A sweeping narrative history of a terrifying serial killer--America's first--who stalked Austin; Texas in 1885In the late 1800s; the city of Austin; Texas was on the cusp of emerging from an isolated western outpost into a truly cosmopolitan metropolis. But beginning in December 1884; Austin was terrorized by someone equally as vicious and; in some ways; far more diabolical than London's infamous Jack the Ripper. For almost exactly one year; the Midnight Assassin crisscrossed the entire city; striking on moonlit nights; using axes; knives; and long steel rods to rip apart women from every race and class. At the time the concept of a serial killer was unthinkable; but the murders continued; the killer became more brazen; and the citizens' panic reached a fever pitch. Before it was all over; at least a dozen men would be arrested in connection with the murders; and the crimes would expose what a newspaper described as "the most extensive and profound scandal ever known in Austin." And yes; when Jack the Ripper began his attacks in 1888; London police investigators did wonder if the killer from Austin had crossed the ocean to terrorize their own city. With vivid historical detail and novelistic flair; Texas Monthly journalist Skip Hollandsworth brings this terrifying saga to life.
#149378 in Books Hnery Holt and Co. 2001-05-01 2001-05-01Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.27 x .78 x 5.45l; .58 #File Name: 0805068031241 pagesGreat product!
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Good Lord ! Another good read.By Stephen MutchI really enjoy Walter Lords books. He has an ability to drill down and get to the human side. They are always extensively researched. That said; this one was was one of the side of slightly below par of his lofty standards. I found it slightly uneven at times. Just too many names and one paragraph stories thrown in. To be expected given so many moving parts. The coverage on the Japanese side was first rate. Still worth a read and again one of the better Pearl Harbour books. His books on "Incredible Victory - Midway" and "Coast Watching WW2 - solomaon Islands" are first rate. Coastal Watching is an amazing read. What a great book. He remains till now a first rate (and prolific) story teller.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A very detailed accountBy Erl Gould PurnellWalter Lord's account of the attack on Pearl Harbor has been on my "to read" list for years. It's filled with personal recollections of those who survived that horrible attack. While there are a few humorous anecdotes; the majority of stories depict the shattering violence of the Japanese attack and the confusion that ensued.There are useful details about the Japanese planning and execution of their plan; especially noting that neither Yamamoto nor Nagumo were in favor of waking the sleeping giant.Well worth reading.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Like being thereBy FacMgrAn amazing account of December 7. Not a "fact based history book" but a collection of memories of people who were there correlated to the records of the day. I much prefer the stories of people who lived history than the story written by someone claiming to be a historian and writing from dry records. Stories of the people who were mad about having their ship sunk; the marine who had a bullet through the bill of his cap while running; the people who were mad at the army for conducting drills on a quiet Sunday morning --- all of these make the history much more personal. As a coincidence; I met one of the men from the Salt Lake City who had transported a shipmate ashore for an appendectomy only to be trapped ashore during the raid.
