Good Brother, Bad Brother: The Story of Edwin Booth & John Wilkes Booth

Good Brother, Bad Brother: The Story of Edwin Booth & John Wilkes Booth

By: James Cross Giblin

Clarion Books ©2005

ISBN#: 9780618096428

This informational book could fall into a few different categories. It is a biography of Edwin & John Wilkes Booth, but it is also a social history. James Cross Giblin offers his readers an unbiased look at the lives of Edwin Booth and John Wilkes Booth and leaves the reader questioning the labels of good brother and bad brother. Giblin accurately describes the trials and adventures both Edwin and John Wilkes went through in their lives. He also tries to help the reader discover the thought process and feelings behind the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. There are many references to letters written by Edwin and John Wilkes. Giblin honestly tells readers when he could not find documentation of the brothers’ feelings. This book contains many historical photographs to help immerse the reader in the history. It also contains an index to help the reader check the sources Giblin references.

A history teacher could use this book to introduce the Booth brothers, then divide the class in half and have a debate about which brother was good and which was bad. For higher level students the teacher could have the students do more research to strengthen their debate. This book would also be useful in a mini-lesson on how to incorporate quotes in essays.

Horn Book Magazine—“Giblin’s bibliography and discussion of sources opens a wealth of avenues for further reading; period photographs put faces to the history” (B.C.).

Booklist—“With settings that range from Australia to Germany, from New York to San Francisco, each vividly reconstructed, Giblin’s book will engross readers until the very last footnote” (DeCandido).

Works Cited:

B., C. "Good Brother, Bad Brother: The Story of Edwin Booth and John Wilkes Booth." Horn Book Magazine 81.3 (2005): 349. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 28 Oct. 2010.

DeCandido, GraceAnne. "Good Brother, Bad Brother: The Story of Edwin Booth and John Wilkes Booth (Book)." Booklist 101.17 (2005): 1586. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 28 Oct. 2010.