June 11, 1905 january 28, 1936, usually referred to collectively as leopold and loeb, were two wealthy students at the university of chicago who in may 1924 kidnapped and murdered 14yearold bobby franks in chicago, illinois, united states. A significant work of historical scholarship that reads like a pageturning thriller, simon baatz s masterly book now stands as the definitive account of this legendary case. The jack the ripper and lizzie borden cases obsessed the news media of the day and well over a century later they still generate books, movies. Both were intellectualstoo smart, they believed, for the police to catch them. Photos of leopold and loeb pepper the 296 pages of this remarkable book, and you will. The book entitled leopold and loebthe crime of the century was written in 1975 and is considerably older than the first two which were written within the past two years. A new book about chicagos infamous 1924 murder, packed with original evidence and photos from the caseincluding some never published. Simon baatz reexamines the 1924 case, still one of the most familiar and intriguing murders in american history. The leopold and loeb files explores the dark side of the american dream. All that to say, the book is a deep look into the crime, and the lives of the criminals, inspiring an even deeper look.
That evening, on november 10, 1923, he had agreed to drive with his friend and lover, richard loeb, from chicago to the university of michigana journey of six. Richard loeb is best known for teaming with nathan leopold to murder 14yearold bobby franks in 1924, with a resulting trial that spared them both the death penalty. That case was never solved, though a recent book, the man from the train 2017, names a plausible suspect. An intimate look at one of americas most infamous crimes.
Northwestern to settle suit involving book on leopold and. A fantastic, fascinating, comprehensive look at the leopold and loeb murder. November 19, 1904 august 29, 1971 and richard albert loeb. Nathan leopold was born in 1904, later meeting richard loeb at an elite prep school in chicago. Leopold and loebs criminal minds history smithsonian. Leopold became probably the most valuable inmate ever known to the prisons of illinois and even loebs contribution as a teacher was a great advantage to.
Its a thoroughly researched and lavishly illustrated chronicle that offers new insights into a murder and court battle that transfixed and fascinated chicagoansand still does. These two, in other words, had the world on a string in 1924. It was one of chicagos most heinous crimes, the kidnaping and murder of 14yearold bobby franks in 1924 by two wealthy university of chicago students, nathan leopold jr. Photos of leopold and loeb pepper the 296 pages of this remarkable book, and you will stare at their faces as if in a trance, desperately seeking clues or insights to their unspeakable evil, even.
In 1924, nathan leopold and richard loeb, both sons of wealthy chicago families, kidnapped and murdered 14yearold bobby franks. Leopold and loeb case one of americas most infamous. In a meticulously planned murder scheme disguised as a kidnapping, nathan leopold and richard loeb chose fourteenyearold bobby franks at random as. And i tried to watch swoon but it was too arty and i gave up on it. Nina barrett discusses new leopold and loeb book at sem coop. An intimate look at one of americas most infamous crimes, now out from agate press. Richard loeb, as the second half of the infamous criminallover pair, was born on june 11, 1905, in chicago as.
Nathan leopold and richard loeb had first met several years earlier, and their friendship had blossomed into a love affair. Barrett curated a successful exhibit about the leopold and loeb murder trial in 2009, and after which she was asked to use the universitys files to write a book on the subject. New york times the story of the jazz age thrillkillers leopold and loeb. His book on the leopold and loeb case is the best well have for a long, long time. Leopold and loeb came from two of the richest families in chicago and received generous allowances from their fathers. The story of the jazz age thrillkillers leopold and loeb has never been told in so gripping a style. Obsessed with committing the perfect crime, in 1924, the duo killed loebs 14yearold cousin and. Suggested terms to look for include diary, diaries, letters, papers, documents, documentary or correspondence. Leopold later claimed, in his book long after loeb was dead, that he pleaded in vain with loeb to admit to killing franks. Chicagos leopold and loeb case one of americas most. While reading this book, i actually found and rewatched the hitchcock film rope. I find all three books to be worthwhile reads and worthy of your library especially if you enjoy true crime.