You've Got to Read This Book

I just finished reading one of my new favorite books. It is called Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. it is by Seth Grahame-Smith. He is the same guy who write Pride And Prejudice And Zombies which is also fantastic. So Smith has obviously found his niche. He is able to take beloved stories and beloved figures in history and totally warp them into something not only wildly entertaining, but something outlandishly hysterical (were it not for him, I don't think I would have ever read a Jane Austin book ever).

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is an abridgment of our sixteenth president's lost secret journal. It tells of how Abraham Lincoln's father loaned some money from a vampire (vampires came to America to escape persecution in Europe) and when he couldn't pay the money back, the vampire claimed the life of Lincoln's mother as payment. From that day on, Lincoln swore to kill every vampire in America.
What follows is the tale of his training and early hunts. We find the "true" reason behind the Civil War and why John Wilkes Booth really killed the president. It is almost far fetched enough to make you believe that it could possibly be true. Add in some fun photoshopped pictures and you have your new history. It was entertaining from start to finish. It was an easy read and just plain fun. You won't get any deeper meanings or profound symbolism, but you will get plenty of smiles and some good conversations with anyone you need to "teach the truth."
What really makes the book work is how truly "accurate" it is. I know that sounds a little bizarre to say about a book claiming that old Honest Abe spent the best years of his life carrying an axe to slay vampires but it is the truth. Every aspect of the novel is taken from the truth and then simply twisted for our enjoyment. You could take an actual Lincoln biography and make a checklist. It is like the easiest of recipes. Just add vampires.
I've read what others have thought about it and many people were upset with the ending. I saw a lot of "I loved it until the end" or "The ending totally ruined it for me." I don't know what these people are talking about. If you buy into the whole concept then the ending is perfect. Don't listen to stupid people. And if anyone out there thinks that this is bad because it tarnishes the history of one of our greatest presidents, then you are stupid and can't recognize a joke even after reading one for 300+ pages. You're just as dumb as the people who said that Pride And Prejudice And Zombies wasn't as good as the original. Are you kidding me? Both books are fantastic!
Now, as a disclaimer, there is a really stupid commercial or something to advertise the book. It is terribly made and with the worst acting ever seen since your cousin's high school reenactment of Grease. Don't judge the book by the crappy commercial. However, if you enjoy the book you can eagerly await (as I am) the movie due to come out in a year or so.
Definitely check this book out. I bought mine at Target and they always have their books on sale. Buy it. Read it. Love it.