- Table View
- List View
Mad Madame LaLaurie: New Orleans' Most Famous Murderess Revealed (True Crime Ser.)
by Lorelei Shannon Victoria Cosner LoveThe truth behind the legend of New Orleans&’ infamous slave owner, madwoman, and murderess, portrayed in the anthology series, American Horror Story. On April 10, 1834, firefighters smashed through a padlocked attic door in the burning Royal Street mansion of Creole society couple Delphine and Louis Lalaurie. In the billowing smoke and flames they made an appalling discovery: the remains of Madame Lalaurie&’s chained, starved, and mutilated slaves. This house of horrors in the French Quarter spawned a legend that has endured for more than one-hundred-and-fifty years. But what actually happened in the Lalaurie home? Rumors about her atrocities spread as fast as the fire. But verifiable facts were scarce. Lalaurie wouldn&’t answer questions. She disappeared, leaving behind one of the French Quarter&’s ghastliest crime scenes, and what is considered to be one of America&’s most haunted houses. In Mad Madame Lalaurie, Victoria Cosner Love and Lorelei Shannon &“shed light on what is fact and what is purely fiction in a tale that&’s still told nightly on the streets of New Orleans&” (Deep South Magazine).
Lost Amusement Parks of New York City: Beyond Coney Island (Lost Ser.)
by Wesley Gottlock Barbara GottlockA historical tour of fun and frolic in the five boroughs—including photos from the good old days. Coney Island is an iconic symbol of turn-of-the-century New York—but many other amusement parks have thrilled the residents of the five boroughs. Strategically placed at the end of trolley lines, railways, public beaches, and waterways, these playgrounds for the rich and poor alike first appeared in 1767. From humble beginnings, they developed into huge sites like Fort George, Manhattan&’s massive amusement complex. Each park was influenced by the culture and eclectic tastes of its owners and patrons—from the wooden coasters at Staten Island&’s Midland Beach to beer gardens on Queens&’ North Beach and fireworks blasting from the Bronx&’s Starlight Park. As real estate became more valuable, these parks disappeared. With this historical tour, you can rediscover the thrills of the past from the lost amusement parks of New York City.
Warren G. Harding & the Marion Daily Star: How Newspapering Shaped a President
by Sheryl Smart HallHow a committed journalist transformed a small town daily newspaper—and how that editorial success inspired his policies as President of the United States. President Warren G. Harding&’s thirty-nine-year career as a newspaperman is often treated as a footnote. This book offers a unique approach to the Harding story, presenting him as he saw himself: as a newspaperman. His political successes were based on the thinking of a newspaper editor—balancing all of the facets of an issue, examining the facts and weighing the effect on the constituents. Even his approach to balancing the federal budget was built on early experience at his small, struggling newspaper, where his motto was: &“All paid in, all paid out, books even.&” The only member of the Fourth Estate to enter the White House, Harding found his voice through the pages of the Marion Daily Star. Author Sheryl Smart Hall offers an intimate view of the man, often as seen through the eyes of those who knew him best—his co-workers at the Star. Includes photos
Colonial New England Curiosities: Remarkable Occurrences, Miracles & Madness
by Robert A. Geake&“The author of seven previous history books draws a portrait of the hardships and mysteries that were a part of the early settlers&’ everyday lives&” (CoastalMags.com). The New World was full of unusual occurrences and strange trials for the early colonists of New England. Devastating plagues, violent conflicts with Native Americans, and freak weather ravaged whole communities. When settlers saw an array of colors dancing through the night sky, they thought the Northern Lights were a sign that their end was near. Violators of public drunkenness were forced to wear large, red embroidered &“D&’s&” around their necks for a year under the strict laws of the colonies. Through the letters, diaries, and journals of influential figures of the time, historian Robert A. Geake uncovers the oddities and wonders that amazed New England&’s pioneers. Includes photos!
Murder at the Roosevelt Hotel in Cedar Rapids (True Crime Ser.)
by Diane Fannon-Langton&“Fantastic . . . Sheds new light on the case . . . No stone is left unturned . . . Provides a remarkable snapshot of life in Cedar Rapids in the late 1940s&” (The Gazette). Byron C. Hattman sealed his fate when he checked into the Roosevelt Hotel on December 13, 1948. A maid found his body in a blood-spattered room two days later. An investigation linked him to the young wife of St. Louis pediatrician Robert C. Rutledge, who confessed to the brutal attack after trying to poison himself. The scandal made national headlines and seemed like an easy case for the Linn County court. That is, until new evidence changed the story completely. Reporter and author Diane Fannon-Langton uncovers the truth and compiles the complete details of the Hattman slaying for the first time. Includes photos!
Haunted Oklahoma City (Haunted America)
by Jeff Provine Tanya McCoyThe author of Campus Ghosts of Norman, Oklahoma teams up with a paranormal investigator to uncover the supernatural side of OKC. Oklahoma City boasts a rich heritage of gumption and perseverance, but there are many tales only whispered from shadows. A spectral woman may be seen in the upper window of the Overholser Mansion, looking for her long-lost love. The spirit of one of Oklahoma&’s feistiest leaders is said to dwell in the Governor&’s Mansion, where he trips guests on the stairs. Perhaps still thirsty for the drink a fatal gunshot interrupted, the ghost of a cheating mobster rattles the glasses at Gabriella&’s off Route 66. Jeff Provine and Tanya McCoy uncover the curious and creepy tales of the Sooner State capital.
Murder in Pleasanton: Tina Faelz and the Search for Justice (True Crime Ser.)
by Joshua SuchonA journalist digs into the California cold case of a teenager murdered in his hometown in this disturbing true crime account. In April 1984, fourteen-year-old Foothill High freshman Tina Faelz took a shortcut on her walk home. About an hour later, she was found in a ditch, brutally stabbed to death. The murder shook the quiet East Bay suburb of Pleasanton and left investigators baffled. With no witnesses or leads, the case went cold and remained so for nearly thirty years. Then the investigation finally got a break in 2011. Improved forensics recovered DNA from a drop of blood found at the scene matching Tina&’s classmate, Steven Carlson. Through dusty police files, personal interviews, letters and firsthand accounts, journalist Joshua Suchon revisits his childhood home to uncover the story of a shocking crime and the controversial sentencing that brought long-awaited answers to a tormented community.
Murder on Long Island: A Nineteenth-Century Tale of Tragedy & Revenge (Murder And Mayhem Ser.)
by Geoffrey K. Fleming Amy K. FolkA meticulously researched account of one of the North Fork&’s most infamous crimes: the Wickham Axe Murders of 1854. In the mid-nineteenth century, James Wickham was a wealthy farmer with a large estate in Cutchogue, Long Island. His extensive property included a mansion and eighty acres of farmland that were maintained by a staff of servants. In 1854, Wickham got into an argument with one of his workers, Nicholas Behan, after Behan harassed another employee who refused to marry him. Several days after Behan&’s dismissal, he crept back into the house in the dead of night. With an axe, he butchered Wickham and his wife, Frances, and fled to a nearby swamp. Behan was captured, tried, convicted and, on December 15, became one of the last people to be hanged in Suffolk County. Local historians Geoffrey Fleming and Amy Folk uncover this gruesome story of revenge and murder. Includes photos! &“Mr. Fleming and Ms. Folk graphically recreate the crime itself and Behan&’s attempts to escape. They describe in detail his capture, incarceration, trial, and conviction ending in his execution.&” —The East Hampton Star
The Haunted Natchez Trace (Haunted America)
by Bud SteedTake a trip from Natchez to Nashville and discover the paranormal history along the way . . . includes photos! Stretching from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee, the Natchez Trace is one of the oldest, most historically significant routes in American history. Beginning as hunting ground for natives, the Trace became the favored path back home for early settlers who floated down the Mississippi River to sell goods in Natchez. Yet the Trace was riddled with bandits, marauders, and other perils, and today troubled and tortured voices from the past still echo along the road. Travel to Grinders Stand, where famed explorer Meriwether Lewis met his untimely demise—and on to Kings Tavern, built in the late 1700s and haunted by the ghost of the innkeeper&’s mistress. This terrifying travelogue recounts these tales, and more, all lurking in the shadows of the Haunted Natchez Trace.
Alabama and the Civil War: A History & Guide (Civil War Ser.)
by Robert C. JonesAn examination of the influence of the &“Heart of Dixie&” on the War Between the States—the key players, places, and politics. Alabama&’s role in the Civil War cannot be understated. Union raids into northern Alabama, the huge manufacturing infrastructure in central Alabama and the Battle of Mobile Bay all played significant parts. A number of important Civil War figures also called Alabama home. Maj. General Joseph Wheeler was one of the most remarkable Confederate cavalry commanders in the west. John the Gallant Pelham earned the nickname for his bravery during the Battle of Fredericksburg. John Semmes commanded two of the most famous commerce raiders of the war—the CSS Sumter and the CSS Alabama. Author Robert C. Jones examines the people and places in Alabama that shaped the Civil War. Includes photos!
Murder & Mayhem in Jefferson County (Murder And Mayhem Ser.)
by Cheri L. FarnsworthThe author of Wicked Northern New York delivers the most chilling historic true crime stories from the state&’s northern tier. Jefferson County, located in New York&’s beautiful North Country, has a dark and violent past. During the long winter months, it was not the cold that was feared, but the killers. In 1828, Henry Evans committed a crime so brutal that the location in Brownsville is still called Slaughter Hill. A real-life Little Red Riding Hood, eleven-year-old Sarah Conklin met someone far worse than a wolf on her way home from school in 1875. And in 1908, Mary Farmer, a beautiful young mother hacked her neighbor to death and was sent to the electric chair. Author Cheri L. Farnsworth has compiled the stories of the most notorious criminal minds of Jefferson County&’s early history. Includes photos!
Haunted Marietta (Haunted America)
by Rhetta Akamatsu&“Highlight[s] the numerous spirits which inhabit this charming Georgia town, while also offering a glimpse into the town's non-paranormal past&” (Newswire). Few places have continued to grow, prosper, and maintain a small-town atmosphere and sense of history like Marietta, Georgia. Of course, a sense of community is not the only preserved presence from the past. Paranormal specialist and Marietta resident Rhetta Akamatsu combines her research with a passion for history to deliver a one-of-a-kind glimpse into the area's rich and, in some cases, undying spirit. Hear the whispers of Confederate generals still echoing in the Kolb Farm House; cozy up with the unsettled spirits of the 1848 House; meet the phantoms lurking throughout Town Square; and brush up on your local history if you dare summon the Ghosts of Marietta. Includes photos! &“In her book, Akamatsu isn&’t content to delve immediately into the paranormal, but is respectful enough of her adopted home to explore some of Marietta&’s stately history first.&” —The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Haunted Ocean City and Berlin (Haunted America)
by Mindie BurgoyneA vacation destination and a historic small town: two places that make Maryland great—and ghostly. More chills from the author of Haunted Eastern Shore. A ghostly sea captain, an ill-fated lover and jazz musicians who go on playing long after their last songs—these are the spirits that make their presence known from Ocean City&’s Boardwalk to the picturesque town square of Berlin. The phantom scent of a woman&’s perfume floats from Trimper&’s carousel, while the Ocean City Life-Saving Station is haunted by the ghost of a drowned sailor. In Berlin, some guests never check out of the Atlantic Hotel, and strange happenings have been reported at the Rackliffe House, where legend has it that a cruel plantation owner was murdered by his slaves. Author and guide Mindie Burgoyne takes a chilling journey through the haunted history and lore of Ocean City and Berlin. Includes photos!
Murder Most Texan (True Crime Ser.)
by Bartee HaileA chronicle of sixteen ruthless killings from Lone Star history and the dirty details that have shocked and bewildered Texans for decades. Texas has long boasted of its iron fist and strict treatment of criminals. Nevertheless, a number of homicidal scoundrels and fiends have slipped through the state&’s justice system despite even the best efforts of the legendary Texas Rangers. In 1877, Texas saw its first high-profile murder case with the slaying of a woman in Jefferson and the subsequent &“Diamond Bessie&” trial. More than a century later, state legislator Price Daniel Jr., was shot in cold blood by his wife at their home in Liberty, TX. True crime writer and historian Bartee Haile unburies these and other stories from Texas&’s murderous past. With these stories and more—from senseless roadside murders to political assassinations—discover the seedy underbelly of the Lone Star State&’s murderous past.
The New England Life of Cartoonist Bob Montana: Beyond the Archie Comic Strip
by Carol Lee AndersonThe true story of the artist whose high school years in Massachusetts inspired Riverdale. Bob Montana, creator of the Archie comic strip and one of America&’s greatest cartoonists, always considered himself a true New Englander. Filled with the antics of the rambunctious teenagers of the fictional Riverdale High, Montana&’s comic strip was based on his high school years in Haverhill, Massachusetts. At the height of his career, he lived as a beloved resident in the quaint, picturesque town of Meredith in the heart of the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. For nearly thirty years, he was considered an extraordinarily respected contributor to the community. Drawing from the Yankee humor he saw around him, Montana deftly included local scenes, events, and characters in the puns and pranks of Archie&’s comic-strip life. Join Lakes Region historian Carol Lee Anderson as she takes readers beyond the comic strip and tells the story of the remarkable New England life of Bob Montana.
The Maine Lobster Industry: A History of Culture, Conservation & Commerce
by Cathy BillingsAn inside look at the history and traditions behind this New England delicacy. Since the first recorded lobster catch in 1605, the Maine lobster fishery has grown into a multibillion-dollar force. In this book, Cathy Billings of the University of Maine Lobster Institute embarks on a journey from trap to plate, introducing readers to lobstermen, boat builders, bait dealers, marine suppliers, and the expansive industry that revolves around the fishery. Maine lobster families extend for generations back, and strides in sustainability have been a hallmark of the Maine fishery throughout the centuries—from the time lobstermen themselves introduced conservation measures in the mid-1800s. Today, Maine&’s lobster fishery is a model of a co-managed, sustainable fishery. The people who work Maine&’s lobster fishery have developed a coastal economy with an international influence and deep history, and this book takes you behind the scenes.
Haunted Buffalo: Ghosts in the Queen City (Haunted America)
by Dwayne Claud Cassidy O'ConnorLearn the spooky secrets of upstate New York in this haunting historical tour—photos included! Embark upon the haunted adventure of a lifetime using this comprehensive guide to some of Buffalo&’s spookiest sites. Avid ghost hunter and paranormal investigator Dwayne Claud and researcher Cassidy O&’Connor present stories of the city&’s most acclaimed spooks and spirits, such as Tanya, the five-year-old who can be spotted bouncing on guest beds at the Grand Island Holiday Inn. The book includes twisted tales from the Buffalo Psychiatric Center, as well as stories of roaming spirits at Frontier House—a hotel frequented by figures such as Mark Twain and President McKinley. This gripping collection of ghostly tales is sure to thrill anyone fascinated by the unknown.
Haunted Ozarks (Haunted America)
by Janice TremeearThe hills have scares in this haunted history of the Ozark Mountains from the paranormal investigator and author of Missouri&’s Haunted Route 66. Tourists flock to the Ozarks region every year to dip their paddles in the pure waters of its wilderness, or to lose themselves in the happy bustle of its theme parks. But the serene hills and hollows often hide something darker. The Civil War and the Trail of Tears left their marks on the region, as did the James-Younger Gang and the Baldknobbers. Ghosts linger in resorts and penitentiaries, while UFO&’s and buried treasure rest in uneasy graves. Those startled by seeing a hellhound run through their backyard, however, might also catch a glimpse of author Janice Tremeear and her team of researchers in hot pursuit of the mysteries of the Ozarks.
Haunted Mississippi Gulf Coast (Haunted America)
by Bud SteedGet to know the spirits that haunt this sunny Southern spot . . . includes photos! Mississippi&’s gorgeous Gulf Coast is known for its sandy beaches, sunny weather, and welcoming people. Not so welcoming, however, are the spirits that haunt the shores, lighthouses, canneries, and historic sites in towns along the coast. Join ghost hunter Bud Steed as he leads a haunted journey with stops in Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport, Waveland, and all points in between. From the apparition seen lingering in the Bay St. Louis Train Depot, still waiting for his train to come, to the forceful spirits haunting the Old Biloxi Cemetery that refuse to be ignored, this collection takes you to the haunted hot spots that add a touch of darkness and a hint of menace to Mississippi&’s sunny Gulf Coast.
The Murder of Maggie Hume: Cold Case in Battle Creek (True Crime Ser.)
by Blaine L. Pardoe Victoria HesterOne brutal murder. Two possible suspects. And a &“fascinating . . . puzzling case&” that divided a Michigan community (Lansing State Journal). In the summer of 1982, the body of twenty-year-old Maggie Hume was found under a pile of blankets in the closet of her apartment. A Catholic school girl and daughter of a local football coach, Maggie had been raped and strangled. It was the only active murder investigation in Battle Creek, Michigan, suggesting the case would be an easy victory for authorities. Plus, they already had two persons of interest on watch. Maggie&’s neighbor, Michael Ronning, confessed to the crime. Yet it was Maggie&’s boyfriend, Jay Carter, who failed the polygraph, and whose account of his whereabouts on the night of the murder kept changing. Unfortunately, the Calhoun County Prosecutor&’s Office and Battle Creek Police Department couldn&’t agree on whom to charge. And the city soon took sides. Cracking open three decades of never-before-seen evidence, this real-life whodunit exposes the dark secrets and tragic infighting that turned the murder of Maggie Hume into an unwinnable contest of wills, egos, politics, and the law—a contest that, to this day, isn&’t over.
A History of Georgia Forts: Georgia's Lonely Outposts (Landmarks Ser.)
by Alejandro M. de QuesadaA look at military fortifications over the centuries, with photos included. The state of Georgia has a long tradition of building stalwart military fortifications—going all the way back to the early sixteenth century, when it was part of a much larger region of the Southeast claimed by Spain and known as La Florida. After the failure of Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon&’s settlement in 1526 on the coast of Georgia, French Huguenots established a small fort at Port Royal Sound and another along the St. Johns River. This book explores the centuries that followed, revealing the history behind Georgia&’s many forts. Discover who emerged victorious after Savannah&’s Fort Pulaski was bombarded for over thirty hours by Federal troops during the Civil War, and why Fort Oglethorpe was constructed in 1902 within the confines of Chickamauga Park, as military historian and archivist Alejandro de Quesada explores the breadth of Georgia&’s forts from the colonial and antebellum eras to the Civil War and modern times.
Wicked Jurupa Valley: Murder & Misdeeds in Rural Southern California (Wicked Ser.)
by Kim Jarrell JohnsonFrom a murder-prone mistress to a killing farm that inspired a Clint Eastwood movie, rural Southern California has secrets that belie its bucolic setting. The Wineville Chicken Coop Murders—a horrible 1928 national news story that inspired the 2008 movie The Changeling from director Clint Eastwood—are only the most infamous despicable deeds that have bloodstained the rural countryside between Riverside City and the San Bernardino County line. Jurupa Valley has been a region of dark doings and scandalous misdeeds for generations. The city of Jurupa Valley was formed in 2011 from the area&’s smaller communities, including Wineville (renamed Mira Loma to escape the shame), Pedley and Rubidoux. Buried in its landscape are salacious sagas of unchecked bootlegging, payday orgies and gruesome murders. Author Kim Jarrell Johnson digs deep to disinter the unsavory stories that have traditionally marked her home city as a resting place of enduring infamy. Includes photos!
Ghosts of Cincinnati: The Dark Side of the Queen City (Haunted America)
by Dan Smith Teri CasperCincinnati chills are on the menu, as two ghost tour guides serve up the most terrifying tales from this Ohio River city&’s haunted history. A ghostly captain who forever guards her steamboat, an elusive lady in green who roams Carew Tower, spectral lovers who reunite in museum halls, these are among the souls who walk Cincinnati&’s forgotten paths. Take a chilling tour with Teri Casper and Dan Smith, owners of Cincinnati Tours, Inc., as they recount the infamous murder of Imogene Remus by her bootlegger husband and recall the tale of a young World War II soldier who is still searching for a way home from Union Terminal. Wander among the lonely mausoleums of Spring Grove Cemetery and listen for strange echoes in Music Hall to meet the otherworldly residents of the Queen City. Includes photos!
The Wizard of the Nile: The Hunt for Africa's Most Wanted
by Matthew GreenA foreign correspondent&’s chronicle of the Ugandan warlord and his Lord&’s Resistance Army of abducted child soldiers: &“a readable and compelling account&” (Independent, UK). Somewhere in the jungles of Uganda, there hides a fugitive rebel leader: he is said to take his orders directly from the spirit world and, together with his ragged army of brutalized child soldiers, he has left a bloody trail of devastation across his country. Joseph Kony is now an internationally wanted criminal, and yet nobody really knows who he is or what he is fighting for. To get the truth behind the rumors and myths, Matthew Green ventures into the war zone, meeting the victims, the peacemakers and the regional powerbrokers as he tracks down the man himself. The Wizard of the Nile is the first book to peel back the layers of mysticism and murky politics surrounding Kony, to shine a searching light onto this forgotten conflict, and to tell the gripping human story behind an inhumane war and a humanitarian crisis. Winner of the Jerwood AwardLong-listed for the Orwell Prize
Supernatural Lore of Pennsylvania: Ghosts, Monsters and Miracles (American Legends Ser.)
by Thomas WhiteLocal legends and paranormal mysteries of Pennsylvania—photos included. Strange creatures and tales of the supernatural thrive in Pennsylvania, from ghostly children who linger by their graves to werewolves that ambush nighttime travelers. Passed down over generations, Keystone State legends and lore provide both thrilling stories and dire warnings. Phantom trains chug down the now removed rails of the P&LE Railroad line on the Great Allegheny Passage. A wild ape boy is said to roam the Chester swamps, while the weeping Squonk wanders the hemlock-shrouded hills of central Pennsylvania, lamenting his hideousness. On dark nights, the ghosts of Betty Knox and her Union soldier beau still search for each other at Dunbar Creek. Join Thomas White and company as they go in search of the truth behind the legends of supernatural Pennsylvania.