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The Hour of Peril by Daniel Stashower

The Hour of Peril

The Secret Plot to Murder Lincoln Before the Civil War

by Daniel Stashower

  • Critics' Consensus (1):
  • Readers' Rating (24):
  • Published:
  • Jan 2013, 368 pages
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There are currently 24 reader reviews for The Hour of Peril
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Carol Peters

Introduction to Pinkerton's new Secret Service
I enjoyed being introduced to new characters in this very detailed novel following Lincoln’s pre-inauguration trip to Washington DC. I never realized the danger Lincoln was under as he made his way to Washington. Alan Pinkerton’s secret service agency which included a female agent Kate Warne, were new historical elements to a very tumultuous time.
The author provided great perspective of the political dynamics impacting the decision of how Lincoln would arrive in Washington due to the secessionist climate in Baltimore. Ultimately Pinkerton prevailed and Lincoln arrived in DC by bypassing the city. Unfortunatelymore
Mary G. (Purcellville, VA)

An informative but slow read
"The Hour of Peril" reminded me a lot of Erik Larson's "Devil in the White City". It takes an interesting subject and tells it is such a didactic manner as to make it difficult to slog your way through. I persevered and learned a lot about Allan Pinkerton and the early science of investigation. The reviewer quoted on the front of the book called it a "riveting" book and a "race-against-the-clock thriller." I don't think he actually read the book.
Jan C. (San Antonio, Texas)

A plot revealed from the inside!
This book was very very detailed. Knowing the outcome already it was not suspenseful even though the events could have led to the reader feeling suspense. It took me a longer time to read than usual because of the detailed accounts that were too frequently repeated. A timeline in the book might have helped the reader and a map showing the route of the train trip would have been helpful. What I did like was the glimpses it provided into Lincoln's character. The intimate details of the detectives activities made the story come alive. Learning about Pinkerton was interesting.
Rosemary T. (San Antonio, TX)

The Hour of Peril
At first I did not think I was going to like this book when so much was devoted to Pinkerton's background. However, once the story progressed to the second part I was totally engrossed. It is surprising to me that throughout high school and college I never heard that an attempt had been made on Lincoln's life before his first inauguration. This book is definitely worth reading whether you are a history buff or not.
Vy A. (Phoenix, AZ)

Hour of Peril
Anyone interested in American history, as well as President Lincoln scholars, will appreciate this very detailed account of "the first time they tried to kill Lincoln". Peril tells of Lincoln's thirteen- day voyage from Springfield, Illinois to Washington in the spring of 1861 and explores Alan Pinkerton's belief that there was a conspiracy to kill. I found it to be more of an account of Pinkerton's role in history (founder of the Pinkerton Detective Agency) perhaps than Lincoln, but still very fascinating. The controversy between Pinkerton and Ward Lamon (Lincoln's friend and self-appointed bodyguard) who didmore
Gwen C. (Clearfield, PA)

Hour of Peril
The Hour of Peril is a well-researched, continuously documented account of President Elect Abrahams Lincoln's days leading up to his inauguration. It encompasses far more an hour of danger; one gets a thorough understanding of the strife and distress in America as states begin to secede, transportation quandaries, and the power journalists had. As the author states, "Lincoln's election had thrown the country into crisis," and later quotes Horace Greeley's comment, "There was forty times the reason for shooting him in 1860 than there was in '65." Against such a backdrop, Stashower paints a vivid and endearingmore
Carol C. (Troy, NY)

Hour of Peril
"Hour of Peril" focuses on Abraham Lincoln's journey to Washington prior to his inauguration, and the danger he faced from those plotting to assassinate him in Baltimore; it's likely to appeal most to those interested in history and/or the Civil War.

The supporting cast is varied and fascinating, and includes detectives, spies, politicians of various ilk, soldiers, the famous Alan Pinkerton and Mr Lincoln, who - while the subject of the plot - takes a back seat to those working to see him safely to Washington. The technical, political and social details surrounding the journey to Washington draw from manymore
Annette S. (Duluth, GA)

The Hour of Peril
A well researched and very detailed account of a conspiracy to assassinate Abraham Lincoln when he was on his way to his first inauguration as the sixteenth president of the United States. Even though the reader knows this plot failed, you learn about Alan Pinkerton's life and how he started his famous Pinkerton Detective Agency, Kate Warne (probably the first female professional undercover detective), and the intriguing plot twists that unfold in this criminal conspiracy to murder Lincoln. The book brings to mind the question: If Lincoln had been killed in Baltimore would the Civil War have started here insteadmore
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