American Brutus

John Wilkes Booth and the Lincoln Conspiracies

By: Michael Kauffman

Narrated by: Nelson Runger

In American Brutus, popular historian Michael W. Kauffman delivers a history that reads more like a best-selling novel. This definitive masterwork dispels commonly held myths and reveals the truth about John Wilkes Booth.

Luring Southern sympathizers into a “noble” presidential kidnapping, Booth stunned his puzzled pawns by murdering Lincoln. From Booth’s early life and acting career to his escape and death, this meticulously researched book re-examines it all using a wealth of primary sources.

©2004 Michael W. Kauffman (P)2005 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

“Kauffman … offers a beautifully written, exhaustive and well-reasoned reassessment of … Booth and the murder of [Lincoln].” ( Publishers Weekly)

Gripping account of Booth and his associates

I thought it would take me a long time to finish this audiobook, but there were so many twists and turns to this well-trod story that I kept on listening.

Definitive Lincoln assassination book

This is a fantastic listen, and is the definitive book on Lincoln’s assassination, including the plot, the act, and the aftermath. Mr. Kauffman did exhausting research delving into first hand accounts and evidence in archives to produce this highly detailed recounting of the events. Numerous interesting facts and misconceptions are articulated in this work. It is a fantastic piece of literature, and a great listen!

A Killer and his Excuses

I enjoyed this book and narration. It is thorough and insightful. One of interesting things is how different the law was then and how that trial got set rup and went down. Booth's self serving final letter sounds like many killers I've read and studied.

Story of John Wilkes Booth

Incredible story-full of so many details. Narrator was great. I very much appreciated the follow up to the lives affected by Lincoln’s assassination. Listened to this over a period of three days-was absolutely transfixed!

a different view

loved this. learned a lot about those with Booth and how profoundly they were treated