New Book on John Surratt

[L Verge]

I'm trying to find time to read this book. Mr. Schein did quite a bit of research at Surratt House (he commuted from Washington State on several occasions as well as emailing). I suspect that he might be a tad too sympathetic with John for some of our readers, however. The last chapter I have read and found it very nicely done.

I should add that the book is heavily footnoted and gives an extensive bibliography. If there is an afterlife, I hope I meet Mr. Surratt. My first question will be, "Why did you burn the manuscript for your book?" From what we understand, the mss. was in the hands of a publisher, but Surratt got it back and destroyed it. A descendant told me that the family always said it was because there were people named in the book that could still be hurt by it. Maybe that could be an example of his humanity?