The Hour of Peril
368
Biography • Nonfiction
United States • 19th Century
2013
Adult
14+ years
The Hour of Peril by Daniel Stashower recounts an attempt by Baltimore secessionists to assassinate president-elect Abraham Lincoln, and the efforts of America's first private detective, Allan Pinkerton, to foil the plot. Lincoln, who was elected president in 1860, took a train tour across the country, despite looming secessionist threats. Captain Cypriano Ferrandini led a conspiracy to kill Lincoln upon his arrival in Baltimore, but Pinkerton, with the help of Kate Warne, well-disguised and rerouted Lincoln, ensuring his safe arrival in Washington, D.C.
Suspenseful
Mysterious
Adventurous
Informative
Gritty
1,875 ratings
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The Hour of Peril by Daniel Stashower is a meticulously researched work that offers a thrilling narrative about the plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. Readers praise its gripping storytelling and historical accuracy. However, some find the pacing uneven and feel that it occasionally delves too deeply into minute details, which might detract from the overall momentum.
Readers who enjoy gripping historical non-fiction and espionage will find The Hour of Peril riveting. Fans of The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson or Washington's Spies by Alexander Rose will appreciate Stashower's detailed narrative of Abraham Lincoln's secret journey to Washington.
1,875 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Hour of Peril by Daniel Stashower won the 2014 Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime, showcasing its excellence in the true crime genre.
The book details the true story of the Baltimore Plot, a little-known conspiracy to assassinate President-elect Abraham Lincoln during his train journey to his inauguration.
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368
Biography • Nonfiction
United States • 19th Century
2013
Adult
14+ years
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