True Crime

Non-Fiction

788

2018-06-26 17:19:43

The first example of American true-crime writing was an account of Mayflower pioneer John Billington, who came to America to evade his London creditors and murdered a fellow colonist with his fowling piece. Schechter, professor of American literature at Queens College, captures this entry from William Bradford’s The History of Plymouth Plantation in this extensive (50 selections) and eerily fascinating collection. Writers expected (Damon Runyon, Truman Capote, Jimmy Breslin, and Dominick Dunne) rub shoulders with the unexpected (Ben Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, and James Thurber). What keeps this volume from seeming either sensationalistic or chaotic is Schechter’s commentary. His introduction is a brilliant overview of styles of American crime writing, from Puritan execution sermons, through lurid penny-press accounts, and all the way to the literary journalism of In Cold Blood. Each entry is given a short introduction, explaining context and significance. Great as a reference tool or for escapist reading. --Connie Fletcher

9781598530315

364.15

1

~$12.91

2024-05-31

2018-06-26 17:19:43