The Assassination of Lincoln: A History of the Great Conspiracy

In this review of The Assassination of Lincoln: A History of the Great Conspiracy: Trial of the Conspirators, the reviewer finds a detailed contemporary account suited to readers who want a primary-era narrative of the plot and legal aftermath. This edition lays out the sequence of events and the theory of a broader plot to remove the entire line of succession, making it most valuable for history students, Civil War researchers, and anyone seeking a thorough, period-informed perspective rather than a modern reinterpretation.

Key Features

• Contemporary narrative: Presents a period account that helps readers understand how the assassination and its aftermath were perceived at the time.
• Conspiracy focus: Details the hypothesis that the attack aimed to eliminate the President and his line of succession, offering context for the wider political stakes.
• Trial coverage: Describes the trial of the conspirators by a military commission, useful for those studying wartime legal procedures.
• Incident specifics: Includes the coordinated attacks such as Lewis Payne's assault on Secretary Seward, which adds concrete evidence to the narrative.
• Historical names: Mentions key figures involved or targeted, helping readers connect events to major 19th century leaders.

Who It's For

This work is best for readers who prefer primary-era or near-contemporary histories and want to study the assassination with attention to the alleged conspiracy and the military trial that followed. Civil War enthusiasts, undergraduates researching presidential assassination history, and collectors of historical accounts will find the focused narrative especially useful.

Readers seeking a modern, analytical reinterpretation with recent historiography or fresh archival discoveries should look elsewhere; this title reads as a historical account centered on the event and its immediate legal consequences rather than a modern synthesis.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a detailed contemporary account that helps frame the assassination as part of a broader alleged conspiracy.
• Describes the military commission trial, offering insight into how conspirators were prosecuted after the Civil War.
• Includes concrete incidents such as the attack on Secretary Seward, which lend specificity to the narrative.

Cons

• Reads like a period history and may lack modern historiographical critique or recent archival perspectives.

Specifications

Title	The Assassination of Lincoln: A History of the Great Conspiracy: Trial of the Conspirators
Author / Brand	T. M. M. Harris
Subject focus	Lincoln assassination, alleged wider conspiracy, and trial proceedings
Notable incidents covered	Attack on Secretary William H. Seward by Lewis Payne and Booth's killing of Lincoln
Legal coverage	Trial of the conspirators by a military commission
Historical perspective	Contemporary or near-contemporary account emphasizing immediate aftermath

Our Verdict

This is a strong choice for readers seeking a period-focused account of Lincoln's assassination and the subsequent military trial. It delivers concrete incident details and a sustained look at the conspiracy theory, making it good value for students and enthusiasts who want a direct historical narrative rather than a modern reinterpretation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book cover the trial of the conspirators?
Yes, the review and description emphasize coverage of the trial by a military commission and related legal proceedings.

Is the assassination presented as part of a larger conspiracy?
The text frames the assassination within an alleged broader plot to remove the presidential line of succession, and the review highlights that focus.

Who was attacked besides Lincoln?
The account includes Lewis Payne's severe attack on Secretary William H. Seward and notes the planned but aborted attempts on other high officials.