Recent Borden Books

[Bob Gutowski]

I just ordered Bill James's new book POPULAR CRIME for my Kindle (hey, it's nearly 500 pages). It was reviewed in today's NY Times, and the critic writes "Readers of Popular Crime will be convinced that Lizzie Borden did not kil her parents." Again, I quote: "...the book is primarily a history of the murders that have obsessed American newspaper readers since Dec.22, 1799, when the body of a young Manhattan woman named Elma Sands was found floating in a well..."

Of no interest whatever will be Ken Summers' QUEER HAUNTINGS, which kicks off with Lizzie/Lizbeth and focuses on Maplecroft. I had a hunch about this chapter, and when I checked the bibliography and found Lincoln's A PRIVATE DISGRACE it was confirmed. Summers hews close to Miss Lincoln's version, playing up Lizbeth's longing for Nance, and all that. Oh, dear.

[DJ]

Well, start in on those 500 pp., Bob, and share the "evidence" for Lizzie's innocence!

[Yooper]

Here's an interesting link for a compilation of historical murder cases:

http://murderbygasslight.blogspot.com/

While they don't deal in the detail we might be used to in the Borden case, it is interesting reading, anyway!

[twinsrwe]

Thanks, Jeff! I enjoyed that link, very much.

[Chichibcc]

I was just wondering as far as reading material on the Lizzie Borden case is concerned, what books would you all recommend? From having searched on Amazon.com, I quickly realized that there are TONS of books that have been written on the subject, and was kinda overwhelmed by how many books are available-I have no idea where to even begin!

Or maybe I should just start with whatever LB books are at my local library, and go from there?

[Yooper]

The one I've had the most use for is "Goodbye Lizzie Borden" by Robert Sullivan. He has some good insights on the legal aspects of the case, he held the same post, Superior Court Judge, that Blodgett, Mason, and Dewey held at the time of Lizzie's trial. I haven't had a copy of Leonard Rebello's book, but that situation should be corrected next week as I await delivery of a copy. Rebello's book seems to be the Borden Bible.

[Chichibcc]

Yes, Rebello's book seems to really be held in high regard here, and I'd love to read it, but getting a copy can be quite expensive-the lowest price I found for it on Amazon.com was $214.95, and that was for a used copy! So I think I'll check out the other book you suggested, and see what else is available at the library for now. Thanks for the recommendations.

[Bob Gutowski]

I would buy Rick Geary's graphic novel, THE BORDEN TRAGEDY. It's not at all grisly and it gives you an unbiased account of the crimes, with a wonderful sense of what life was like in Fall River circa 1892. I've given away many copies as gifts. I think it's the perfect Borden primer!

[Chichibcc]

Thank you-I'll look for that one, also.

[Yooper]

You might want to take a look at Victoria Lincoln's book, too. She has some insights as to the uppah crust in Fall River, as well as some thoughts on Lizzie's dresses which I never would have considered. Some of what she has written has to be taken with a grain of salt, but overall, it's worth reading.

[Bob Gutowski]

Bill James, the author of POPULAR CRIME, leans on the time element, balancing it with the unlikelihood that anyone else might've done it. Since he doesn't bother to delve into the passions and tension in the Borden home, he stays on the surface in many ways. To his credit, he did convince me that judging someone on the basis of statements made while under the influence of a sedative is risky. On the other hand, he places Lizzie, waiting for Maggie to return with Dr. Bowen from across the street, outside the house. We know she was inside the house, and we've all speculated why she chose to stay alone in a house in which there may have been a murderer lurking (unless she was, of course, the culprit, in which case she had nothing to fear). So THAT question never comes up. He is more interested in the sheer lack of time Lizzie would have had to murder Andrew and clean herself up. He also writes, of the Bence affair, "We're not within a mile of clear proof that Lizzie Borden was involved in an effort to poison her family." There was, of course, NO poison found in the victms' stomachs. He adds that there is, without proof of the poison claim, no evidence of a history of violence by the accused towards the victim. Intriguing stuff, no matter what one believes.

[Bob Gutowski]

Hold the phone. I was just re-reading the chapter, and James is reinterpreting and inventing to beat the band. We are told that the only confusion concering what Lizzie said about why she was visiting the barn was because people use to call sinkers "irons." Because, as James puts it, Lizzie was heard saying she was going for sinkers or, some people thought, for a flatiron.

No, no, no. As we know, Lizzie never was quoted as looking for a flatiron. The flatiron not heating up was why she decided to visit the barn for lead to make into sinkers...or a piece of (iron? tin?) to "fix my screen." And they are, indeed, two different things.

[Yooper]

Nowadays, we might interpret "going to the barn for sinkers" as meaning "going to the barn for doughnuts"!

An interesting slight of hand took place when Bowen was questioned about the sedative he prescribed for Lizzie. He prescribed 1/8 grain Sulfate of Morphine, the minimum dose for about a 125 lb. person, later increased to 1/4 grain. Sulfate of Morphine has a unique characteristic in that the maximum dose is exactly double what the minimum dose is, regardless of body mass. This means for a 125 lb. person, 1/8 grain is the minimum and 1/4 grain is the maximum. A double dose of Morphine is double the maximum dose. or 1/2 grain, under the influence of which a person might be subject to disorientation and possibly hallucinations. Lizzie was never prescribed a double dose of morphine! The talk about "doubling the dose" was double talk!

[jcurrie]

I'm currently reading Arnold Brown's book on the case. He seems to be suggesting that the murder was actually committed by an illegitimate son of Andrew Borden's. Although I've not finished reading it, I would be interested to hear from anyone who has read the book and agreed with the author. it seems inconceivable that a man could stay hidden in that very secure house and murder two people without either Lizzie or Bridget being aware of it. I'm prepared to accept that Andrew may have had an illegimate son, but this book seems as credible as the others suggesting either Bridget or Emma were the murderers! Thoughts please.

[hyacinth]

Jcurrie , I've read Arnold Brown's book and it is interesting but his idea of Lizzie conspiring with the town officials to have herself tried to cover up Andrew supposedly having an illegitimate son is ridiculous .