The Zebra Murders: A Season of Killing, Racial Madness, and Civil Rights (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This look at a largely forgotten reign of terror in San Francisco in 1973 and 1974 is an interesting if superficial true police procedural. Sanders, the SFPD's first African-American chief of police, was one of the lead detectives on the case code-named the Zebra Murders, involving a group of African-American men who, apparently racially motivated, were targeting whites in vicious random acts of violence that claimed 15 lives. The book reads less like an objective assessment of these events than a memoir of Sanders's experiences with the investigation and his role in a civil lawsuit against the SFPD to combat rampant racial discrimination. Oddly, about halfway in, the authors break the linear narrative with information derived only at the case's end, rather than lay out the police work and discoveries as they happened. The efforts to compare the police tactics with post-9/11 targeting of Muslims will strike most readers as labored despite Sanders's insistence that the killings were acts of political terror, not mere serial killings. Nonetheless, this serves as a useful introduction to the case. (Oct.)
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Review

"A riveting read . . .THE ZEBRA MURDERS is notable for its steady, measured prose, and its unblinking reporting of the people, cultures, and events of that turbulent time. . . . Much more than a straightforward true crime report." -- Lisa's List, WHRO Radio, September 29, 2006

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Arcade Publishing (September 20, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559708069
• ISBN-13: 978-1559708067
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #712,334 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Unfactual, October 12, 2006

By	Ray Batz (Incline Village, NV) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Former San Francisco Chief of Police Sanders' book comes up short on meeting most standards of objectivity. I am personally acquainted with a number of retired San Francisco police officers who worked on the Zebra case. All recall that Sanders played, at best, a minor role in solving the case and bringing the killers to trial. Sanders' lack of objectivity and obvious attempt at self promotion render his book a less than factual read when compared to the Clark Howard book, "Zebra" written in the early '80s.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not a good book!, January 6, 2007

By	Jeffrey B. Falzone "demedici" (michigan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this book with the hope of enhancing my limited knowledge on this critical time in the city of San Fransico that took place back in the 1970's. I did read Clark Howards book on the same subject about 25 years ago. After reading Mr Sanders version of the events I wonder if they were both writing about the same incident. Needless to say, Mr. Sanders book leaves one with the feeling that the real crime was the fact that the Mayor of S.F. and the police were using every means at there disposal to put a stop to these horrible crimes.
One fact that seems to be at odds with Mr. Sanders is the fact that after months of frustration, the police were able to create a crack in the case within a week of finally taking drastic actions in regards to a dragnet in the area where most of the killings took place. This is in direct contrast to the point that Mr. Sanders makes throughout the book which is to say that the then S.F. police department was completely corrupt and unable to solve crimes because they were so at odds with most of the citizens of S.F. A point most everyone else disputes.
I believe the fact that the crime was solved only after the police applied direct pressure speaks for itself in terms of whatit really took to put a stop to these killers.
I would not recommend this book to anyone who is searching for a truthful, insighful and accurate telling of this tragic chapter in the city by the bay.

27 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not the real story!, September 11, 2006

By	Truth "Sally" - See all my reviews

I recommend that you read the ORIGINAL "Zebra" by Clarke Howard. THAT is the TRUE story, taken from transcripts, police reports, etc. Sanders was not the lead inspector on this case, and seems to be taking credit where it is NOT due. He was being trained at the time by the real lead inspectors, and is attempting to pass himself off as the one that solved the case, which he is not. It is shameful that someone would try to take credit for a case which he did not actually solve. If you want the real story, written by an independent author, get your hands on the book by Clarke Howard. This is merely the author's attempt at unwarranted self promotion.