Murders in the United States: Crimes, Killers, and Victims of the Twentieth Century (Criminal Justice Series) [Library Binding]

R. Barri Flowers (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 078641037X | ISBN-13: 978-0786410378 | Publication Date: August 2001

From the assassination of President William McKinley on September 6, 1901, to the mass killing at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, the 20th century saw many murderous events that are difficult to contemplate but have become a part of the national history. This reference book is divided into three parts. Part One, arranged chronologically, details 53 of the most famous murder cases of the 20th century in the United States. In Part Two, over 300 entries (alphabetically arranged by criminal) provide descriptions of crimes and are subdivided into male, female, and juvenile murderers; pair and group murderers; hate crime murderers; and school killings. Part Three features crime events related to over 40 selected victims. Cross references guide the reader to additional information. An index is included.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This volume aimed at "researchers, writers, scholars, students, criminal justice professionals, laypersons, and others with an interest in the crime of murder" covers selected homicides from 1900 to 1999.

The book is arranged in three parts. Part 1, "A Century of Murders," surveys each decade from the 1900s to the 1990s, beginning with the assassination of President McKinley and ending with the killings at Columbine High School. Part 2, "A Century of Murderers," is an alphabetical listing organized by types of killers (male, female, juvenile), subdivided by categories such as "Serial Killers," "Caretaker Killers," and "Killers of Celebrities." There are also categories for group murders, hate crimes, and murders in U.S. schools. Part 3, "A Century of Victims," has two subdivisions: "Adult Victims" and "Child Victims."

Entries are brief, with most taking up less than half a page. Cross-references help link the three parts. A list of references including Internet sources and an index of names conclude the volume.

Despite its subject matter, the volume generally manages to avoid sensationalism. The preface states that it is suitable for academic study in disciplines such as criminal justice and criminology. It would also appeal to public library true-crime buffs. Information on some of the same crimes can be found in The Encyclopedia of Modern Murder, 1962-1982 (Putnam, 1985) and World Encyclopedia of Twentieth Century Murder (Paragon House, 1992), but these titles are not as current. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"A convenient source" -- ARBA

"Manages to avoid sensationalism" -- Booklist/RBB

"Useful...recommended" -- The Book Report --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Library Binding: 232 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (August 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078641037X
• ISBN-13: 978-0786410378
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,031,230 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

R. Barri Flowers is an award winning, bestselling author of mystery, thriller, suspense, and romance novels, along with true crime and criminology books, and short fiction. His novels include a brand new eBook private eye mystery, DEAD IN THE ROSE CITY. There is also a print edition available of this title.

Thrillers by the author include, STATE'S EVIDENCE, JUSTICE SERVED, and PERSUASIVE EVIDENCE. Flowers is the editor of the American Crime Writers League mystery anthology, MURDER PAST, MURDER PRESENT and has a noir tale, "The Wrong End of a Gun," in SEATTLE NOIR.

As a nonfiction crime writer, the author's latest book titles include PROSTITUTION IN THE DIGITAL AGE, STREET KIDS, COLLEGE CRIME, and FEMALE CRIME, CRIMINALS AND CELLMATES.

Under the pseudonym, Devon Vaughn Archer, the author has also penned several bestselling mainstream and romance novels, including THE SECRETS OF PARADISE BAY, CHRISTMAS DIAMONDS, KISSING THE MAN NEXT DOOR, DESTINED TO MEET, CHRISTMAS HEAT, and LOVE ONCE AGAIN.

Visit R. Barri's websites at:

http://www.rbarriflowers.com

http://www.devonvaughnarcher.com

Connect with the author on CrimeSpace, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and LinkedIn.