Crimes of the Centuries - by Amber Hunt (Hardcover)

About the Book

When asked why true crime is so in vogue, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author Amber Hunt always has the same answer: it's no hotter than it's always been. Crimes and trials have captured American consciousness since the Salem Witch Trials in the seventeenth century. And these cases over the centuries have fundamentally changed our society and shifted our legal system, resulting in the laws we have today and setting the stage for new rights and protections. From the first recorded murder trial led by the first legal dream team, to one of the earliest uses of DNA, these cases will fascinate.

Book Synopsis

A fascinating pop-history dive into the stories behind the incredibly impactful crimes--both infamous and little-known--that have shaped the legal system as we know it.
When asked why true crime is so in vogue, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author Amber Hunt always has the same answer: it's no hotter than it's always been. Crimes and trials have captured American consciousness since the Salem Witch Trials in the seventeenth century. And these cases over the centuries have fundamentally changed our society and shifted our legal system, resulting in the laws we have today and setting the stage for new rights and protections. From the first recorded murder trial led by the first legal dream team, to one of the earliest uses of DNA, these cases will fascinate.

Review Quotes

"[An] exemplary assessment of American crime and punishment and their evolution over five centuries. Through a wealth of examples, both high-profile and relatively unknown, Hunt illustrates the changing nature of U.S. law in this informative work." --Booklist

"A brisk and fascinating overview of American criminal history."--Publishers Weekly

"Fans of true crime will enjoy this collection of tales from the annals of American justice; they will surely come away eager to learn more about the crimes that have meaningfully shaped the judicial system.--Library Journal Starred Review

About the Author

Amber Hunt is part of the Pulitzer Prize-winning team at the Cincinnati Enquirer, where she works as an investigative reporter. Her podcast Accused--an award-winning true crime serial that paved the way for a retrial in a death penalty conviction--was named one of the best 25 podcasts by RollingStone.com, and has been featured in O magazine, the Daily Beast, and Wired, among others. She has written six books, including the New York Times bestseller The Kennedy Wives (cowritten with David Batcher), and has appeared on NBC's Dateline, A&E's Crime Stories, and other programs. Hunt is cofounder of Grab Bag Collab, a podcast cooperative. She is also the host of the podcast this book is based upon, Crimes of the Centuries, produced and distributed by Obsessed Network, LLC.