Mourning Lincoln

In her compelling audiobook, historian Martha Hodes delves into the diverse reactions to Abraham Lincoln's assassination through an examination of personal writings from the spring and summer of 1865. By exploring diaries, letters, and other documents, she reveals a spectrum of emotions—ranging from shock and sorrow to glee and anger—while highlighting the profound social and racial tensions of the time. Hodes captures a pivotal moment in American history, marked by confusion and competing visions for the nation's future, as individuals navigated their grief amidst everyday life and societal upheaval.