SKU: 73558948602

Fortune's Fool: The Life of John Wilkes Booth

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Description

Fortune's Fool: The Life of John Wilkes BoothWith a single shot from a pistol small enough to conceal in his hand, John Wilkes Booth catapulted into history on the night of April 14, 1865. The assassination of President Abraham Lincoln stunned a nation that was just emerging from the chaos and calamity of the Civil War, and the president's untimely death altered the trajectory of postwar history. But to those who knew Booth, the event was even more shocking for no one could have imagined that

With a single shot from a pistol small enough to conceal in his hand, John Wilkes Booth catapulted into history on the night of April 14, 1865. The assassination of President Abraham Lincoln stunned a nation that was just emerging from the chaos and calamity of the Civil War, and the president's untimely death altered the trajectory of postwar history. But to those who knew Booth, the event was even more shocking--for no one could have imagined that this fantastically gifted actor and well-liked man could commit such an atrocity.

In Fortune's Fool, Terry Alford provides the first comprehensive look at the life of an enigmatic figure whose life has been overshadowed by his final, infamous act. Tracing Booth's story from his uncertain childhood in Maryland, characterized by a difficult relationship with his famous actor father, to his successful acting career on stages across the country, Alford offers a nuanced picture of Booth as a public figure, performer, and deeply troubled man. Despite the fame and success that attended Booth's career--he was billed at one point as "the youngest star in the world"--he found himself consumed by the Confederate cause and the desire to help the South win its independence. Alford reveals the tormented path that led Booth to conclude, as the Confederacy collapsed in April 1865, that the only way to revive the South and punish the North for the war would be to murder Lincoln--whatever the cost to himself or others. The textured and compelling narrative gives new depth to the familiar events at Ford's Theatre and the aftermath that followed, culminating in Booth's capture and death at the hands of Union soldiers 150 years ago.

Based on original research into government archives, historical libraries, and family records, Fortune's Fool offers the definitive portrait of John Wilkes Booth.


Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Published: 03/01/2018
ISBN: 9780190697709
Pages: 464
Weight: 1.30lbs
Size: 8.90h x 5.70w x 1.30d
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SKU: 73558948602

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Alex Prepsky
Carnegie, US
★★★★★ 5
Awesome price for quality balls
Color: Four colors, Size: 5cm (ball only)
These balls are super bouncy and durable. My dog loves them and for the price these are totally worth it! I think they are as durable as nerf balls and equal in size, and much cheaper!
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Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2025
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Random shopper
New York, US
★★★★★ 1
Rope comes out at the slightest force. Pointless tug toy!
Color: Four colors, Size: 6cm (with rope)
If your dog pulls on these (and why wouldn’t he?), the rope immediately comes out. Turns out they just fuse the ends of the nylon rope together, which is no match for a dog playing tug. Any dog, any level of pulling will dismantle these. We’ve managed to reinsert the rope to a couple of these and KNOT it, which gives you a shorter rope but a toy that can withstand some play. But if I had wanted a DIY toy, I’d have used the balls and rope I already own.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2025
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Lesly
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 3
Not for super chewers!
Color: Four colors, Size: 5cm (with rope), Color: Four colors, Size: 5cm (with rope)
These rope ball toys arrived today. My poodle puppy loves rope ball toys and playing tug of war. These didn’t last 10 minutes. For context, she is 1 y.o., 30 lbs., is not teething & has her adult teeth. She did this on her own- we were not playing tug of war at the time the toy fell apart. At least there are 3 more in the package & when the rope is done, we’ll still have the balls to play with.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2026
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Kimberly Farnham
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 4
Great for small dogs
Color: Four colors, Size: 5cm (ball only)
Durability
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Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2026
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OhThoseTervs
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 5
What I've been looking for
Size: Large (Pack of 1)
Just got my Nero Ball. Only used it once, but really like it. I've tried other "ball on a string" type toys, with unsatisfactory results. I'll be using it as a training reward, and my boy, who is a pretty ferocious tugger, is going to learn 2 new things with this ball. 1st, to target the ball instead of the rope, and 2nd, that it's for a little gentle tugging instead of the full throttle stuff he does otherwise. After our 1st session with the Nero Ball, he's picking up on the new rules quickly. We'll see how it does long term, but I think this is one I'll stay with. *UPDATE* Been using my Nero Ball for a month now. I'm tempted to call it the 'Hero Ball' because it's just that terrific!! For me, the key has been putting in the time to allow both myself & my dog to develop the skill to use this tool smoothly. May sound strange, but using a toy as a training reward requires practice, and each different toy configuration requires different handling. It's time well spent - we're both having a lot of fun! Kudos to the designer of this ball. Every detail has been carefully considered, from the length & material of the rope (just the right length that the dog won't step on it; material is easy on the hand while still being tough enough to withstand a few toothy grabs; the loop is the perfect size to grab for a little tug or to pass the ball through to slip-knot it onto a belt loop). The ball is also just right. The knobs make it non-slip, the rubber eliminates tennis ball fuzz concerns, and being semi-hard and hollow makes it slightly compress-able, which makes it a higher value reward than a solid ball that can't be compressed. While this ball will not work for every application or for every dog, if you carefully read & understand the information provided and don't expect it to work outside those parameters, you will be pleasantly surprised by a very well designed, well constructed tool that you can use to enhance your training or play sessions with your dog.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2016

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