facts that made the tragedy a worldwide concern at the time.

Central to the narrative is the military commission that tried the accused, a body whose proceedings captured the public’s imagination. The author pays particular attention to the trial of Mary Surratt, whose fate has sparked debate for more than a century, and examines the evidence presented against her and her co‑conspirators. By laying out testimony and legal arguments, the work lets listeners evaluate the claims of innocence and guilt for themselves.

Written by a former brigadier‑general who served on the commission, the account balances official perspective with a critical eye toward later myth‑making. It aims to cut through sensationalism, offering a concise yet thorough history that remains relevant as new generations revisit this pivotal moment in American history.