Lizzie Borden Society Forum

I'm new around here; but I've actually been interested in the Lizzie Borden case for more than thirty years. A recent visit to Boston with a side trip to Fall River rekindled my interest in a huge way.

These are the books I have in my library:

Brown, Geary, Hoffman, Holba, Kent, Lincoln, Masterton, Pearson, Radin, Rehak, Senate, Spiering, Sullivan ...

... and just arrived today ... Rebello! (I finally found a copy I could afford ... well barely afford ... it was still $200.) Nevertheless, I have it; and it's a pretty good copy.

I have also recently obtained all the back issues of The Hatchet in pdf form, so I'm enjoying those as well.

Can anyone think of any others I need or might enjoy?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Yes robbchadwick:

You have an impressive little stockpile on the Borden case.

Recognizing how serious you are in collecting books on the murders, one book you need to acquire is Edwin H. Porter's book "The Fall River Tragedy." Of course the original 1893 issue sells between 600 and 1200 dollars, depending on condition and seller. (none on the market as of this writhing) But a reprint, exact copy published in 1985, can be had for between 50 and 75 bucks.

Porter's book is the latchkey publication used by most of the writers you list. It is the first book devoted to the facts on the case and Porter's achievement in writing it was not matched untill 44 years later, when Edmund Pearson published the appropriately named volume "The Trial of Lizzie Borden in 1937.

Another interesting book you may like to have is David Kent's "Lizzie Borden Sourcebook". (not sure which Kent book you have?) A very interesting compendium of news clips of the day, taken from contemporary news papers . This gives us an idea of the buzz on the street in 1892/3. This too I'm sure was used by most of the writers you list. (the news accounts, not Kent's book) A copy can be had for around 25 dollars.

Thanks for the suggestions. I will definitely try to locate a copy of the book by Porter.

I actually have two books by David Kent. I forgot about the one you mentioned because it happens to reside out of order on a shelf for oversized books. Thanks for bringing that one back to my attention.

Can't help but notice the absence of the official documents, ie: The Witness statements, the Inquest, the Preliminary and the Trial.

Harry @ Tue Jun 15, 2010 6:44 am wrote:Can't help but notice the absence of the official documents, ie: The Witness statements, the Inquest, the Preliminary and the Trial.

Thanks, Harry, for the suggestion. Are they in print?

robbchadwick @ Tue Jun 15, 2010 6:47 am wrote:

Harry @ Tue Jun 15, 2010 6:44 am wrote:Thanks, Harry, for the suggestion. Are they in print?

Yes, try browsing here:

http://lizzieandrewborden.com/BordenBooks/index.htm

I know Lulu press has the Trial and Preliminary. You can also get them on CD.

I always recommend the reading of the official documents first. It's what the people actually said not what the authors said they said.

robbchadwick @ Mon Jun 14, 2010 4:02 pm wrote:I'm new around here; but I've actually been interested in the Lizzie Borden case for more than thirty years. A recent visit to Boston with a side trip to Fall River rekindled my interest in a huge way.

These are the books I have in my library:

Brown, Geary, Hoffman, Holba, Kent, Lincoln, Masterton, Pearson, Radin, Rehak, Senate, Spiering, Sullivan ...

... and just arrived today ... Rebello! (I finally found a copy I could afford ... well barely afford ... it was still $200.) Nevertheless, I have it; and it's a pretty good copy.

I have also recently obtained all the back issues of The Hatchet in pdf form, so I'm enjoying those as well.

Can anyone think of any others I need or might enjoy?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Well. robbchick, welcome to the forum!! You do have some very good books by some good authors The book that I absoutly love is the Lizzie Bordon Sourcebook.It's got all the articles that were written at the time and then some. Also too, look into the archives on this site; well be very helpful.