Bill O'Reilly's Killing series, co-authored with Martin Dugard, looks at famous assassinations, accidents and near-deaths that had pivotal historical consequences:
Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever ($9.99, 9781250105219; originally published Sept. 2011). O'Reilly was inspired to write about Lincoln's assassination when he heard about Lafayette C. Baker, a Union spy who helped track down John Wilkes Booth. Baker briefly possessed Booth's diary, which was later released by the government with, Baker claimed, 18 pages missing. This chapter of the assassination story has long stoked conspiracy theories, which have fascinated O'Reilly too. His book recounts the final two weeks of Lincoln's life and the hunt for his assassin. In 2013, the National Geographic Channel aired a docudrama based on Killing Lincoln narrated by Tom Hanks.
Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot ($28, 9780805096668; Oct. 2012). O'Reilly and Dugard's second "Killing" book narrates the events leading up to President Kennedy's assassination and the aftermath. It features portraits of the wider Cold War; how JFK earned a long list of enemies, including organized crime figuresl and how Lee Harvey Oswald ended up in Dealey Plaza on November 22, 1963. The National Geographic Channel also adapted Killing Kennedy into a docudrama in 2013 starring Rob Lowe. The book will be released in paperback on August 29, 2017.
Killing Jesus: A History ($30, 9780805098549; Sept. 2013). This narrative of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, called Jesus of Nazareth in the book, made its debut at the top of the New York Times bestseller list and remained on the list for 52 weeks. It depicts the life of Jesus, shows him as a young revolutionary speaking out against Roman oppression, and looks at the historical forces that prompted his execution. It will be released in paperback on March 17, 2017. National Geographic Channel's 2015 television adaptation broke viewership records set by the previous "Killing" docudramas.
Killing Patton: The Strange Death of World War II's Most Audacious General ($30, 9780805096682; Sept. 2014). General George S. Patton led American troops in the Mediterranean and European Theaters of World War II, most famously as head of the Third Army in France and Germany after D-Day. He died in December 1945 from injuries sustained during a car accident. In Killing Patton, O'Reilly and Dugard recount the general's famous battles and bring a conspiratorial tilt to his death. A National Geographic adaptation will air in 2017.
Killing Reagan: The Violent Assault That Changed a Presidency ($30, 9781627792417; Sept. 2015). O'Reilly's fifth "Killing" book explores the near-death of Ronald Reagan at the hands of John Hinckley, Jr., who shot the president on March 30, 1981 outside the Washington Hilton Hotel. Killing Reagan looks at what lead to the assassination attempt, Reagan's recovery and how it changed the rest of his presidency. On October 16, National Geographic aired an adaptation starring Tim Matheson and Cynthia Nixon as Ronald and Nancy Reagan.
Killing the Rising Sun: How America Vanquished World War II Japan ($30, 9781627790628; Sept. 2016). The latest "Killing" title takes readers through the Pacific Theater of World War II, from the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This is perhaps the broadest scope of any O'Reilly book thus far. Killing the Rising Sun has been on the New York Times bestseller list since its release.
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Each episode of the Legends & Lies television series, which premiered on Fox News in April 2015, focuses on a major figure from a given historical period. Bill O'Reilly serves as series host and executive producer. The books that have followed each season, written by David Fisher with an introduction by Bill O'Reilly, are:
Bill O'Reilly's Legends & Lies: The Real West ($32, 9781627795074; April 2015). This companion to season one of Legends & Lies looks at famous figures of the American West, from bandits like Jesse James to lawmen like Doc Holliday. The book expands the scope of the television show with bonus chapters on Daniel Boone, Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley.
Bill O'Reilly's Legends & Lies: The Patriots ($35, 9781627797894; May 2016). Season two of Legends & Lies explored central figures in the American Revolution. In this companion piece, O'Reilly and Fisher expand their look at seminal figures in United States history, from titans like George Washington and John Adams to lesser-known war leaders like the southern guerrilla fighter "Swamp Fox" Francis Marion.
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Bill O'Reilly's Killing series is written for adults, but the Last Days YA adaptations allow younger readers to enjoy the books--and are also heavily illustrated with numerous maps, photographs and other images:
Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever ($12.99, 9780805096750; Sept. 2012), co-authored with Dwight Jon Zimmerman.
Kennedy's Last Days: The Assassination That Defined a Generation ($12.99, 9781250060426; June 2013).
The Last Days of Jesus: His Life and Times ($12.99, 9781250073402; April 2014), illustrated by William Low.
Hitler's Last Days: The Death of the Nazi Regime and the World's Most Notorious Dictator ($19.99, 9781627793964; June 2015), to be released in paperback on June 20, 2017.
The Day the President Was Shot: The Secret Service, the FBI, a Would-Be Killer, and the Attempted Assassination of Ronald Reagan ($19.99, 9781627796996; June 2016).
