New Book by William D. Spencer

[patsy]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1658204379/?f ... fG4v0Ffegg

Reading from some of the pages and of course the editor's note has piqued my interest. It's "The Case Against Lizzie Borden" on Amazon now.

[twinsrwe]

Nice find Patsy! Thank you for bringing this book to our attention. The few pages I read are factual, and this really increased my interest.

I find it interesting that the book and cover design are by Stefani Koorey. Therefore, I would like to find out what Stefani’s thoughts are on this book. I know mbhenty keeps up on new Lizzie books, so I would like to get his opinion of this book, as well.

[mbhenty]

Yes, as Stefani is editor, I am very aware of this publication. Stefani is working on the kindle version as we speak. The hardcopy was just finished and released this week.

I haven't looked it over or read any of it as of yet but Stefani places this book up there with Rebello and Parallel Lives and considers it a landmark writing on the Borden Murders. If anything for its virtual length. After all it is 800 pages.

[twinsrwe]

Thanks for this valuable information, MB! Since Stefani places this book up there with Rebello and Parallel Lives, then I know it is a must have book. I added a copy of it to my Amazon cart. I see the kindle version is now available on Amazon.

[Stefani]

I LOVE this book. I cannot say enough about it.


Let me share my Editor's Note:

This book was a joy to edit, fact check, and proofread. In my opinion, the author presents the very best history of the Borden murders in print. This is such a complicated story, with so many contradictory situations and statements, both sworn and casual, that it is a daunting task to sort and organize the information in a logical and coherent way. Bill Spencer has done just that.

The book is arranged in chronological order and provides a summary of each day of this case and, sometimes, a moment by moment timeline. For the first time, without the heavy hand of the fiction writer, biased armchair detective, or the push to craft the story around a suspect while disregarding all contradictory evidence, a book tells it like it is, or, rather, like it was. This is an historical record of the murders of 1892 and the subsequent trial in 1893. And it is compelling in every way.

I learned a lot by working on this project—more than I ever thought possible. It is a deep dive into the facts, with logical arguments that pushes one to read the case in a new way. Little moments and statements are now vividly important and help shape the narrative. It is notable that this book uses newspaper accounts in a particular way: as color commentary to the proceedings. Most authors use the newspapers to support their particular viewpoint, instead of understanding this age of “yellow journalism” and gossip reported as fact. We get to know the more famous journalists through their words—quite a new experience!

A few notes about the way the book is sourced: Using primary sources almost exclusively (police witness statements, inquest, preliminary hearing, and trial transcripts), this text is a reliable examination of all legal proceedings. It is a concise and important addition to Borden studies. Sources following a direct quote appear in parenthesis throughout the book to avoid the necessity of endnotes. A brief list of acronyms is presented on the next page for your reference, but I think you will find them self-evident.

Also worthy of mention is the pattern used to indicate when the author inserts a note that would have been a footnote—these are all indicated in parentheses with the text presented in italics. Clarifying comments are not italicized. It is hoped that, with this formatting, the reader can clearly determine between author commentary and traditionally footnoted text in the history of the case.

[twinsrwe]

Wow, Stefani, thank you so much for posting your opinion of this book! I am more intrigued now than ever. If you, with your background and knowledge of the Borden murders of 1892, learned more than you ever thought possible by working on that project, then you have made a tremendously powerful statement.

[patsy]

I have it in my wish list waiting but hopefully not waiting much longer. I had read Stefani's note which clinched it for me. I still prefer books in print format but lately I've noticed that the print seems lighter than it is in a lot of my older books which is kind of frustrating.

[Constantine]

I'm thoroughly sold! Looks like this is the book we've been waiting for. Can't wait to get a copy!

[Bev]

I'm usually quiet on this forum, but I want to report that I'm about three quarters of the way through Spencer's new book. It's a monumental work which reflects a huge amount of research and thoughtfulness regarding the organization of the material. The story unfolds chronologically in a very understandable fashion. I appreciate Spencer's factual, unbiased tone. He seems interested in the truth of the crime no matter where it leads. Where he is forced to speculate, he makes that crystal clear. Several points have been cleared up for me. For example, I've always wondered about Bence--if he was only seeking what we would call his 15 minutes of fame--several authors I've read seem to support that. Spencer goes over the incident at Smith's drug store thoroughly. There were two other men in the store at the time, all agree the woman who asked for prussic acid was Lizzie. Then he goes over the two New Bedford druggists who were on Knowlton's witness list to call about the poison.I could go on, but I won't. I heartily recommend this book--it's well worth the money. I ordered from Amazon and it came in just a couple of days. I will be interested to see what others think.

[Stefani]

That is a great review! Please consider leaving it on Amazon. Reviews actually help!

I am so glad you like Spencer's book. I especially love the reporters "color commentary" on the trial. The descriptions of the cast of characters, etc.

[twinsrwe]

Bev, I need to apologize to you for not welcoming you to the forum the first time you posted; I'm sorry I failed to do this. So, with a humble heart I welcome you to the forum.

I agree with Stefani, Amazon reviews are very valuable to the buyer. I do a lot of shopping at Amazon, and I always check out the reviews. Your review is excellent!

[Nadzieja]

First, I also want to welcome Bev!! Hello there!!!
I ordered this book as soon as it was available, I've read quite a few books on Lizzie. I have to say I love the way Mr. Spencer writes. I love the chronological way he puts it, and his explanations are really well written and very thorough. I'm only about 50 pages in, but every time I sit down I'm picking it up to keep on going. This is really worth reading, I highly recommend it!

[Nadzieja]

Well, I knew I wouldn't get through this without some kind of question!!! P. 132 concerning Alice Russell. It says that Alice went to the detective Hanscom and told him about seeing Lizzie burning the dress. Emma testified that she told Alice to go tell him. Once she did she went back to Lizzie & Emma to let them know that she told him. I always thought that it was Alice that felt guilty about seeing this, then went & told the police, and because of this Lizzie and Alice were no longer friends. I'm trying to find out where I read what I originally thought. Can anyone help me?

[Adminlizzieborden]

I think that part that you remember is sort of shorthand for this series of events. Here is it in Parallel Lives. Two pages.

Emma said at trial she told Alice to go tell the truth. The fact that she was not asked about it at the inquest or PH, is the lawyer's fault, or Pinkerton Detective Hanscom's, who, as we all know, was working for the Bordens.

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[Adminlizzieborden]

I meant to post this as myself and not ADMIN. Sorry about that.

[Nadzieja]

That's perfectly fine!!! I'm just happy to get an answer. I am really enjoying this book!

[Nadzieja]

Ok, I'm confused again! (what else is new?) On pg. 126 it says "Bridget left the Borden house never to live there again. Then on Pg 138 Officer Patrick Doherty went to the Borden House to bring Bridget Sullivan down to police headquarters. Pg 150 At the end of the day (1st day of inquiry) Bridget walked to the Borden house, she picked up her belongings and proceeded with Doherty to the home of her cousin Patrick Harrington at 93 Division St. So, my question was she living somewhere else but still working for the Bordens? Where was she staying until she moved in with her cousin?

[Stefani]

She was across the street at the Miller/Bowen house. p. 112-113, 114, and p. 264. Yes, she came and went but did not sleep there again after Saturday, August 6. Does this help?

[Nadzieja]

That makes sense. What happened after she went to her cousins home? Did she still work for the Bordens? Also I know she went back to Ireland for awhile, was that right after the trial or am I getting ahead of myself? Thank you for answering so quickly!

[Stefani]

She went to Ireland after the trial was over. She worked for Sheriff Wright, I understand, although I don't think Bill covers this in his book.

https://lizzieandrewborden.com/HatchetO ... river.html

https://lizzieandrewborden.com/HatchetO ... avels.html

[Nadzieja]

Thank you Stef!!! I have every copy published of The Hatchet. So I was able to go back and pull the issues. Truthfully that is one magazine I truly miss!!! I'm glad I got them when they were out!