The protracted trial of Sacco and Vanzetti was the most controversial political event of the 1920s. Today, more than seventy years after their execution, the events surrounding the case of Sacco and Vanzetti are still the source of debate. Truly, it is the "case that would not die." Surprisingly, of all the books that have appeared over the years concerning the case, the most complete and convincing was first published in 1928, only a year after the execution of Sacco and Vanzetti. That book is Upton Sinclair's Boston. In his "documentary novel" the celebrated author of The Jungle combined a firm grasp of the facts of the case with an engrossing fictional framework to produce a remarkably accurate and comprehensive report of the events that spanned the years 1919 to 1927 which ultimately focused the attention of the whole world on a drama played out in the drawing rooms, courts, and streets of the city of Boston. In Boston, Sinclair described the xenophobia and paranoia that led the upper crust of Boston society to see these two illiterate immigrants as a threat to their way of life, and led to their conviction on the flimsiest of evidence. Sinclair used his considerable skills to arouse the reader to a state of outrage as the protagonists' inevitable fate approaches.
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17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Story,
This review is from: Boston: A Novel (Upton Sinclair Works) (Hardcover)
This mammoth book covers the Sacco / Vanzetti trial - probably the most tumultuous trial in the early part of last century. Sacco and Vanzetti were two Italian workers who were accused of murdering and stealing money from two payroll carriers in suburban Boston. The story is told through the use of a fictional character named Cornelia, who had lived a life with the rich and elite of Boston. After her husband dies, she wants to live life and takes a tough job in a rope factory. In seeking room and board, she meets and befriends Vanzetti. Experiencing the poor working conditions and associating with Vanzetti, she sees the abuse of the workers by the rich owners and becomes sympathetic to social change.The story turns tragic, though, when the good-natured Vanzetti and his friend Sacco, are implicated in a burglary. The police seeking a guilty party intimidate and coerce Irish witnesses into telling lies about the pair. The Italians have very little hope once they reach the courtroom, when they learn that the judge is clearly against them. Being poor, they are unable to pay the necessary and customary bribe. When they are found guilty, other countries and labor leaders throughout the world became angry with Boston. Freedom and the United States' justice system becomes a laughing matter. Ultimately, the police were called in to handle the riots that almost ensued in Boston when the pair of activists was put to death. Even today, there are shadows of doubt over Boston as a result of this trial. Using part fiction and part history, Upton Sinclair paints a grim portrait of American justice gone awry. Over and over, Sinclair points out where the plaintiff's case was based on non-credible witnesses, a biased judge and jury, hatred of the defendants' socialistic and anarchistic beliefs, and prejudice. While the book was interesting, especially in illuminating the reader of how the system "really" works, I did find it tiring. The book was long and there were a ton of witnesses and characters that the reader had to remember. Sometimes, the same points and facts were repeated two or three times and the story had a tendency to jump around in time. Overall, though, I found the book interesting and absorbing - like all of Sinclair's works that I have read.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Most Important Trial of the Last Century,
By
This review is from: Boston: A Documentary Novel of the Sacco-Vanzetti Case (Hardcover)
Upton Sinclair was a socialist from Baltimore, MD. He wrote many books trying to bring to light the plight of immigrants, and exploited laborers.
In "Boston", Sinclair focuses on the lives of Bartolomeo Vanzetti and Nicola Sacco, two Italian immigrants. Sacco and Vanzetti were accused of robbery and murder in Braintree, MA, with no more evidence against them than the fact that they were Italian. Their execution caused protests in nearly every major city world wide. So much of this book draws parallels to today. During the early 1900's, it was believed that all Italians were little more than bomb wielding terrorists. At their trial, it was used against them that they weren't "patriotic", because they had dodged the WWI draft. (Which they weren't subject to anyway, because they weren't even US citizens). I'm from Massachusetts, and found the book particularly interesting in that regard too, to see how things were like in the 1920's. My great-grandfather, Pasquale, was an Italian immigrant who worked with Vanzetti in the Plymouth Cordage Park for a time. It was very interesting, to learn how little he got paid for such dangerous and hard work, and also the challenges he faced as an Italian immigrant. I think it's very important, that we learn from the past, because these types of prejudices still impede justice today. If you've never heard of Sacco and Vanzetti, or don't know very much about them, you *need* to read this book. The audacity of their trial, and the compelling nature of their story, is one that will stick with you for the rest of your life. It's no wonder that they have inspired so many artists and musicians.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another American Tragedy,
By Richard Old (Calgary, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Boston: A Novel (Upton Sinclair Works) (Hardcover)
Boston, a novel in two volumes by Upton Sinclair, was first published by Albert & Charles Boni in 1928 and is an historical novel about the well documented Sacco-Vanzetti trials. Written in typical Sinclair fashion, the story weaves through the personal lives and motivations of Sacco and Vanzetti. In his continual search for social justice, this event gives Sinclair another opportunity to decry the social conservatism of the day. The novel presents the reader with a different perspective of this milestone in American jurisprudence.
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