Crimes Of The Century: From Leopold and Loeb to O.J. Simpson [Paperback]

Gilbert Geis (Author), Leigh B. Bienen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2, 2000 | ISBN-10: 1555534279 | ISBN-13: 978-1555534271

In compelling narrative, the authors probe the sensational cases of Nathan F. Leopold, Jr., and Richard A. Loeb, the Scottsboro "boys," Bruno Richard Hauptmann, Alger Hiss, and O.J. Simpson, highlighting significant lessons about criminal behavior and the administration of criminal justice.

Each case study details the crime, the police investigation, and the court proceedings, profiles the major players, and examines the outcome and aftermath of the trial. The authors untangle the perplexities surrounding the cases and illuminate the many mysteries that remain unsolved today. These celebrated trials reveal issues of overzealous prosecution, sloppy police work, judicial bias, race, class, and ethnic struggles, and the role of wealth in securing a competent defense. They also show how the temper of the times and frenzied media coverage heightened the intensity of drama in the cases.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Noted criminologist Geis and law school lecturer Bienen present vivid accounts of five of the most famous crimes and trials of the 20th century. The cases of Leopold and Loeb, the Scottsboro boys, the Lindbergh kidnapping, Alger Hiss, and O.J. Simpson certainly merit inclusion, though the Sacco-Vanzetti case is inexplicably missing. Though each case is covered from crime through punishment (or acquittal) in fewer than 50 pages, the depth of historical detail and legal analysis is remarkable. The authors are particularly adept at placing these crimes within both their immediate historical settings and the larger societal issues (e.g., racism, Cold War anxiety, pre-World War II isolationism) that run below the surface. They likewise provide considerable insight into the effects of highly publicized trials on the popular perception of the administration of justice. After the discussion of each trial, the authors include an extensive and informative guide to books for further reading. Highly recommended for all libraries.?Patrick Petit, Catholic Univ. Law Lib., Washington, DC
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Geis is a professor of criminology at the University of California, Irvine; Bienen is a lecturer in the law school at Northwestern University. In their recounting of five important trials, they rarely break new ground in revealing facts of the cases, though many of the previously known but obscure facts are quite interesting to those with only passing familiarity with some of them. However, the author's primary concern is the political and social background that make the cases so sensational. They describe with chilling effect the racial environment that allowed the travesty surrounding the Scottsboro "boys" trials. In the case of Alger Hiss, the authors hold up a mirror to the rapidly widening schisms in our post-war political culture. Many of the details of the Simpson trial are familiar, but Geis and Bienen offer interesting perspectives on why some important witnesses were perceived as credible. For legal scholars as well as social historians, this work is a valuable tool, and laymen should find it an enjoyable read. Jay Freeman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Northeastern (March 2, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555534279
• ISBN-13: 978-1555534271
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #650,248 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A sensible, accesible and informative book, September 7, 2000

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Prof. R. Paris (Arlington, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Crimes Of The Century: From Leopold and Loeb to O.J. Simpson (Hardcover)

This book is clearly and sispassionately written. It is full of important information on five crucial trials, and throws considerable light on the strenghts and weaknesses of the American administration of justice. One wishes the authors had included more cases. But, even as it is, it is a good book to assign to courses of criminal justice at the undergraduate level. For me, the strongest of the five articles is the one ons the Lindberghs' baby, in which the deleterious influence of unethical and sensationalistic media is well highlighted. And the weakest the O.J. Simpson case, perhaps because its proximity in time. The article on the Scottsboro Trials is very helpful in understanding how the Supreme Court has established precedents that are making justice for all more of a reality in America. In any case, excellent reading, both for people acquainted with the US criminal justice and for those who'd like to start getting to know it.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb survey of contemporary crime & American justice., September 7, 2000

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crimes Of The Century: From Leopold and Loeb to O.J. Simpson (Paperback)

Crimes Of The Century examines the Leopold and Loeb murder case (1924); the Scottsboro Boys case (1931), the Lindberg baby kidnaping case (1932); Alger Hiss and the House Un-American Activities case (1948); and the O.J. Simpson case (1994) in a fascinating analysis of the 20th century American criminal justice system. Each case example highlights significant lessons about criminal behavior and the administration of criminal justice. Fascinating, insightful, compelling, sometimes chilling, often challenging, Crimes Of The Century is very highly recommended reading for students of American jurisprudence, criminal psychology, and the non-specialist general reader with an interest in contemporary crime and the American justice system.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, October 19, 2011

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This review is from: Crimes Of The Century: From Leopold and Loeb to O.J. Simpson (Paperback)

This is a great book. Used it for a class that I took. Has many landmark criminal cases and how they have changed laws within the U.S.