In the Houses of Their Dead - the Lincolns, the Booths, and the Spirits

Why people recommend it

In the Houses of Their Dead - the Lincolns, the Booths, and the Spirits by Terry Alford is a historical investigation examining the pervasive influence of nineteenth-century spiritualism within the families of Abraham Lincoln and his assassin, John Wilkes Booth. Host John Williams featured the author on an episode of The Book Review to discuss the research behind the publication. Throughout the interview segments, Williams introduced and reintroduced the guest and his work, emphasizing how the narrative explores the fascinating intersection of grief, politics, and occult beliefs in American history. By focusing on these two prominent families, the book sheds light on a lesser-known cultural phenomenon that characterized the era following the Civil War. The podcast conversation provided listeners with a detailed overview of the historical claims, framing the work as a compelling contribution to biographical literature and nineteenth-century cultural history, offering fresh perspectives on some of the most heavily scrutinized figures in the American national narrative.