The Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides (APT) will hold its next book club meeting on Tuesday November 14 at 7 pm on Zoom. (This is the second Tuesday instead of the usual third to avoid conflicts Thanksgiving week.) There is no fee to attend and anyone is welcome. Participants should come ready to discuss the book. The selection is Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer by James L. Swanson.

Manhunt is an in-depth story of not just Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, but also of John Wilkes Booth’s background. The author leads the reader step by step through Lincoln’s assassination at Ford’s theater from the time he was shot, the extensive efforts to save him, and his death. It is a heartbreaking hour by hour account of Lincoln’s death.

The author, Swanson, also provides a history of John Wilkes Booth’s background including his dedication to the Confederacy and the extensive support he had in planning Lincoln’s death. It has often been perceived that Booth killed Lincoln on his own in an act of insanity. However, Swanson offers evidence that the plan was not just to kill Lincoln but also to assassinate his Secretary of State. The attempt was to take down the Union government, so the Confederacy would still have power.

APT member Christine Suhadolnik recommended the book. She said that the research Swanson compiles in the story is so detailed and intense that is difficult to put this book down and not read it in one sitting!

The Zoom link will be sent out the week of the meeting in the APT President’s email.