CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT

CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 37

Mon, 21 Aug 2006 13:39:00 GMT

Ned writes a letter to Wilkes. Finis.

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CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 36

Thu, 17 Aug 2006 04:49:00 GMT

Escape: Bainbridge, Ruggles and Jett. Copyright Â 2006 Aram Schefrin To find out more about the facts on which this book is based, go to www.johnwilkesbooth.blogspot.com and click on the links.

CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 35

Sat, 12 Aug 2006 07:56:00 GMT

Escape: Thomas Jones gets Wilkes to the Potomac.

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CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 34

Mon, 7 Aug 2006 16:21:00 GMT

Escape: Dr. Samuel Mudd treats Wilkes' broken leg.

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CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 33

Thu, 3 Aug 2006 02:37:00 GMT

The assassination.

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CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 32

Sat, 29 Jul 2006 04:55:00 GMT

Wilkes learns that Lincoln is going to the theater. He makes his preparations.

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CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 31

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 05:47:00 GMT

Wilkes urges the managers of two Washington theaters to invite Lincoln to a performance on Good Friday night. Surratt tells Wilkes he will have to escape to Canada.

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CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 30

Tue, 18 Jul 2006 13:14:00 GMT

As their cause becomes more desperate, the Confederates decide to kill Lincoln - but without involving Wilkes. Richmond falls, and Wilkes - despondent - disbands his crew. But the Rebel plan is thwarted, and Mary Surratt asks Wilkes to assassinate the President as well as six other members of the Federal government.

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CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 29

Sat, 15 Jul 2006 14:21:00 GMT

Now Richmond doesn't want Lincoln snatched. Wilkes is devastated.

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CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 28

Tue, 11 Jul 2006 12:40:00 GMT

Wilkes takes his crew to a play at Ford's Theater. An attempt to snatch the President on the Seventh Street Road fails when Lincoln doesn't show.

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CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 27

Sat, 8 Jul 2006 02:42:00 GMT

Wilkes goes to the inaugural ball but, out of concern for Lucy Hale, decides not to snatch the President there.

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CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 26

Tue, 4 Jul 2006 14:08:00 GMT

Wilkes and Surratt decide to snatch Lincoln at his inaugural ball, and Wilkes concocts a clever way to get into the event.

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CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 25

Sat, 1 Jul 2006 12:57:00 GMT

Wilkes gets a tour of John Ford's new theater in Washington, then meets a new conspirator - Lewis Thornton Powell.

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CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 24

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 15:08:00 GMT

Wilkes leaves an envelope with Asia in Philadelphia, then meets the conspirators in Washington.

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CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT- CHAPTER 23

Sun, 25 Jun 2006 04:18:00 GMT

While the three Booths perform "Julius Caesar," Confederates raid New York City, setting fires on Broadway in the hotels and theaters.

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CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 22

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 18:51:00 GMT

Lincoln is re-elected, and Wilkes meets Dr. Samuel Mudd.

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CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 21

Sun, 11 Jun 2006 05:15:00 GMT

Wilkes tells Asia of the Lincoln kidnap plot.

Wilkes meets Patrick Martin in Montreal, makes his first contacts on the route he plans to use to take the kidnapped President to Richmond, and gets details on Lincoln's routine.

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CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 20

Sun, 4 Jun 2006 12:38:00 GMT

In Boston, Wilkes meets with Confederate agents from Canada and signs on to a plot to kidnap President Lincoln.

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CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 19

Sun, 28 May 2006 05:22:00 GMT

Lincoln is nominated for a second term, and Wilkes prospects for oil in Venango County, Pennsylvania.

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CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 18

Sun, 21 May 2006 12:30:00 GMT

Sick and exhausted, Wilkes tours Southern towns under Union occupation while General Grant cuts a swath through Virginia. In New Orleans, Wilkes hears the story of how his father died.

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CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 17

Sun, 14 May 2006 13:59:00 GMT

Trying to get to St. Louis, Wilkes spends Christmas in Leavenworth, is stranded in a blizzard and fights off a wolf.

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CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 16

Sun, 7 May 2006 12:39:00 GMT

Wilkes, Edwin and Adam survive the New York City draft riots.

Copyright Â â 2006 Aram Schefrin. This work can be licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerive 2.5 License

To learn about the facts on which this book is based, go to www.johnwilkesbooth.blogspot.com and click on the links.

CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 15

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 22:23:00 GMT

John Surratt, a Confederate spy, contacts Wilkes and shows him the courier route from Washington to the Northern Neck of Virginia through T.B., Surrattsville and the Maryland countryside, and across the Potomac at Port Tobacco.

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CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 14

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 03:50:00 GMT

Since Mollie's death, Edwin has been seeing and hearing her. With Adam's help, he arranges a seance to try to contact her.

Copyright ÃÂ Ãïï 2006 Aram Schefrin. This work can be licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerive 2.5 License

To learn more about the facts on which this book is based, go to www.johnwilkesbooth.blogspot.com and click on the links.

THANKS, GEORGE!

Fri, 21 Apr 2006 17:27:00 GMT

I am thoroughly enjoying this book! It's superbly written and narrated, and is a fascinating take on an already captivating historical event. This is simply the most interesting historical fiction I've ever had the pleasure of reading, peopled with complex characters and set at a crucial point in this country's history. As the author mentions, it is easy to dismiss John Wilkes Booth out of hand as a lonely madman, but we're given a chance to explore this man's experience and psyche in a compelling piece of fiction. The theme music, intro and outro are all excellent, and Mr. Schefrin has obviously spent a lot of time working on this project to assure good production values. This is one hell of a great book! -George, Fort Worth, Texas

CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 13

Mon, 17 Apr 2006 05:11:00 GMT

McClellan invades Virginia, up the peninsula between the York and James Rivers. The Yankees win the battles; still McClellan retreats, believing the Rebels too strong.

Wilkes returns to smuggling contraband. Edwin returns to the stage, afraid he will not be well received - but he is a sensation. He is so relieved that he finds himself for the first time able to talk to strangers. He attends New York's premier salons and soirees, and starts drinking again.

When Wilkes arrives in New York, he finds Edwin a drunkard. Wilkes brings word from Boston that Mollie is ill. But he believes she will recover, so Edwin ignores the news, as well as telegrams from Boston which say that Mollie has taken a turn for the worse and may not last the night - until a theater manager forces him to read them. Frantic, he catches a train for Boston. But it's too late.

Copyright ÃÂ Ãïï 2006 Aram Schefrin. This work can be licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerive 2.5 License

For more information on the facts on which this book is based, go to www.johnwilkesbooth.blogspot.com and click on the links.

CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 12

Tue, 11 Apr 2006 13:45:00 GMT

Following Adam's advice, Ned and Mollie go to Europe. But since Mollie is four months pregnant, they go to England, where they trust the doctors, rather than France or Italy. Ned searches the places where his father hsd been, but finds little trace of him.

Mollie weakens as the baby grows, and has to take to bed. Ned takes an acting engagement in London, but the British are hostile, since the U.S. Navy has boarded a British ship and taken off two southern rebels who were heading to England to convince the Queen to support the Confederacy.

Mollie gives birth to Edwina. They take a brief tour of France, then return to America. Mollie is too delicate to return to New York, so they take a house in Dorchester, outside Boston. Ned is there when Wilkes plays Boston, with great success, turning staid Brahmin women into romantic fools.

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Copyright ÃÂ â 2006 Aram Schefrin. This work can be licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerive 2.5 License

CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 11

Wed, 5 Apr 2006 01:27:00 GMT

Wilkes triumphs in New York, and waits with Maggie at Pfaff's Cafe for the reviews.

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CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 10

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 03:45:00 GMT

New York City considers seceding, since its economic fortunes are tied to the South. But the Union buildup brings new money into the city, and New York decides to stay in the fold.

Adam enlists in the Union Army, as an aide to General Grant. His last advice to Ned: go to Europe and study.

There is no fighting going on, so Wilkes goes back to the stage. In Cincinnati, Maggie Mitchell offers to arrange an appearance for him in New York. Wilkes is afraid of that, since, to him, New York is Ned's city. But in Chicago he meets Raufer, a scenery man, who introduces him to magical new staging and lighting techniques - and Wilkes realizes that, with these, he can conquer New York.

Copyright ÃÂ Ãïï 2006 Aram Schefrin. This work can be licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerive 2.5 License

To find out more about the facts on which this book is based, go to www.johnwilkesbooth.blogspot.com and click on the links.

CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 9

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 03:55:00 GMT

Wilkes looks up a school friend, Michael O'Laughlen. He asks O'Laughlen to hook him up with Rebels in Maryland. O'Laughlen tells him that attempt on Lincoln's life has failed and that Maryland is under Federal martial law and is not going to secede. Then he introduces Wilkes to shoemaker Christian Emmerich and the Federal Marshal, George Kane. Kane is defecting to the South. At Kane's request, Wilkes agrees, rather than join a fighting unit, to stay in the North and help in the smuggling of contraband such as medicines across the lines to the South. Atfer Bull Run, Emmerich sends Wilkes to Philadelphia to pick up a package. Wilkes stays with Asia and tells her what he's doing. She is thrilled.

CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 8

Wed, 15 Mar 2006 04:18:00 GMT

While Ned is performing in New York, South Carolina secedes.

The family gathers at Asia's for Christmas in Philadelphia. Asia is rabid against Abraham Lincoln; she tells the others what she has heard: that Lincoln will be murdered in Baltimore on his way to Washington, and that then the Rebels will take Washington and conduct a coup d'etat. Wilkes announces he is going to join the Maryland militia after the state secedes. Mother makes him swear he won't.

Matt Canning books Wilkes in Rochester and Albany, New York. Wilkes stabs himself during a performance when he falls on a dagger. Wilkes seduces his female lead, then abandons her; she stabs him and herself. South Carolina assaults Fort Sumter; Edwin Ruffin fires the first shot. Virginia secedes, and Wilkes decides that if he's going to be killed (it seemed likely, considering) it would be better if it happened fighting for the South.

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To learn more about the facts on which this book is based, go to www.johnwilkesbooth.blogspot.com and click on the links.

CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 7

Wed, 8 Mar 2006 05:13:00 GMT

Desperately missing Mollie, Ned goes back on the booze. Concerned, Adam Badeau gets Wilkes to intervene with Mollie and get them back together. Ned asks her to marry him. She says "yes".

In Montgomery, Alabama, Maggie Mitchell takes Wilkes to hear the Prince of Fire-eaters speak.

Maggie Mitchell is played by Anita Boyer.

Copyright ÃÂ Ãïï 2006 Aram Schefrin. This work can be licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerive 2.5 License

To learn more about the facts on which this book is based, go to www.johnwilkesbooth.blogspot.com and click on the links.

CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 6

Wed, 1 Mar 2006 06:06:00 GMT

Asia objects violently to Ned's marriage to Mary. Out of respect for his family, Ned gives her up. Before he leaves Richmond, he gives Wilkes the lead role in Othello, and Wilkes makes his first appearance in his own name.

During Wilkes' second season in Richmond, John Brown raids Harper's Ferry, hoping to set off a slave insurrection, and panicking the South. Brown is quickly captured, but Southerners who want secession use Brown as an excuse.

Wilkes meets Ned in Boston, which is hysterical over Brown, and performs Richard the Third with him. Wilkes finds the town too staid. At a gathering after the theater, Adam Badeau (Ned's New York teacher and confidante) tells Ned he has heard that Mary is in Boston, acting in Charlotte Cushman's company, and is going to marry a Boston lawyer. Ned is devastated.

Back in Richmond, Wilkes joins the Richmond Grays and travels to Charlestown to watch the hanging of John Brown, then returns to begin his role as a national star.

Maggie Mitchell is played by Gwynneth Selinger.

Copyright ÃÂ Ãïï 2006 Aram Schefrin. This work can be licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerive 2.5 License

To learn more about the facts on which this book is based, go to www.johnwilkesbooth.blogspot.com and click on the links.

NEW WEBSITE!

Fri, 24 Feb 2006 00:10:00 GMT

Listen to the podcast - then learn more about the Booths and the subjects of each chapter, and find links to documents, photos,articles and books at www.johnwilkesbooth.blogspot.com!

PODIOBOOKS!

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 22:57:00 GMT

"Consider the Elephant" is now available at Podiobooks.com, a great website which gives you the chance to subscribe to a bunch of audiobooks, and receive them on a schedule you choose.

There's some really good stuff on the website. Check it out!

CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 5

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 02:34:00 GMT

Ned comes to Richmond to star at the Old Marshall, and falls in love with an actress named Mary Devlin. Wilkes can't understand why Ned would want to marry when he could have any woman he wants. Ned reveals his awful past, and that Mary is his salvation.

Copyright ÃÂ Ãïï 2006 Aram Schefrin. This work can be licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerive 2.5 License

To learn more about the facts on which this book is based, go to www.johnwilkesbooth.blogspot.com and click on the links.

CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 4

arams@adelphia.net — Wed, 15 Feb 2006 06:03:00 GMT

Wilkes joins a company in Richmond, Virginia. While the local men talk secession, the women fawn on Wilkes.

Copyright ÃÂ Ãïï 2006 Aram Schefrin. This work can be licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerive 2.5 License

To learn more about the facts on which this book is based, go to www.johnwilkesbooth.blogspot.com and click on the links.

CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 3

arams@adelphia.net — Wed, 8 Feb 2006 16:32:00 GMT

Wilkes begins his acting career in Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Copyright ÃÂ Ãïï 2006 Aram Schefrin. This work can be licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerive 2.5 License

To learn more about the facts on which this book is based, go to www.johnwilkesbooth.blogspot.com and click on the links.

CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 2

arams@adelphia.net — Thu, 2 Feb 2006 21:47:00 GMT

Edwin goes to Washington to talk to the Federal police, and to visit June in the Old Capitol Prison. Jack is finally cleared of the crime, and Asia wangles June's release through Philadelphia friends. Edwin goes to Philadelphia. June goes home to San Francisco. On a hot June night, a young Southern boy arrives at Asia's house. His father owns the farm on which Wilkes had been captured and killed. He describes for the family Wilkes' last days, and hands Edwin Wilkes' diary, which he had found in the ashes of his father's tobacco barn.

Copyright ÃÂ Ãïï 2006 Aram Schefrin. This work can be licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerive 2.5 License

To learn more about the facts on which this book is based, go to www.johnwilkesbooth.blogspot.com and click on the links.

CONSIDER THE ELEPHANT - CHAPTER 1

arams@adelphia.net — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 19:15:00 GMT

Edwin Booth, while acting Shakespeare in Boston, hears the news that his brother Wilkes has assassinated President Lincoln. The rest of his run is cancelled. He believes he will never work again. His sister Asia, in Philadelphia, collapses in grief. Their mother runs to Philadelphia, and so does their brother June, but Edwin is afraid to go, and hides in his home to New York. June and Asia's husband Jack are arrested in Philadelphia on suspicion of being involved in the killing of the President. Under house arrest, Asia learns that the Federals have caught and killed Wilkes.

Copyright ÃÂ Ãïï 2006 Aram Schefrin. This work can be licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerive 2.5 License

To learn more about the facts on which this book is based, go to www.johnwilkesbooth.blogspot.com and click on the links.