Synopses & Reviews
Its around 7:00 a.m. on December 4, 1969, and attorney Jeff Haas is in a police lockup in Chicago, interviewing Fred Hamptons fiancée. She is describing how the police pulled her from the room as Fred lay unconscious on their bed. She heard one officer say, Hes still alive.” She then heard two shots. A second officer said, Hes good and dead now.” She looks at Jeff and asks, What can you do?”
The Assassination of Fred Hampton is Haass personal account of how he and Peoples Law Office partner Flint Taylor pursued Hamptons assassins, ultimately prevailing over unlimited government resources and FBI conspiracy. Not only a story of justice delivered, the book puts Hampton in a new light as a dynamic community leader and an inspiration in the fight against injustice.
Review
"[A] political cliff-hanger . . . The Assassination of Fred Hampton: How the FBI and the Chicago Police murdered a Black Panther is an exposé [that] should be read in schools across the country." --Huffington Post
Review
"[A] disturbing eyewitness account in straightforward prose. . . . A still-chilling tale of law-enforcement misconduct." --Kirkus Reviews
Review
Required political reading, especially for conservatives who are genuinely concerned about the damage secret government can do.” --Chicago Daily Observer
Review
"An extraordinary retelling of a shameful chapter in our history. . . . [The book] reveals just how easily justice can be thwarted and malicious aims diguised when powerful people conspire to violate the law (commit murder) and manipulate procedural to avoid responsibility for their crimes. . . . [A] cautionary tale, as well as a story of heroism." —Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness
Review
"A riveting account of the assassination, the plot behind it, the attempted cover-up, the denouement, and the lessons that we should draw from this shocking tale of government iniquity." Noam Chomsky, author and political activist
Review
"A remarkable work." Studs Terkel
Review
"People should not forget that State's Attorney Hanrahan, the Chicago Police, and the FBI murdered my son. This book tells the story, not only of Freds death, but also of his life. At twenty-one Fred was already a great leader. Who knows what he may have become, if they hadnt killed him?" Iberia Hampton, mother of Fred Hampton
Review
A true crime story and legal thriller, this powerful account puts together all the pieces, step by step, giving us the anatomy of a despicable episode in recent American history. The writing is clear and straightforward; the overall impact devastating.” Phillip Lopate, author of Getting Personal
Review
An extremely important bookand a tale well toldfor America to read if
it wants to become what it says it has always beenthe land of the free and the
home of the brave.” Ramsey Clark, former United States Attorney General
Synopsis
Uncovering a cold-blooded execution at the hands of a conspiring police force, attorney Jeff Haas relentlessly pursued the murderers of Black Panther Fred Hampton. The entire 14-year process of bringing the killers to justice is documented, including the details of the 18-month court trial. The chronicle reveals Hampton in a new light, presenting him as a dynamic community leader whose dedication to his people and to the truth inspired the young lawyers of the People's Law Office in their lifelong commitment to fighting corruption. Exposing FBI stonewalling and unlimited government resources bent on hiding a darker plot, the author relates an inspiring narrative of upholding morality.
Synopsis
It's around 7:00 a.m. on December 4, 1969, and attorney Jeff Haas is in a police lockup in Chicago, interviewing Fred Hampton's fiancee. She is describing how the police pulled her from the room as Fred lay unconscious on their bed. She heard one officer say, "He's still alive." She then heard two shots. A second officer said, "He's good and dead now." She looks at Jeff and asks, "What can you do?"
The Assassination of Fred Hampton is Haas's personal account of how he and People's Law Office partner Flint Taylor pursued Hampton's assassins, ultimately prevailing over unlimited government resources and FBI conspiracy. Not only a story of justice delivered, the book puts Hampton in a new light as a dynamic community leader and an inspiration in the fight against injustice.
About the Author
Jeffrey Haas is an attorney and cofounder of the People's Law Office, whose clients included the Black Panthers, Students for a Democratic Society, community activists, and a large number of those opposed to the Vietnam War. He has handled cases involving prisoners' rights, Puerto Rican nationalists, protestors opposed to human rights violations in Central America, police torture, and the wrongfully accused.