Lynch Law [Paperback]

Jim Conover (Author), James Brecher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 28, 1998

A documentary in great narrative form, this book is a well told and exciting true tale of America's western frontier history that I believe warrants a place in America's written history as much as do the James gang, the Daltons, Billy the Kid or Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. It is a great example of true frontier justice meted out by citizens when they have reached a boiling point with outlaws. Lynch Law takes you back to that time and lets you witness the true story behind the lynching as it unfolds.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

In 1869, Tazewell County, Illinois, located along the East side of the Illinois River, was on the very edge of the western frontier. Law and order had been established, but the citizens were terrorized by a gang of horse thieves which included four brothers. They commit horse stealing, burglary, robbery, assaults and even murder until finally it culminated when they ambushed a posse and murdered a deputy sheriff, brother to the local sheriff. Angry citizens mete out their own justice. Lynch Law tells in narative form, an accurate account of the incidents leading up to, during, and after enraged citizens attacked the jail and lynched one of the gang before being stopped by a tough city marshal. A great piece of America's frontier history.

From the Author

Lynch Law is the result of a long and hard research project undertaken by co-author James Brecher and I over a period of two years that led us through many libraries, court houses and homes. We were able to find many court documents and newspaper articles of the time. We also obtained personal records from descendants of the Berrys to help us in the development of an accurate account of the incident.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 297 pages
• Publisher: Lynch Law Productions; 1st edition (December 28, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966947207
• ISBN-13: 978-0966947205
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,400,123 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History, July 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Lynch Law (Paperback)

I just returned from the Pekin area. I finished reading "Lynch Law" this past winter. I enjoyed detail the writer used in describing the area. I felt like I knew the area when I drove arrived in the Pekin area. I found the book to be acruate in its lay out of the towns and area. I plan to reread the book now that I have been in the area. I enjoyed the mixture of history and mystery.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Example of Midwest History!, December 29, 1999

By 

Tom Carter (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lynch Law (Paperback)

One of the most realistic writings of midwestern history that I've ever read. The author made you feel like you were right there during the trial and lynching. What an exciting book! We are expecting great things from this author!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Family history, December 27, 2010

By 

Kelly A. Larimore "bookworm" (Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lynch Law (Paperback)

As a member of the family whose tale this book revolves around I must commend the authors for the research involved and that the truth behind much of the tale was revealed. I am still in Pekin, Illinois and am pleased to see some of my family's history written for prosperity. While the subject matter is sad, I appreciate the work that went into the writing of this book. This is a well written, accurate history (as well as the family tradition holds for this tale) that is told in a respectful and unbiased way.