The “riveting behind-the-scenes story” of the infamous rampage that killed eight student nurses in Chicago (Vincent Bugliosi). On the night of July 14th, 1966, drifter Richard Benjamin Speck broke into a Chicago dormitory that housed eight student nurses. One by one, Speck raped, strangled, and stabbed them to death in a sadistic sexual frenzy. Miraculously, one victim, Corazon Amurao, … Corazon Amurao, survived by hiding under the bed during the long, nightmarish ordeal. By morning Speck had changed the landscape of American crime.
Now, award-winning Chicago journalist Dennis L. Brea and prosecuting attorney William J. Martin reveal the never-before told story of one of the most appalling mass murders in history–from the killer’s twisted upbringing to the lives and deaths of his innocent victims to the massive manhunt and investigation and the trial that held the country spellbound. Meticulously researched with scores of interviews, including that of Speck’s lone survivor, TheCrime of the Century is “the richly detailed and riveting behind-the scenes story of the crime that murdered American innocence and ushered in the era of mass murder” (Vincent Bugliosi, author of Helter Skelter).
more
So much to learn that I never read about in the newspapers!
A lot going on
great book but extremely sad real story.
Recommend if you like true stories. A little long, thought some of the trial planning could have been condensed.
Very well written portrayal of a tragic event. Learned about how trials are prepared and events that lead up to prosecution of such a horrible crime.
This book is outstanding. Some “law related” books take unnecessary liberties with the facts, the dialogue, or the procedures behind the legal process. This book is genuine, and is “true to form” regarding the real way cases are developed and tried by real lawyers. I have been involved in the law for 42 years (a trial judge for 25). I have some friends on our state Supreme Court that enjoy books that are accurate legally and also tell a compelling story. I have recommended this book to them. Well done !
The Crime of the Century is a good read. For those interested in legal battles, this book is a treat, fast paced and well-researched. It’s an intelligent mix of courage and cowardice, passion and resignation as well as loss and triumph. Behind historical events changing the American landscape in the 60s, the book rolls on inexorably towards its end that leaves questions about man’s humanity and inhumanity .
I was only a child when these murders took place, but I remember the news media reports. This book does a good job of recreating the events.
Sad, but interesting if this is your genre. I lived three blocks down the street from where this happened – after it happened.
This was a well written book about the Richard Speck murders that occurred in July 1966. The author provided a well researched history of this terrible tragedy of the murders of 8 nursing students that occurred in Chicago. I would recommend this book to anyone that is interested in historical true crime.