Of the many historical figures, who did you know the most about beforehand? Who did you know the least about? Did your opinions change in any way? Is there anyone whose life you were prompted to explore further?

Of the many historical figures referenced throughout the book, who did you know the most about beforehand? Who did you know the least about? Of those you knew, did your opinion about them change in any way? Is there anyone whose life you were prompted to explore further?

I did not know anything about Alan Pinkerton. I had heard of the Pinkerton company, but everything that I thought I knew was wrong. The book made me want to know more and so I Googled Pinkerton and learned so much about the Pinkerton Company then and now.
I also had never heard about Kate Warne. I Googled her as well, and found out that she was famous from about 1861 to her death in 1868 at the age of ONLY 35. She was a women with remarkable strength and a huge asset for Lincoln infiltrating places that men would not be able to.

Allen Pinkerton was known to me as a “Union Buster” and the name “Pinkerton” itself as synonymous with security [private security—security for hire]. Now, a hero.

Fredrick Douglas. I knew that he was an absolutist, but never knew what a great writer and speaker he was. This has led me to find out more.

I knew the most about Lincoln, but far from very much than what one learns is school. I had done no additional personal historical reading about him. I was surprised to read of the extensive involvement of Pinkerton.

I knew the most about Lincoln, and his circle. I’ve read David W. Blight’s Pulitzer Prize winning book, Frederick Douglass Prophet of Freedom, and many, many wonderful books about Abraham Lincoln and been lucky to visit his Presidential Library and Museum in Illinois. I knew the least about Kate Warne. I had briefly heard her mentioned but knew little about her and would like to know more.

I guess the two I knew the most about were Frederick Douglass and Lincoln himself - and not that I knew much about either! I definitely have some reading I want to do!

The information about Pinkerton and his organization was fascinating. I'd read about him, but only in conjunction with his strike-breaking decades later. I definitely saw him in a different light! And, of course, there was Kate Warne, about whom I'd heard nothing.

I also gained respect for Seward. Man, he lived through a lot of history, influencing much of it during his time in government. I'd like to learn more about him, too.

Four figures stand out: Allan Pinkerton, Kate Warne, Cyprianno Ferrandini and William Seward. Other than knowing of the Pinkerton Detective Agency and that Seward did not like Lincoln and wanted to be President, I knew nothing about these four people. My opinion of Seward changed as I read about his decision to not only become Lincoln’s Secretary of State but also for his respect for Lincoln as a leader. If I were to explore one of these lives, it would be William Seward’s life. I was struck by the amount of time he took to make a thoughtful decision about whether he should accept the offer to be Secretary of State.

Abraham Lincoln is one of my heroes, so I obviously knew the most about him. On our vacation this summer we went to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, both in Springfield, Illinois. Both are tremendous and I highly recommend to anyone interested in American history.

In many of the books I have read, and movies and TV shows I have seen, Allan Pinkerton has been presented as a snake. The Lincoln Conspiracy helped me see him as more than a one-dimensional character.

I recognized Alan Pinkerton's name, but I did not know of the part he played in saving Abraham Lincoln's life and getting him to Washington safely for his inauguration. Kate Warne, the first female detective interest me greatly, but I have never encountered her character in books. II read "The Day Lincoln Was Shot" and knew that an attempt was made on his life by a member of John Wilkes Booth gang members. Seward's Folly, the purchase of Alaska has been asked on Jeopardy. Cyprianno Ferrandini played such a strong role in the plot yet his name has never appeared in any books I have read. I would really like to find a book about Pullman and the effects of the railroads in the war.

The only character that was familiar to me was Lincoln. I knew a little about Seward and Frederick Douglass. I was aware of Alan Pinkerton and his detective agency, but not in the context of this series of events. Reading this book made me want to know more about the political figures of this era, especially Douglass.

I probably knew the most about Lincoln, although I have read a little about most of the others because I have read a lot of books about Lincoln. I learned some things about Allan Pinkerton and would be interested in reading more about him and his methods. But I think Kate Warne is the person that I had never heard of that I would most like to know more about.

I agree with Jill. Beyond Abraham Lincoln, the roles of A. Pinkerton, Kate Warne (I knew nothing about her), C. Ferrandini, and W. Seward (hey, I'm a proud New Yorker) were enlightening and pivotal. I look forward to researching these historical figures more.

Like most people I knew more about Lincoln than anyone after reading a significant number of books about his life. Frederick Douglas was perhaps second in my knowledge followed by Alan Pinkerton and the Pinkerton Agency and then William Steward because of Steward's Folly and the purchase of Alaska.

I was totally unaware of Kate Warne and C. Ferrandini.

I know the most about Lincoln. I read a book years ago titled Abe: A novel of the Young Lincoln. This is a fictionalized history drawn from what we know about Lincoln’s early life. It gave me a better understanding of Lincoln.
I often wondered why Ferrandini was such a radical. He was an immigrant without land and slaves. What did he value so much to defend? I think a book about immigrants part in the civil war is worth checking out.

I knew most of the players but the one I want to explore is Kate Warne--probably won't find much, since the agents lives were so secret, but would be interested to know more about a young woman of the time who would have chosen such a life.