Forgotten News: The Crime of the Century and Other Lost Stories

by Jack Finney

Book Overview

Trade Paperback published by Fireside Books This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671506455
• ISBN13: 9780671506452
• Release Date: January 1985
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 290 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.

Customer Reviews

So here's where he learned about the past!

This book subtitled 'The Crime of the Century and Other Lost Stories' is nonfiction derived from his research which resulted in two of my favorite (of all time) novels, TIME AND AGAIN(1970) and its sequel, FROM TIME TO TIME (1986).I'd never before seen illustrated novels and his first in 1970 was a classic. It captured my imagination because of the drawings and the concept of time travel. I mention these books in my review of the movie THE TIME MACHINE.When the long-awaited sequel was released, I wanted to shout "What took you so long?" Now that I've met another researcher into the past named Jack (a local journalist who delves in the olden days of my hometown, Knoxville) I appreciate even more his hard work and writing abilities to bring his characters to life and make a believable story.This crime is about the murder of a doctor in the 1880's similar to one of the 1900's Dr. Tarnower who was killed by his mistress. He found pictures of the trial participants from the old newspapers of that day and actual evidence pertaining to the crime.The other stories was just as interesting, especially that of Ida who was rescued from a burning building in New York by a person who later became one of his characters. Even though she insisted her rescuer was the fireman climbing behind the bearded man (of the past), there was the picture to prove differently.Jack Finney's unique illustrated novels interweaving the present with the past of the 1880's were a small portion of his numerous novels, some of which became famous movies. He also had many in French and German.

This book belongs back in print!

In all his works, Jack Finney had that unique story-telling ability to make the reader feel comfortable and entertained. Without sounding condescending, as some writers do, Finney carefully and clearly explains the situation so well, that there is no risk of not understanding him. For Pete's sake, TIME AND AGAIN was loaded with illustrations so that you could see what and where he was talking about. In FORGOTTEN NEWS, Finney employs the same device. Focusing on what was the crime of the (19th) century--the murder of a dentist, Harvey Burdell--Finney explores the lives of the victim, the probable perpetrators, the witnesses, and, most importantly, the life of NYC in 1857. In fact, even before he launches into the narrative, he provides a brief but effective introduction to the world in which Dr. Burdell lived, including the rough-and-tumble world of the Dead Rabbits and Bowery Boys.The narrative itself is easily paced, peppered with humor just at the right moments, as when the grisly events of the murder might be upsetting the reader. The circus surrounding the investigation and trial of the suspect, Emma Cunningham, is mind-boggling even by today's standards. Careful, to avoid jumping to conclusions, Finney is admirable in reining in his opinion. There are hints galore that he thinks Ms. Cunningham committed the murder along with a shady accomplice, but he also acknowledges that there is no evidence. The story of Ms. Cunningham's faked pregnancy and her attempt to acquire an infant to claim is Burdell's, just so that she could continue her pursuit of his inheritance, is so outrageous, so unbelievable that the reader might forget that this is non-fiction. The second part of the book describes the shipwreck of the ????. Just the fact that I can't remember the name of the boat is an indication that that narrative isn't quite as compelling as the murder of Burdell (at least to me). In fact, it was a little anti-climactic. Perhaps it should have come before the Burdell murder. And perhaps it's just me. In any event, track down this book. It is worth the read. And PLEASE, SOMEBODY OUT THERE, BRING THIS BOOK BACK INTO PRINT!!!Rocco Dormarunno, author of The Five Points

Looking into the world of a woman alone in 1857.

I just read Forgotten News (in one day). It was compelling because it was real. It happened. You can actually stand on Bond Street today and glimpse into 1857 New York and see the people, the way they lived, and understand their thoughts. The murder of Dr Burdell, a dentist who lived on Bond Street in NYC in 1857, was extensively covered by several news organizations of that time. Dr Burdell was a man who did not want to share his life with anyone who might need to also share his money, but he most certainly lusted after women in a shocking manner (even by today's standards). It also is clear that Jack Finney shows that he did not understand or comprehend the female of that time (or today for that matter) and what a woman had to do to secure stability for her children. Remember, women did not work at high paying jobs in those days. A man who was a widower with five children to support would have had a hard time, but most likely, would have been paid a decent wage if he were educated. Mrs Cunningham did not have any advantages and was forced to "look for a rich husband". All of the inuendo about her past was really just that. Even Jack Finney couldn't and wouldn't actually say that she had a shady past. It was hinted at, but still, the lady did what she had to in order to keep her children from starving on the streets. It was also very apparent that she was not well educated because she did not know that she could immediately request the inheritance that was hers by marriage upon the death of Dr Burdell. After the inquest, and the acknowledgment of the courts that she was actually Burdell's widow, she thought that she had to use the baby to seal the inheritance which, of course, backfired on her. The inquest held also shows how very different the courts are today. Be thankful for this as you read this book. The rest of the book was amazing. The shipwreck and ordeals of the survivors at sea rate with the Titanic. But then, all shipwrecks are horrendous. Please read it for a very enlightening look at life in the 1800s, the people, and the hardships.

You'll want to go back to 1850 to see what REALLY happened.

I have read all of Finney's novels and short stories. This work of non-fiction, having characters that really lived, is as absorbing and compelling. The detailed look at "the crime of the century" gives the reader glimpse at nineteenth century thought, feeling, attitudes, and technology. I have read it several times--each reading discovering new details.

I read this book until it fell apart.

This was great -- so much more fascinating than anything in the papers today. The Dr. Harvey Burdell story and the sinking of the Central America were both gripping stories in different ways, and I loved Mr. Finney's conversational way of tellling them...it's a real loss that he's gone. Maybe he's somewhere in the past, where he wanted to be...