Rating: 
Summary: Stark, Realistic, Superb
Review: Author Hal Higdon's superb "just the facts" approach gives us a starkly realistic look at one of the 20th century's most infamous crimes. In 1924 Chicago, millionaire collegians Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb murdered 14-year old Bobby Franks for thrills and to bolster their warped claims of superiority as inspired by philosopher Frederick Nietzsche. Readers learn all about the crime, it's planning, and how it was solved largely because of eyeglasses unknowingly left behind. Higdon also details the lengthy media trial (ala OJ Simpson) where famed attorney Clarence Darrow fought to keep his arrogant young clients from the gallows. We also get a detailed history of the crime's aftermath, including Leopold's questionable 1958 parole, and additional events extending into the 1970's. Higdon has given us a superbly readable account, one that settles certain misconceptions arising from COMPULSION, an excellent fictional account by Meyer Levin. Too bad Higdon hasn't written many other true crime books; he's got the knack.
Rating:
Summary: Stark, Realistic, Superb
Review: Author Hal Higdon's superb "just the facts" approach gives us a starkly realistic look at one of the 20th century's most infamous crimes. In 1924 Chicago, millionaire collegians Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb murdered 14-year old Bobby Franks for thrills and to bolster their warped claims of superiority as inspired by philosopher Frederick Nietzsche. Readers learn all about the crime, it's planning, and how it was solved largely because of eyeglasses unknowingly left behind. Higdon also details the lengthy media trial (ala OJ Simpson) where famed attorney Clarence Darrow fought to keep his arrogant young clients from the gallows. We also get a detailed history of the crime's aftermath, including Leopold's questionable 1958 parole, and additional events extending into the 1970's. Higdon has given us a superbly readable account, one that settles certain misconceptions arising from COMPULSION, an excellent fictional account by Meyer Levin. Too bad Higdon hasn't written many other true crime books; he's got the knack.
Rating: 
Summary: "You're son has been kidnapped..."
Review: Hal Higdon writes a concise and thorough book about Richard Loeb and Nathan Leopold, two wealthy, brilliant, and obviously bored young men who decide to commit a "perfect" crime, for no other reason than to demonstrate that they're smarter than everyone else. At random they grab a fourteen year old boy named Bobby Franks, murder him in cold blood, and then contact his father to try to collect a ransom. But Franks' body is discovered before the drop is made and Leopold dropped his eyeglasses at the crime scene. The rare eyeglass frames are traced to him and he and Loeb are arrested a week later. Famed attorney Clarence Darrow saved the two from the gallows, and they're given life plus 99 years. A fascinating read, and it's interesting to see how these priviledged and bright young men exhibit such anti-social behavior. Those interested might want to read Nathan Leopold's autobiography, "Life Plus 99 Years".
Rating:
Summary: "You're son has been kidnapped..."
Review: Hal Higdon writes a concise and thorough book about Richard Loeb and Nathan Leopold, two wealthy, brilliant, and obviously bored young men who decide to commit a "perfect" crime, for no other reason than to demonstrate that they're smarter than everyone else. At random they grab a fourteen year old boy named Bobby Franks, murder him in cold blood, and then contact his father to try to collect a ransom. But Franks' body is discovered before the drop is made and Leopold dropped his eyeglasses at the crime scene. The rare eyeglass frames are traced to him and he and Loeb are arrested a week later. Famed attorney Clarence Darrow saved the two from the gallows, and they're given life plus 99 years. A fascinating read, and it's interesting to see how these priviledged and bright young men exhibit such anti-social behavior. Those interested might want to read Nathan Leopold's autobiography, "Life Plus 99 Years".
Rating:
Summary: truth is fiction
Review: If it were a novel, it would be contrived. The story of Leopold and Loeb is so fascinating that it is incredible that Hollywood has not yet cashed in. With a cast of characters that includes two rich, young, genius Jews,an innocent young victim, an over-ambitious D.A., Nietzche (in philosophy, if not body), and the great Clarence Darrow, there is no room for disinterest. I would believe that this book would be interesting to many styles of readers, including those interested in crime, in law, and in history. Well-written and concise, this book was fun to read.
Rating:
Summary: Truth is Stranger Than Fiction
Review: If it were a novel, it would be contrived. The story of Leopold and Loeb is so fascinating that it is incredible that Hollywood has not yet cashed in. With a cast of characters that includes two rich, young, genius Jews,an innocent young victim, an over-ambitious D.A., Nietzche (in philosophy, if not body), and the great Clarence Darrow, there is no room for disinterest. I would believe that this book would be interesting to many styles of readers, including those interested in crime, in law, and in history. Well-written and concise, this book was fun to read.
Rating:
Summary: True Crime is Stranger Than Fiction
Review: Meticulously documented facts of this infamous case in a well written and gripping story. While I'd been wishing for photographs of the story to accompany the prose, I was completely engaged by this author's presentation of the murder, trial and lives of the notorious Leopold & Loeb.
Rating:
Summary: Leopold and Loeb: The Crime of the Century by Hal Higdon
Review: Mr. Higdon used excellent knowledge and detail in describing the events that took place in a very disturbing murder case. No detail or rumor was left without discussion. I enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it to others. It also 'read' fast for a book having so much detail, I could hardly put it down.
Rating:
Summary: AMAZING STORY
Review: The first time I was interesting in, was when I read an article about Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb in a magazine. The story captive me. I found this book with a lot of details. I learned a lot of new things about this case. The author is a good one. I strongly recommend to buy this book if you're interesting in this story. It's AMAZING.
Rating:
Summary: Chillingly straight-forward account
Review: This straightforward account of the 1924 Leopold and Loeb murder of Bobby Franks and its lengthy aftermath makes for chillingly effective non-fiction. I liked Higdon's "just the facts" approach, which proceeds without sympathy, fluff or verbosity. The book corrects certain misconceptions that resulted from "Compulsion," Meyer Levin's superb but sympathetic novel about the crime. Higdon should apply his skills to other "media event" crimes, such as Nicole Simpson or the Lindbergh kidnapping, and write another fine book.
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