Famous American Crimes and Trials (Crime, Media, and Popular Culture) (5 vol. set) [Hardcover]

Frankie Y. Bailey (Editor), Steven Chermak (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0275983331 | ISBN-13: 978-0275983338 | Publication Date: October 30, 2004

What do Lizzie Borden and O. J. Simpson have in common? Or the Lindbergh baby and Gary Gilmore? They were all the focus of famous crimes and/or trials in the United States. In this five-volume set, historical and contemporary cases that not only shocked the nation but that also became a part of the popular and legal culture of our country are discussed in vivid, and sometimes shocking, detail. Each chapter focuses on a different crime or trial, and explores the ways in which each became famous in its own time. The fascinating cast of characters, the outrageous crimes, the involvement of the media, the actions of the police, and the trials that often surprised combine to offer here one of the most comprehensive set of books available on the subject of famous U.S. crimes and trials.

CRIMES AND TRIALS FEATURED:

Volume 1: 1607-1859. Mary Dyer Trial/Execution; Salem Witch Trials; Blackbeard the Pirate; Peter Zenger Sedition Trial; Boston Massacre Trials; Bathsheba Spooner Murder Case; The Amistad Slave Ship Case; John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry.

Volume 2: 1860-1912. Andersonville Prison Trial; The Molly Maguires Trial; Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County Wars; Gunfight at the OK Corral; Lizzie Borden Murder Trial; Belle Gunness Serial Murder Case; Becker-Rosenthal Murder Trial.

Volume 3: 1913-1959. Leo Frank Case; Sacco and Vanzetti Trial; Fatty Arbuckle Case; Leopold and Loeb Thrill Killing; Scopes Monkey Trial; Scottsboro Boys Trials; Bonnie and Clyde; Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping Case; The Lonely Hearts Killers; Sam Sheppard Case; Emmett Till Case.

Volume 4: 1960-1980. Assassination of JFK; The Boston Strangler; Lenny Bruce Obscenity Trial; Chicago Seven; Angela Davis; My Lai Court Martial; Charles Manson Cult Murder; Attica Prison Riots; Gary Gilmore; Joan Little Trial; Ted Bundy.

Volume 5: 1981-2000. Jack Abbot Murder Case; Green River Serial Murder Case; Henry Lee Lucas; Exxon Valdez Oil Spill; Willie Horton; Rodney King Beating Trial; Polly Klass; O. J. Simpson Trial; Susan Smith; World Trade Center Explosion 1993; Timothy McVeigh Case.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Finally, a mega reference work devoted solely to all of America's famous and infamous crimes and trials....[t]his outstanding reference set is written by scholars for the general public and beyond."-Library Journal

Book Description

Vivid and fascinating accounts of the many famous crimes and trials that have shaken the U.S. and its communities from colonial times to the present.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1500 pages
• Publisher: Praeger (October 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0275983331
• ISBN-13: 978-0275983338
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.2 x 6.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,576,794 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Raises the bar on American Crime Reference sources, December 2, 2004

By 

J. Walker (So Cal.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Famous American Crimes and Trials (Crime, Media, and Popular Culture) (5 vol. set) (Hardcover)

I will first put out this disclaimer--I wrote one of the chapters. That said, this set of books is a must for every library in America which is serious about having a top class reference to crime and its impact on American culture. No other people have had their popular culture shaped so much by disorder, war, conflict, and crime. While the high price for the set puts it out of reach for most people, ask for it at your local library.