Hillsdale: Greek Tragedy in America's Heartland

by Roger Rapoport

On October 17, 1999 Lissa Roche, the editor of Hillsdale College Press and the daughter-in-law of the conservative school's president, Dr. George Roche III, was found dead in Hillsdale's Slayton... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1571430881
• ISBN13: 9781571430885
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: RDR Books
• Length: 196 Pages
• Weight: 0.61 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.1" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Very Interesting

This book raises legitamate questions about the 'removal' of one of Americas longest tenured College Presidents in the United States. It must be understood that Roche did 'good things' during his time at the college.. but clearly this book raises significant concerns that do not clear him. His lack of public denial since this allagations also 'tar' him with guilt and concern that the 'items' in the book and interviews paint him with motive and guilt. I recommend the book strongly.

Rapoport Offers New Insights Into Michigan Death

Based upon the author's premise that "there is not one single shred of evidence that (she) actually committed suicide," Roger Rapoport's "Hillsdale: Greek Tragedy in America's Heartland" seeks to open up what certainly has to be one of the more controversial police investigations (and findings) in recent memory. Lissa Jackson Roches, dauthter-in-law of the college president and noted editor in collegiate academic circles, is found dead in the Slayton Arboretum of Hillsdale College, itself a noted--and respected--liberal arts college . When the facts are laid out by the author, of course, this book, indeed, resembles something right out of Aeschylus or Euripides--or for perhaps many of the modern audience--a soap opera. Alas, however, this death and "investigation"is not fiction and Rapoport is determined that, as in "Hamlet," "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." In this case, it's a peaceful college town in Michigan, complete with its own set of codes, secrets, innuendo, and tragedy. Rapoport's examination of the case is done with an eye to the critical, taking the official police and court findings and, looking askance at what he finds, begins his own investigation, as it were. His line of thought, his own questions, indeed, do raise more than "a reasonable doubt." He also presents the other individuals involved--her family members, acquaintances, and friends, making the "Orestia" seem somewhat tame! So many questions, so little time--and, to make further the analogy to a soap opera, so few advertisers to pay for opening up this melodrama! Rapoport, who presents himself as a disinterested party, certainly raises enough questions that, to me--or any other third party--should warrant a re-investigation, this time as a homocide. His thorough backgrounding of the scenario and its players is also impressive. Rapoport, already an established author and literary investigator, present his book in a style that is quite readable without being melodramatic. It will be interesting to see what impact it has on the Michigan authorities. Not to re-open this case should, indeed, raise even more questions into the infrastructure of this death. Good luck, Mr. Rapoport! (Billyjhobbs@tyler.net)

Hillsdale College is committed to independence.

This book provides a very nice review of Hillsdale College's dedication to further education without government intervention. It also reviews the recent tragic death of Lissa Roche. While the latter issue is interesting, I found the historical review of the college's committment to independence most uplifting. Decades before Affirmative Action was put into place, Hillsdale College denied government assistance so that minorities and women could attend its school - helping them fulfill their dreams.