The Lizzie Borden Sourcebook [Hardcover]

David Kent (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1992

The Borden murders of a century ago in Fall River, Massachusetts, captured the imagination of the world as had the Jack the Ripper murders a few years earlier in London's West End. Beginning the following year, book after book appeared on the market, each stressing the bias of the writer or nominating another candidate for the role of villain. Until this sourcebook, no one has been content to present the chronicling of events as they unfolded and leave the verdict to the reader. Here you will find reproductions of 41 newspapers, from Fall River to New Orleans to San Francisco, official correspondence and transcripts, as well as information on the plays, opera and ballet inspired by the legendary crimes. Lizzie Borden is an authentic legend, as much a part of Americana as Johnny Appleseed or Billy the Kid. She will remain so, forever condemned by many as guilty of the murders of her father and stepmother though pronounced innocent by a jury of her peers. Welcome to the unsolvable mystery! Welcome to the second hundred years!

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 355 pages
• Publisher: Branden Books; First Edition edition (June 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0828319502
• ISBN-13: 978-0828319508
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #868,670 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Did She or Didn't She?, May 28, 2001

By 

Troy Grove - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lizzie Borden Sourcebook (Hardcover)

Did Lizzie Borden murder her father and stepmother with an axe? This book will not provide you with an answer to that question but it will provoke the reader to begin a journey for the truth. The Lizzie Borden Sourcebook is interesting because it contains copies of all the original newspaper articles written about the double murders of Andrew and Abby Borden. Adding to the book's authenticity, are the many enjoyable pen and ink drawings of the key players and landmarks pertaining to this puzzling murder mystery. I certainly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in mysteries, true crime, or Lizzie Borden.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating first-hand accounts, October 15, 2001

By 

Laura James (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lizzie Borden Sourcebook (Hardcover)

This book is a compilation of hundreds of newspaper articles in chronological order about the Lizzie Borden case, from initial coverage of the "shocking crime" to news accounts about Lizzie's death decades later. Many articles surprise the reader with their blatant factual errors, while others impress with eloquent writing. Some of the journalists who covered the Borden trial were insightful and gifted writers. The book has no photos, but it does have several dozen pen-and-ink drawings. The book also includes the complete transcript of Lizzie Borden's testimony at the inquest. I would recommend the book to any Borden buff.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lizzie, December 30, 2006

By 

Robbie De Clercq (Gent, Belgium) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Lizzie Borden Sourcebook (Hardcover)

Although this book is somewhat different to other true crime books, it's still a great read. A compilation of hundreds of newspaper articles, it is interesting to follow the personal opinion of some of the journalists. Some of them aren't even looking for the truth, they just want to give the gory details. The book shows articles, starting with the discovery of the bodies untill Lizzie's death. I guess no one will ever get to know the truth, but isn't that what makes the story of Lizzie Borden so great?