Scapegoat: The Truth About the Lindbergh Kidnapping [first edition]

An exceptional copy; fine in an equally fine dw, now mylar-sleeved. Particularly and surprisingly well-preserved; tight, bright, clean and especially sharp-cornered. Literally as new.; 512 pages; Physical desc.: 512 p. ; 23 cm. Subject: Hauptmann, Richard (1899-1936) --Hauptmann, Bruno Richard (1899-1936) --Lindbergh, Charles Augustus (1930-1932) --Kidnapping --New Jersey --Trials (Murder) --Sourland Mountain. Summary: In March 1932 the two-year-old child of America's national hero, Col. Charles Lindbergh, was kidnapped. Two months later he was discovered murdered. Two and a half years later a German, Bruno Richard Hauptmann, was charged with the baby's murder. He was electrocuted in April, 1936. So far as police and public were concerned, the case was closed. There have been other books about this trial, vindicating the verdict. But in recent times doubts began to stir in the mind of the author of this book, himself the leading expert on Mafia matters for the New York Post. He began a long period of deep research. The result is this book. It can be read as a fascinating story of dectection. It will be read by many also as an appalling denunciation of the American "accusatory" system of justice. Mr Scaduto shows conclusively how the police, smarting under public criticism that for two years they had failed to find the criminal, were out for blood. So indeed were the public, and the whole trial was conducted in an atmosphere of hysteria. Time and again Mr Scaduto proves the prosecutor and the police suppressed evidence favourable to the accused, particularly the fact that there was strong evidence that the body discovered was not that of the Lindbergh baby at all. Mr Scaduto does not claim that Hauptmann couldn't have been the culprit. He does maintain that he was sent to the chair on perjured and suppressed evidence. Most readers will agree with him.