Synopses & Reviews
The Story of One of the Most Remarkable Trials in All History! Sensational trials--the Menendez brothers, the Rodney King case, the Preppie Murder--are not unique to the age of television. The year 1900 saw one of the most dramatic criminal trials in American history, described by one newspaper at the time as America's most remarkable murder case.
When William Marsh Rice, the founder of Rice University, was found dead in the New York City quarters he shared with his only servant, suspicion immediately fell on Albert Patrick, a young lawyer. Rice, whose fortune was pledged to Rice Institute (later Rice University), had, it seemed, been killed by chloroform poisoning and his will forged to give Patrick his vast estate. Patrick was immediately arrested and, in a spectacular trial, tried for first-degree murder, a crime then punishable by execution.
In this combination murder mystery and murder history, Martin Friedland recounts the events leading up to the trial and the case as it played itself out in court. Skillfully guiding the reader through the trial and its outcome, Friedland sheds new light on the events, casting doubt on what, at first glance, seems an ironclad case.
Provocatively illustrated with over 60 photographs that capture the circumstances of the trial and the mood of New York City at the turn of the century, The Death of Old Man Rice is not only a gripping tale of murder and intrigue, but a timely window onto many aspects of criminal justice in America. Touching on issues of great contemporary relevance-- such as the influence of the popular press; the purchase of expert witnesses; the problems of multiple appeals; the inadequacy of penal institutions; and the advantages of wealth--Friedland combines scholarship with suspense in his trademark who done it style.
A murder mystery, a historical study, and a fascinating window into the world of forensic science, The Death of Old Man Rice is that rare book that can engage any reader.
Review
"Rarely rivaled by real life or fiction as a gripping narrative, the William Marsh Rice case is the subject of Martin L. Friedland's authoritative account. . . . A fascinating depository of information that invites readers to develop their own theories of what happened. . . . A gripping and completely trustworthy account of one of the great criminal stories of our century." -Houston Chronicle,
Review
"Friedland proves himself an indefatigable researcher, breathing life into a case laid to rest decades ago." -Publishers Weekly,
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"I found the book fascinating!" -James A. Baker III,former U.S. Secretary of State
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"I found the book fascinating!"
Review
Insightfully argued and deeply researched, The Politics of Latino Faith offers a compelling look at one of the most important yet undervalued aspects of Hispanic life in the United States. Catherine Wilson combines vivid descriptive writing, a strong narrative voice and clear theoretical analysis to produce a valuable book.-Roberto Suro,author of Strangers Among Us: Latino Lives in a Changing America
Review
There is simply much that we do not know about faith-based organizations, their nature, and how they go about providing social services. . . . This book deals directly with a topic that is virtually virgin territory. A much needed contribution.-Stephen Monsma,author of When Sacred and Secular Mix: Religious Non-Profit Organizations and Religious Money
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"A pioneering work examining Latino faith-based organizations. Recommended."-Choice,
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“Wilson's text is a noteworthy, vital addition to research on the nexus of U.S. Latino religion and politics.”
-Journal of Church and State,
Synopsis
Pundits and commentators are constantly striving to understand the political behavior of Latinos—the largest minority in the United States and a key voting block. As Catherine E. Wilson makes clear in
The Politics of Latino Faith, not only are Latinos a religious community, but their religious institutions, in particular faith-based organizations, inform daily life and politics in Latino communities to a considerable degree.
Timely and discerning, The Politics of Latino Faith is a unique scholarly work that addresses this increasingly powerful political force. As Wilson shows, Latino religious institutions, whether congregations or faith-based organizations, have long played a significant role in the often poor and urban communities where Latinos live.
Concentrating on urban areas in the South Bronx, Philadelphia, and Chicago, she provides a systematic look at the spiritual, social, and cultural influence Latino faith-based organizations have provided in American life. Wilson offers keen insight into how pivotal religious identity is in understanding Latino social and political involvement in the United States. She also shows the importance of understanding the theological underpinnings at work in these organizations in order to predict their political influences.
About the Author
Martin L. Friedland is Professor of Law at the University of Toronto and author of the widely acclaimed The Trials of Martin Lipski: A True Story of a Victorian Murder in the East End of London and The Case of Valentine Shortis: A True Story of Crime and Politics in Canada.