BOOKS THREAD

One of my favourite true crime books is "Redrum the Innocent" by Kurt Makin. Truly. http://www.amazon.com/Redrum-Innocent-Christine-Controversial-Conviction/dp/0670838918

 

Just finished "For the Thrill of It" about the 1924 murder trial of Leopold and Loeb. Author is Simon Baatz, I believe. Extremely compelling and full of those little nuggets of information that render one speechless. Awesome book.

 

Another recommendation. Great book.

 

"Unbroken", right?

I thought it was pretty good, but I'd be careful how I used "phenomenal." The story was phenomenal. The book was pretty good. I thought the first couple chapters were very well written, but that the rest was kind of clunky.

 

I also recently finished "The War Lovers: Roosevelt, Lodge, Hearst, and the Rush to Empire, 1898"

I thought it was pretty solid. I'm eager to read more about Roosevelt. Morris's trio are all near the top of my reading list. "The War Lovers" doesn't get caught up casting any of its main characters as blood hungry heathens, but rather real people with attributes both positive and negative. Roosevelt, meanwhile, is portrayed as a force of nature who's at-times ridiculous ideas were usually backed up by his incredible ability to succeed.

 

"Unbroken" - my bad.

 

"Charles Jessold, Considered as a Murderer" by Wesley Stace. Holy shit. Phenomenal. So many hints. So many layers. So shocked by ending.

 

I've been meaning to read his stuff. Don't know if you're familiar with his background, but Wesley Stace is John Wesley Harding, a pretty darn good singer/songwriter who's been recording for 20+ years. His early stuff is fairly Elvis Costello-ish. (Wesley Stace is his real name.)

 

Thirded.

 

I've plugged this here before but The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston is incredible. Picture the BTK killer never being found. But over several decades, seven different people are arrested and charged with being him and several are actually convicted, only to be exonerated later. Then, while investigating the story, Bob Woodward is charged with obstruction and the prosecutor hints that he's actually the killer. And many of the people arrested are taken into custody because the prosecutor relies on the rantings of Alex Jones. That's basically The Monster of Florence.

There is a movie version with George Clooney coming out at some point.

 

Also recommend "The Monster of Florence," especially in light of the Amanda Knox case. Same prosecutor - a seemingly horrifying individual. Perhaps the book should have been titled "The Monsters of Florence" instead. Great read.

 

I googled Stace after I read the book, but I wasn't sure what kind of music he made. He is one talented dude. The book starts out a little slow, and there were several moments where I thought I had missed something, but all is explained in the final few chapters. And I love "wow" endings. This book certainly provides that. You must read, PC.