The Cotton Deals

[L Verge]

The Johnson article is the one that I mentioned in an earlier post, Jerry. Will someone who has access to jstor please share with me at laurie.verge@pgparks.com?

[BettyO]

The Johnson article is the one that I mentioned in an earlier post, Jerry. Will someone who has access to jstor please share with me at laurie.verge@pgparks.com?

Got it, Laurie -

Coming up....

[Gene C]

I wouldn't spend to much time pursuing the Cotton Deal theory.
Ray Neff in Dark Union, and David Balsinger and Charles Sellier in the Lincoln Conspiracy chased that rabbit. Now it looks like Rick Stelnick has gone there too in Dixie Reckoning (which I have not read) The theories revolve around unverifiable "secret documents" that are never made public, that have somehow been damaged, or mysteriously disappear, and are lost to history.

Would you trust Booth to hold his tongue, and keep a secret?
Does he impress you as being the most reliable of people?

I haven't read a lot about Booth, but Nora Titone in "My Thoughts Be Bloody" did perhaps the best job of explaining Booth's behavior.
http://www.amazon.com/My-Thoughts-Be-Blo...ora+titone
(read the reviews)

I could be wrong (but I could be right)

[RJNorton]

I haven't read a lot about Booth, but Nora Titone in "My Thoughts Be Bloody" did perhaps the best job of explaining Booth's behavior.

Another book I would recommend for this is Bill Richter's Sic Semper Tyrannis: Why John Wilkes Booth Shot Abraham Lincoln. I think I gained a greater understanding of Booth's thinking from that book than any other. It's not a long book, but I think it explains things very clearly. Bill notes that in late 1860 Booth wrote, "I am a Northern man. But unlike most Northerners, I have looked upon both sides of this question." We can debate whether Booth was sincere with this statement, but for the sake of argument, let's accept it. From there the author explains how, as the war progressed, Booth became more and more opposed to President Lincoln's actions. The end result was April 14, 1865. I think the book clearly explains how this happened and helps Abraham Lincoln lovers like me understand the line of thought going on in Booth's brain.

[L Verge]

I agree, Roger. Bill's Sic Semper Tyrannis is succinct, to the point, and a very good analysis of Booth and his political thoughts.

I would also recommend the Taper/Rodehamel compendium Right or Wrong. I must admit that I have not read it cover to cover, but it is excellent primary source material on Booth the man.

[BettyO]

Both very good points! Bill's Sic Semper is a definite "Go To".....

[Gene C]

I must acknowledge that I have not read Bill's book yet. Everyone has such good things to say about it, it is now on my priority list.

My wife tells me I must read down my stack of books some before I can get anymore. (I don't understand )

[RJNorton]

My wife tells me I must read down my stack of books some before I can get anymore. (I don't understand )

Gene sent this photo of the den in his home.

[Gene C]

You should have seen it before I straightened up.

(that was good Roger!)

[Eva Elisabeth]

Gene, throw the dragon and the globe away and you'll have some more room. And it's well worth doing for that book.

[BettyO]

OMG - looks a bit like MY library!!

[Gene C]

Thanks Betty. More comments like that might help my wife to call off the book intervention.

When we went on the Springfield trip she was surprised to hear about the time Rob Wick bought so many books they used a hand truck to load his car. (I keep reminding her of that)

---

Gene, throw the dragon and the globe away and you'll have some more room. And it's well worth doing for that book.

Actually, that was an unsucsesful atempt at taxidermy. It's hard to get that hair on the back to lay down striaght.

[JMadonna]

Gene, throw the dragon and the globe away and you'll have some more room. And it's well worth doing for that book.

Eva, those are strategically placed there to give the room its ambience.

[Gene C]

Thank you Jerrod , I knew I could count on you to understand the "Feng Shui" of the room

[brtmchl]

I thought they were there as guidance to find your collection of World History and your Harry Potter collection