Fortune's Fool

[L Verge]

(04-16-2015 08:21 PM)Gene C Wrote:  I take it, you didn't care for the book? (I haven't read it)

This question, not just for Bill to answer.
How do you think it compares to "My Thoughts Be Bloody" by Nora Titone? (I did read and enjoyed this one)

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I have read both books and thoroughly enjoyed both books. In ranking them, I would rank Fortune's Fool higher - mainly because I think his conclusions on what caused Booth's descent are based on more solid evidence and source material. And, unlike others, I saw Alford paint a more "patriotic" picture of Booth's political views vs. Lincoln's (and the Republicans') pursuit of large-scale, centralized government. I had to beat Wild Bill over the head in order for him to write Sic Semper Tyrannis to satisfy me. His line of thought on the change of government matches my own -- and I think Booth's as well.

Also, I cannot assign the title "racist" and "white supremacist" to John Wilkes Booth. First, those terms were not used until the 20th century, and second, such a description would define a very large percentage of the white population in the U.S. - North and South - in Booth's time. Let's just stick with "cultural differences."

As for Nora's theme, I can understand the theory of competition with his brother, but I'm not sold on the idea. I also have a nagging feeling (that I can't prove) that Nora's publisher may have made that a focal point above her original intent.

I still found her book very well done; and I was so delighted to see the way she handled our audience at the conference several years ago. Nora is young, petite, and very innocent looking -- until she starts to talk on the book. She had some of our old curmudgeons who love to give female speakers a hard time just sitting with their mouths open. And, she could give back (sweetly and firmly) as good as they could throw questions at her.