HISTORIAN WITHOUT AN ARMCHAIR

by Otto Eisenschiml ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

In 1937, in his controversial Why Was Lincoln Murdered?, the author of this present book first advanced his theory that Lincoln's death was engineered by a conspiracy headed by Secretary of War Stanton. In this latest of his many Civil War studies he gives an account of his experiences as a field historian -- and again harps on his favorite theme. Recounting previously ""untold inside stories"" of the Civil War, many of them of minor interest, and telling of his discovery of ""lost"" Confederate outposts and headquarters, the author also includes his search for factual evidence proving Stanton's complicity in Lincoln's death, of which he admits none is in existence today, circumstantial evidence being the basis of his thesis. His efforts to learn if Stanton's house was equipped with an electric doorbell at the time of Lincoln's death failed, and did not substantiate his belief that the existence of such a bell would indicate Stanton's guilt. Equally frustrating were the author's attempts to find a lock of John Wilkes Booth's hair, by which he hoped to solve ""probably the most discussed historical mystery in America"": -i.e. whether Booth was shot at Garrett's Farm, or if, through Stanton's help, he was allowed to escape. Including many previously published articles of varying interest, this book will appeal to readers of the author's former books who accept his theory that Stanton was behind Lincoln's murder.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Bobbs-Merrill

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1963

Categories: NONFICTION