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Deadly Times: The 1910 Bombing of The Los Angeles Times and America's Forgotten Decade of Terror
Between 1907 and 1911, the United States was hit by the longest period of sustained terrorism in its history. Of more than 200 bombings that were carried out during this period, the most shocking was the dynamiting of the Los Angeles Times building on the morning of October 1, 1910, which killed at least twenty people.
Deadly Times tells the fascinating story of the bombing, the search to apprehend the bombers, the issues that polarized the nation, and the dramatic trials that ensued. The magnificent cast of characters
General Harrison Gray Otis, owner of the Los Angeles Times , whose anti-unionist crusade led to its being singled out as a bombing target.
William J. Burns, who tracked down the bombers and would eventually become the first director of the FBI.
Earl Rogers, the brilliant criminal attorney who became the model for Perry Mason.
The legendary Clarence Darrow, who defended the bombers
And the bombers themselves, the brothers J.J. and J.B. McNamara, who upon their arrest became symbols of capitalist treachery to the working class.
Deadly Times tells the fascinating story of the bombing, the search to apprehend the bombers, the issues that polarized the nation, and the dramatic trials that ensued. The magnificent cast of characters
General Harrison Gray Otis, owner of the Los Angeles Times , whose anti-unionist crusade led to its being singled out as a bombing target.
William J. Burns, who tracked down the bombers and would eventually become the first director of the FBI.
Earl Rogers, the brilliant criminal attorney who became the model for Perry Mason.
The legendary Clarence Darrow, who defended the bombers
And the bombers themselves, the brothers J.J. and J.B. McNamara, who upon their arrest became symbols of capitalist treachery to the working class.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published July 30, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 25, 2018
A Great Book, and for me, insight into Family Lore
Lew Irwin knows how to tell a story! I was fascinated by his full descriptions of all the people involved, on both sides of the story. His development of events was clear and exciting. I almost never give 5 stars, but this book could not have been better. I wanted to read this book because of a family connection to the 1910 events: My great uncle, Martin Blum, worked for the Times in 1910. Blum and his partner, Henry Beck, bought machinery cheaply from the LA Times after the 1910 bombing, and thus they were able to start their LA business, Blum and Beck Bookbinders. Later, simply Bookbinders, the business lasted for nearly a century. Now I'm wondering about the family lore (Blum died when I was about 5, in the 1950s). If Blum worked in printing or bookbinding, he would have been killed. Maybe he was injured, but there is no tale like that. I know from my father's version that as a businessman later, he would have sided with Otis - he hated unions. Understandable, if the bombing was his initiation into the unions of his time.
Lew Irwin knows how to tell a story! I was fascinated by his full descriptions of all the people involved, on both sides of the story. His development of events was clear and exciting. I almost never give 5 stars, but this book could not have been better. I wanted to read this book because of a family connection to the 1910 events: My great uncle, Martin Blum, worked for the Times in 1910. Blum and his partner, Henry Beck, bought machinery cheaply from the LA Times after the 1910 bombing, and thus they were able to start their LA business, Blum and Beck Bookbinders. Later, simply Bookbinders, the business lasted for nearly a century. Now I'm wondering about the family lore (Blum died when I was about 5, in the 1950s). If Blum worked in printing or bookbinding, he would have been killed. Maybe he was injured, but there is no tale like that. I know from my father's version that as a businessman later, he would have sided with Otis - he hated unions. Understandable, if the bombing was his initiation into the unions of his time.
September 13, 2022
This is a fabulous historical account that details events leading up to the Los Angeles Times bombing in 1910, and it's aftermath. Irwin tells this story with suspense, drama, and even a few surprises.
History lovers must read this book (although it's entertaining enough for everyone to enjoy). Of particular interest is that both Clarence Darrow and Perry Mason appear in this book - don't believe me? Read it and see!
History lovers must read this book (although it's entertaining enough for everyone to enjoy). Of particular interest is that both Clarence Darrow and Perry Mason appear in this book - don't believe me? Read it and see!
January 4, 2024
This is a great book about the deadly bombing of the 1910 Los Angeles Times building. Lew Irwin provided an entertaining tale of many of the people involved in this tragedy, from union bombings of non union construction jobs, aftermath of the times deadly bombing thru the court cases and settlements.
July 27, 2025
Historically important .... Quite entertaining
Writer Lew Irwin puts it all together ... Definitely scene after scene is calling for a made of Netflix or PBS version . The story is captivating.
Writer Lew Irwin puts it all together ... Definitely scene after scene is calling for a made of Netflix or PBS version . The story is captivating.
July 20, 2017
Great read
A very well written story about a pretty much unknown piece of history of labor versus management. Well worth reading
A very well written story about a pretty much unknown piece of history of labor versus management. Well worth reading
March 8, 2017
3.5 stars. I enjoyed Lew Irwin's writing style, and he did a nice job of explaining the magnitude of the "Deadly Times" story. As a former journalist, I'm always interested in stories connected in some way to the newspaper industry. I wasn't familiar with the McNamara brothers' story, which turned out to be a fairly interesting one. I found myself being more intrigued by the court case than I was with the plot to bomb the Times.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2024
Historical account of the Los Angeles Times bombing in 1910, the trial, and aftermath. This was so fascinating; I didn’t know anything about the union bombings going on during this time period. The corruption and shenanigans from all sides is insane.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews