Michael J. Kline

Michael J. Kline presents evidence that the "Baltimore Plot", a somewhat doubtful conspiracy to murder Lincoln as he passed through Baltimore on his way to Washington was in fact real. He has obviously pored over a mountain of information in creating this heavily documented work. I found it very convincing. Even apart from this issue, it is a very detailed, and usually very readable account of the state of affairs in the nation prepared for the changeover from Buchanan to Lincoln, when the future status of Virginia and Maryland vis á vis the union was still in doubt.

Kline gives a very detailed account of Lincoln's very circuitous route to Washington. He brings to life a number of the lesser players such as Senator Wigfall, the Pinkerton agents, the vacillating Governor Hicks of Maryland, and many others. Portraits of many of them are included in the text.

Baltimore, here better described by its nickname of "Mobtown", is not portrayed in any flattering light. Kline does not seem to be at all sympathetic to the cause of the Confederacy, which is fine by me, but may upset a few readers. I wonder how this was received in Atlanta, where he lives.

A book that should be of great interest to Civil War buffs and fans of Lincoln.… (más)