Fortune's Fool

[L Verge]

I have read about 130 pages of Fortune's Fool and have one thing to say: If Terry had only written this book forty years ago, he could have saved me hundreds of dollars buying so many books to get all the information that he has covered in just the first 3-4 chapters.

He has taken one-liners or two paragraphs that you find in the standard telling of the story and added so much more information -- and so many more primary sources. And he shows the good side of the man, even when Lincoln wins in 1860. This is really a character development study of a man who was shaped by his times and his acquaintances, and his love for his country. We'll see what the post-assassination chapters portray him as...

One chapter really impressed me, and it dealt with massive details about Booth's service during the John Brown situation. He didn't go along for entertainment, he actually worked, mainly in helping the quartermaster get supplies and food for the men and beasts of the Richmond Grays. I don't remember any Booth author giving so much time and attention to the details.

Terry writes with an easy, flowing style in chronological order. No skipping back and forth from one topic to the other to prove a point, which has driven me crazy with some authors. You'll even love the creativity of his chapter titles.

No wonder it took about 25 years for Terry to finish this book. I used to get very frustrated with him for taking so long and for not sharing anything juicy with me! I now understand why.

I know that he has another subject in mind for a book. He better get started and work a little faster this time 'cause I don't have 25 years left in me!!