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In the interest of full disclosure this is a straight history book about Abraham Lincoln’s second inauguration speech. Nevertheless, when reading it I was struck by how elements of the writing fit with writing fiction and mysteries. I found the contents fascinating, but that is material for a review in a different place.
In the 1953 novel The Go-Between, LP Hartley wrote, “The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there.” Achorn took on the task of providing what it was like in Washington’s Capital in March of 1865. I think the task is similar for writers who want to show readers how a crime lab operates or what a person arrested for the first time goes through. To accomplish this the author did things a successful mystery writer needed to do.
He did careful research. I caught only three minor errors in the 376-page book, which is a testament to how thorough he was, as well as how obsessive I am. He avoided the common pitfall of referring to the area as Washington, DC. which was founded later than the time of the book. There was nothing to throw the reader out of the experience and wonder – Where did that impossible object or event come from.
Also, he cleverly followed the travels of various visitors to the area and was therefore able to describe places and events that a single point-of-view character would not have seen. A wounded soldier’s brother observed the terrible conditions in a hospital. A raucous young man from the country noted the bars and brothels that he passed walking along the streets. Achorn built suspense by also trailing behind John Wilkes Booth and other historical figures.
The reader finds out about the sounds, sights and smells as people struggle through deep mud and horse manure toward the Capital ground. The author brings in the weather which was another element adding to the vividness of the work.
Every Drop of Blood is solid history told in a stimulating style that, I believe, puts him in the elite company of David McCullough, Doris Kearns Goodwin, and Barbara Tuchman.
Love to read history that reads like stories. My fav is Erik Larson. Thanks for the concise review, Warren.
ReplyDeleteThis is going on my tbr. Thank you, Warren.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a terrific read. Thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read, and a great gift for my son-in-law, who only reads nonfiction & likes Civil War & Revolutionary War books.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! Thanks for the positive review.
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