Borden Lizzie Books

Borrowed this book frm the library today; I have read 4 other books previously dealing with the Lizzie Borden case. On page 13, Ms. Rappaport has two photos, identified as Andrew Borden and Abby Borden. However, in every other book about this case that I have read AND the websites I have viewed, these photos are actually Andrew Jennings, Lizzie's attorney, and Bridget Sullivan, the housekeeper- NOT Andrew and Abby Borden. Makes me wonder what else is wrong in this book!!!

I have used this book to introduce students to mock trial. The questioning format is wonderful and makes students think! I wish this book was still in print.

This book tells the whole story about Lizzie Borden and her trial. It tells how on August 4, 1892 Lizzie's Father and Stepmother were murdered in their own home in the morning. A few days later Lizze was taken under arrest for the charge of murder. A year later her trial began. They started with the opening statements then the prosocutors witnesses. Then the defenses witnesses. It was very exciting reading the exact testimonies the exact opening and closing statements seeing pictures of the real dead bodies and the murder weapon and the true virdict. Doreen Rappaport has written an exciting true story about murder.

I was so sad when I got this book. I love the "Weird" series and live in MA, so I could hardly wait to learn some juicy tidbits of weirdness. Unfortunately, that did not happen. I think I would've liked this better if I didn't already own "Weird New England" of which some of the info is taken from. Honestly, there really isn't anything new here. I mean, Salem? Lizzie Borden? Plymouth Rock? Between that and seeing the exact same info (sometimes the exact same pages) from "Weird New England" I was just really disappointed. Too much info that you can find elsewhere. It's still a good series of books though.

I really liked this book, although it was a bit of disappointment to learn that there isn't really anything that spooky about Spider Gates! ha ha I learned a lot of things about my own home state that I didn't even know, this was a great book. Each story is pretty short, so you can always investigate the stories that really interest you further on your own.

I'm from New Jersey but go to school in Mass., so when this book came out I snatched it right up--and I'm very glad I did. It is not only a great addition to the series as a whole, but also a must have companion to the Weird New England book published a few years back. Sure, the obvious stuff is covered here--Salem, Lizzy Borden and so forth--but you really couldn't do a book called Weird Massachusetts and NOT include those stories. It just wouldn't be complete. Even so,the author does a great job of retelling the few obligatory stories that are included here, and somehow manages breathe new life into them through his energetic writing style. But the real tastey meat of this book lies in the material not covered in any previous volumes: like the terrifying stories of Dudley Road, the little know odd finds buried deep in the woods like Deed Rock, and the just plain quirky entries like the story of Sheila Shea's grave (it actually reads "who the hell is Sheila Shea?" In addition to that, there are some chilling tales from some of MA's abandoned place. Sure, most people know of Danvers, but what about Worcester State, Northampton State, and Medfield State hospitals? All are explored here in their creepy and forlorn glory! If you are into Weird and want to know more about its presence in the Bay State, this book has it covered. What more can I say?

Robert Flynn. The Borden Murders: An Annotated Bibliography.

Precisely how much has been written about America's most famous unsolved crime - and by whom? The answer has been deftly supplied by Robert Flynn, doyen of Borden scholars. His annotated bibliographic handlist, which contains titles through 1992, is divided into eleven sections, ranging from Non-Fiction to The Opera/ The Ballet and Poetry and Rhymes - lacking only a section on ms. materials. The annotations are perceptive and succinct and will prove invaluable for the seasoned collector as well as the novice. Hopefully, from time to time Mr. Flynn will issue up-dates/ supplements and even consider adding some documentation of unpublished "sources." His notes would most certainly answer many nagging questions, including the most annoying of all: why the trial transcripts have not been published after nearly 107 years - there are copies in the Boston Public Library and the Fall River Historical Society. Surely it is not for want of an audience! Then there is the matter of two file drawers of legal papers locked away in the law offices founded by Lizzie's attorney George Robinson - beyond doubt the last cache of new historical evidence on one of America's most sensational mysteries. Ostensibly the Borden files are privileged, according to Arnold Rosenfeld (Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers): "The duty to protect confidential information survives death in Massachusetts. That's clear. There's case law." [A rather terse and dismissive statement.] Ah, Lizzie...we are still spellbound. And curious.

The first half of the book was very good but towards the ending chapters it draged on, i still havent read them but its pretty good if you can get past the last few chapters.

If you are fascinated by the Borden case (and apparently many of us are) this is an amazing compilation of biographic information about anyone (even prospective jurors who weren't selected for the jury) linked to the murders and trial. You can dip in and find out about 'Me & Brownie', Hyman Lubinsky, and all the rest, written in an entertaining but informative manner.

I nearly fell out of bed when I read that Lizzie's actress 'friend' Nance O'Neil appeared in the movie 'The Titfield Thunderbolt', one of my favourite British comedies. I'm sorry Mr Hoffman but this was Nancy O'Neil, an Australian actress born in 1911.

I sincerely hope this is the only flaw in what appears to be an otherwise meticulously researched book.

When I bought this book, I thought I was buying a history of Fall River, Massachusetts. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it's a reference book, comprised of everyone who was ever involved personally in the Lizzie Borden murder case. Bios are listed alphabetically and I can't think of anyone Mr. Hoffman's left out. I gave this book 4 stars because there are some errors here and there, and more photos of those we don't usually see would have been fantastic. Still, it's a good piece of work and fascinating whether you're looking up a person or if you just want to sit and read it cover to cover. Don't miss it before it becomes unavailable, as many Lizzie Borden books do.

this book is extraordinary in its vivid imagery without falling into a lot of the traps that story based poetry seems to have. the stories are in the poems without dominating them. the stories are merely the jumping off point for pools of description that make ruth whitman's poetry timeless. i just discovered ruth whitman through this book and i'm very glad that i have. i have a feeling any poetry lover would feel the same about this book.

If you only buy one book about the Llzzie Borden murder case, this is the one to have.

Probably the best and most lucid book on the subject. Judge Sullivan presents the facts of the case in a fair light without personal embellishments.

My book came and was what I had expected. My transaction was satisfactory.

This is an analysis of the Borden case from a legal point of view by a former judge. The facts are well-presented and the legal insights and arguments are convincing, but the impartial reader will sense and be annoyed by the author's clear bias against Lizzie throughout much of the book. The book would have been strengthened by a fairer ad more even-handed, two-sided approach. Even so, it's an excellent piece of factual and analytical work.

David Rehak
author of "Did Lizzie Borden Axe For It?"

The last page gives the personal history of Robert Sullivan, a judge of the Massachusetts Superior Court, who presided over a hundred murder cases. The 'Bibliography' lists many books, few of which are readily available. It does not list the books by Edmund Pearson and Edward Radin which covered this case for general readers. The one best book since 1991 is David Kent's "Forty Whacks". The best solution is still Arnold Brown's book. Sullivan seems quite biased in Appendix III about "the purchase of possession of ... poison", given that Lizzie didn't purchase or possess a poison; the attempted purchaser could have been a look-alike. Professor Borchard's book was available to Sullivan. Many believed that Lizzie was guilty and paid off somebody to be found 'not guilty'. Arnold Brown explained why Lizzie did not commit the murders and paid off the authorities to be found 'not guilty'. An appointed judge should know how things work in politics. You can study Sullivan's picture and judge his personality for yourself. Agnes de Mille's book quoted the daughters of a physician about the murders: there was a secret that was never revealed.

The 'Preface' considers the fascination of the unsolved murders of the Bordens. It may be due to the logical paradox that Lizzie was the remaining prime suspect but she couldn't have done it. No blood spatter on her clothes, not murder weapon, being seen outside at the time of Andrew's death. The legend of a cold-blooded spinster killer seems to meet the inner need of people who believe it. Sullivan read the two-thousand page transcript on microfilm to give his own opinions in this book. The record cannot contain the actual environment seen and heard by the jury, who decided the facts in this case. A transcript doesn't capture the tone of the answers.

Sullivan's bias is show by his dependence on the words of 90-year old Abby Borden Whitehead Potter who was ten years old at the time, and was never interviewed by anyone. That is not an astonishing fact (p.4)! She was both a child and not a witness. The Great Depression saw the decline of Fall River in the 1920s (p.6). In the early 18th century the Bordens owned all of Fall River (p.7). In the 19th century industrial Fall River was the third largest city in the state. A few families formed the ruling class of Fall River (p.8). Why did Lizzie change her name (p.20)? Fashions change, "Lizzie" became the generic name for a servant (the 'tin lizzie'). Sullivan's story about the "Day of Horror" is biased against Lizzie. You have to read other books to know this. Sullivan's explanation of 19th century law is not exact. Massachusetts in 1877 was the first state to require Medical Examiners, used in Europe for decades (p.43).

Sullivan was puzzled over D.A. Knowlton's offer (p.54). Was this just a ruse to learn defense strategy? Lizzie was indicted only after Alice Russell testified again (p.55). Lizzie pled "not guilty" (p.56). The Fall River ruling class supported Lizzie (p.60). [Did they know the secret?] Sullivan's prejudice is shown by comments on ME Dolan's testimony (p.123). Sullivan comments on Jennings' statement on reasonable doubt (p.145). Sullivan's bias caused his error about the newspaper advertisement on page 37 (p.161). In his charge to the jury Judge Justin Dewey subtly argued for the defense (p.172). Dewey was never sanctioned for this; was it for the sake of justice? Sullivan's bias is shown on page 182. The "expert testimony" was against the facts known to the jurymen who slaughtered cows, pigs, and sheep on their farms. After the trial Knowlton was elected Attorney General of the state, and Jennings was elected D.A. of the county. Was this the reward for their actions in the trial?

This would have been a better book if Sullivan had squelched his bias in telling the story, but unloaded in a long final chapter. Many of his quibbles were answered in Arnold Brown's book, which solved the crime and explained the discrepancies. Unlike most authors over the past seven decades Brown was honest enough to admit he couldn't prove it. But no one else can, ever.

Robert Sullivan makes a strong case that Lizzie Borden might have gotten off, even if she committed the crime. Oddly enough for a judge, he confuses this with proving that she did commit it. Sullivan starts off with the assumption that she was guilty, briskly rejects any other possibilities, and lo and behold, he finds her to be guilty.

I would recommend this book to anyone with a strong interest in the case. It has all sorts of information that is not included elsewhere about a similar crime that could have thrown off suspicion, the backgrounds of the jurors, etc.

Sullivan simply rejects the idea that anyone else could have done it. The suggestion that it might have be Bridget Sullivan is quickly dismissed without examinaton: "Bridget didn't do it."

I feel informed, but not at all convinced. I recommend Kent's Forty Whacks: New Evidence in the Life and Legend of Lizzie Borden as the best book that I have ever read on the subject, and Edgar Radin's Lizzie Borden: The untold story (A Dell book) as the second.

The author investigated the unsolved mystery of the Borden Murders by reading the trial transcripts, newspapers, interviews, and the statements of witnesses. He invented a surprise solution: Emma did it! I can't believe his conclusion.

His book is worth reading because of all the background information he provides about the case, including some pictures not seen in earlier books. It provides more information on Emma and the aftermath of the trial than in previous books. It tells of the vicious campaign by the Fall River GLOBE against Lizzie, altho the Providence JOURNAL's editorial after the trial was more damning: "if she knows who did it, why doesn't she speak out?". Spieing (p.197) repeats the story of the 1897 confession altho E. Radin's book exposed it as a forgery in 1961, which he admits in his Notes (p.237).

The best books are still Arnold R. Brown's masterpiece (which solved the crime), and David Kent's book of background material. Edmund Pearson's book is not generally available, nor is Edward Radin's (a crime reporter for a major NYC newspaper).

Lizzie, by Frank Spiering

Frank Spiering recreates this story of a famous unsolved murder from trial testimony, court records, interviews, and contemporary records (newspapers). Spiering has a new solution, a person never before suspected. But also one investigated by the police and cleared as a suspect. This book is worth reading because of all the background material that is not found in other books on this case. Its solution can be contrasted to those from other writers. Most tried to blame one of those present at the scene. Reading true crime stories will tell you that an intruder did the crime when the inhabitants of a house are not guilty.

'Part I' starts out with descriptions that sound like from an eyewitness, not recreated from the Trial Transcript and the author's visit to the settings (p.235). Spiering paints a detailed and colorful picture of Lizzie's life. But not all is true: "sugary clusters" (p.6). There are profuse details about that week in August 1892, but no evidence of any chemical poisoning (p.14). Spiering spins a great story. His writings make the events come alive to the reader. The false story in the Boston 'Globe' resulted in a wave of sympathy for Lizzie (p.101). The murder of Bertha Manchester, whose wounds were just like Abby's, said the axe killer was on the loose (p.107). 'Part II' tells about the trial. The cross-examination of Thomas Kieran revealed that a person laying where Abby body was could not be seen from the stairs unless a person knew where to look. A person standing in the hall could not see it either (p.119). Marshall Fleet conceded that a thorough search was done and no blood stained garments were found (p.135). Officer Mullaly testified to finding the broken handle (p.136)! This contradicted Fleet's testimony. Captain Desmond and Detective Seaver testified as to the thorough search (p.139). At the end Judge Dewey summed up the case against the Prosecution (pp.173-174). The jury quickly decided 'not guilty'.

'Part III' tells of their lives over the next 34 years. Lizzie became shunned by most of Fall River. She often visited the big cities for theatres and shopping. Emma became more of a recluse, moving to a small town in New Hampshire. The big fault in this book is to blame Lizzie and Emma for the murders. Emma's presence in Fairhaven was checked out, she had an alibi. Bridget was outside when Abby was murdered, she was not a suspect in Andrew's death. Lizzie was outside when Andrew was murdered; she said she was in the cellar toilet around the time of Abby's death. Neither had blood spatter on their dresses, a murder weapon was never found. "There was someone else in the house who performed the murders and took the weapon with them when they left" (p.143).

Residing in Fall River, Massachusetts, makes you curious as to whether the house is haunted. If that is true, what kind of recount would the walls tell? No one knows for sure what happened that hot morning of August 4, 1892 in the home of Andrew and Abbie Borden, with the exception of those who were there, but no is alive from that time in history, to tell us. The city of Fall River was divided in half, supporting Lizzie's innocence and those who firmly believed in her guilt. We, are only left to speculate and to judge Lizzie for ourselves. A true American "Unsolved Mystery".

This is a well-written account of the Borden case that nevertheless plays fast and loose with the facts. Written almost in a novelistic style. Indeed, there are times when one forgets he is reading what is supposed to be non-fiction. The author theorizes that Emma killed the elder Bordens.

David Rehak
author of "Did Lizzie Borden Axe For It?"

Residing in Fall River, Massachusetts, makes you curious as to whether the house is haunted. If that is true, what kind of recount would the walls tell? No one knows for sure what happened that hot morning of August 4, 1892 in the home of Andrew and Abbie Borden, with the exception of those who were there, but no is alive from that time in history, to tell us. The city of Fall River was divided in half, supporting Lizzie's innocence and those who firmly believed in her guilt. We, are only left to speculate and to judge Lizzie for ourselves. A true American "Unsolved Mystery".

This book will surprise you. I always thought that Lizzie was innocent. The ending really got me.

More than half of the book is Lizzie's inquest. Most people interested in the Borden murder have read this. It is in many Lizzie Borden books. The inquest seemed like filler to give the book more pages. The book comes up with an interesting theory but thats all it is, a theory, no evidence. Certainly a real psychic would know where that tomahawk is. Traces of blood and finger prints on the alleged murder weapon and where the murder weapon can be found is what a real psychic would be able to show. Can't solve a crime without any evidence.

I have read the previous limited edition of the book. All I have to say if that you are a "fan" of the Lizzie Borden murder case, you will have to obtain and read this book. It gives a very different slant on this whole event. Debbie Senate is truly a gifted medium, I have seen her in action, and she is for real. A must have book, well done and worth the price of admission. Great stuff with a different approach to a baffling murder case. Debbie Senate solves the case! Buy the book!

While the crimes chronicled in this book are certainly great and unsolved, the descriptions lack power of delivery. They also go on much too long, the same message could have been delivered with far fewer words. The crimes discussed are:

*) The skyjacking by the man known only as D. B. Cooper
*) The murder of Serge Rubinstein
*) The theft of artworks from the Brooklyn museum
*) The kidnapping of Charlie Brewster Ross, supposedly the first kidnapping ever done in the United States.
*) The lost archeological find known as "The Peking Man."
*) The Borden axe murders.

If you are interested in unsolved crimes in general and these in particular, you will be better served by looking elsewhere.

I read this book rather quickly.The brief accounts of what happened leaves you wondering why the author left out details.I believe this book is better suited for the young adult reader catergory.
One chapter about a kidnapping is very drawn out and is hard to read because it seems like the writer has no idea what to right.It drags on with very detailed descriptions of everything that is unimportant.
If you have a interest in Mystery and just want something Quick to read this book is perfect and most of the Chapters are interesting and worth reading.

I think the author in this book did not make the most of the excellent stories, which, if properly written, would have made this an excellent book.

This book tells about six famous unsolved crimes, now long forgotten. It is an easy reading book that does not tell why these crimes were selected. "The Great Free Fall Robbery" is about the hijacking of an airliner by "D.B. Cooper". "Murder on Fifth Avenue" is about the death of Serge Rubinstein in 1955. He was an "international financier". "The Ten Hot Old Masters" tells about the 1933 theft from the Brooklyn Museum. "The Man with the Monkey Nose" is about the first kidnapping in 1874 America. Charley Ross was kidnapped and never found even after the ransom money was paid. "The Vanishing Bones" tells about the bones of "Peking Man" which disappeared during the turmoil of World War II.

"The Ma and Pa Murders" covers the murder of Abby and Andrew Borden in 1892 Fall River Massachusetts. After Lizzie Borden was acquitted, self-appointed amateur investigators began trying to reverse the verdict. Many people today have the idea she was guilty! Besides Lizzie and their maid Bridget, there was a strange young man hanging around the Borden house that morning who was never identified or found. Andrew Borden was a self-made millionaire who operated just within the letter of the law. He was hated by the small businessmen he had ruined, the mill hands he exploited, the tenants he evicted, and the debtors who had to pay usurious interest rates. Abby was little known and had no known enemies. Lizzie was known as a "warm, kind, and loving person" who did church welfare work. A real estate deal in 1887 put a house in Abby's name.

August 4, 1892 was another ordinary day, but a heat wave was hitting Fall River. Andrew left home after 9 AM to go downtown to his bank, then returned around 10:40. Bridget saw Andrew resting on the couch when she went upstairs to her third floor attic bedroom. Bridget came down just after 11 AM when Lizzie screamed for her. Lizzie said she had gone out to the backyard, to the barn, to the loft in the barn before she returned to find Andrew dead. No one else was known to be in the house. Later Abby was found, killed almost two hours before Andrew. Lizzie said "it wasn't Bridget or anyone who worked for Father"! So Lizzie was the logical suspect. She had given conflicting statements at the inquest.

The legend of a dutiful daughter slaughtering her parents seemed to fill some void in the psychology of people, so they believe this. Public opinion favored Lizzie; her pastor, associates in the YMCA, WCTU, suffragettes, and women's rights supported her defense. Lizzie's statements at the inquest were banned from the trial (no Miranda warning). People believed the police were trying to frame Lizzie because they could not solve the crime. Did a five year old real estate transfer cause Lizzie to suddenly snap? Could Lizzie be both a cunning criminal and a blundering idiot? The jury quickly found her 'not guilty'. Lizzie and Emma bought a bigger house and lived together for 12 years. Then Emma moved away to live in seclusion in New Hampshire. Lizzie lived well until her death in 1927. Emma died two weeks later. This case has never been lifted "above passion and excited feeling, into ... reason and law". [David Kent's "40 Whacks" presents a more complete story of this case.]

I read this book rather quickly.The brief accounts of what happened leaves you wondering why the author left out details.I believe this book is better suited for the young adult reader catergory.
One chapter about a kidnapping is very drawn out and is hard to read because it seems like the writer has no idea what to right.It drags on with very detailed descriptions of everything that is unimportant.
If you have a interest in Mystery and just want something Quick to read this book is perfect and most of the Chapters are interesting and worth reading.

From the point of view of Borden researchers, the meat of the book consists of five essays previously published in The Hatchet or the Lizzie Borden Quarterly. Dr. Holba has cleverly packaged these as a college textbook designed to teach students to use critical thinking skills to analyze narratives of all kinds. Lizzie Borden's story is a good choice for this: it has blood, mystery, murder, and hints of unsavory sex; it's a story that almost everybody has heard about but whose facts and folklore are widely divergent; there is a great deal of written evidence from the time and a number of retellings.

The Lizzie researcher who isn't interested in critical theory is unlikely to find anything new here.

The Lizzie researcher who is interested in narratives qua narratives will wonder why there isn't a chapter explaining Lizzie's lifelong notoriety in terms of Michel Foucault's carceral continuum.