No Cause For Indictment: An Autopsy of Newark

by Ronald Porambo

"Probably the most moving and instructive book yet written on any of the bloody civil disturbances of the sixties."- The New Yorker The definitive account of the buildup, chaos, and aftermath of one of the worst urban riots in US the 1967 Newark riots. Being re-issued on the fortieth anniversary of the devastating event, No Cause For Indictment is a must-read to understand issues still facing urban poverty, political corruption, and racism. Forty years ago, Newark's oppressed black majority erupted in revolt and were ruthlessly put down by the police and National Guard units. When other reporters were too afraid, Ronald Porambo walked the streets of Newark and took four years to research and write the whole story. Its publication resulted in two attempts on his life. This edition includes an introduction from the editor of the original manuscript about the tumult surrounding the book's publication, and an afterword interviewing the author about the struggles he faced after publication. Ronald Porambo lived in Newark and was a journalist at several New York City-area newspapers, including the Elizabeth Daily Journal in New Jersey. Warren Sloat helped edit the final manuscript of No Cause For Indictment. He is the author of A Battle for the Soul of New York and 1929. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Fred Bruning was a reporter for Newsweek and Newsday. He lives in Huntington, New York.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History, Race, Politics

425 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2007

Reviews

[Stacia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sprawling book, taking on racism, the Newark riots, the Mafia, crooked & militant police, corrupt politicians, feeble justice institutions, failing medical & educational systems, a meek Fourth Estate, & more. Porambo apparently went where others wouldn't, interviewing & pounding the pavement for four years to gather his information for this book (as well as for numerous newspaper articles & series he wrote on the topics). As a piece of journalism, it is not neutral -- not at all; Porambo is angry on behalf of the citizens of Newark & it shows in his acerbic writing. Even though the 40th anniversary reissue was apparently edited more than the original version, there is still plenty of personal vitrol left & he skews strongly against all the people & institutions he takes on; he even skewers Newark's newspapers for being weak & unopinionated when he feels they should have been leading the charge. Since I was not familiar with the Newark riots prior to reading this book, nor was I familiar the local politicians & influential people, I did get a bit bogged down in the sheer numbers of individuals covered in this book. It is sometimes hard to follow along as the book jumps around between topics even though, ultimately, it's all interrelated -- so many factors feeding into the slow & ugly demise of a city & its people, so many deaths that were completely overlooked or ignored. After all of the investigating & work, the afterword covers Porambo himself years later with an odd & bitter ending. Even with its weaknesses, I think it's an important book, a raw piece of American history. Unfortunately, it also shows how little progress we've made in almost 50 years. Despite its flaws, it is a scathing book that is worth reading.

[Kit Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn't know anything about the Newark riots of 1967. Now I know enough to make someone really mad. For a long time. And then the dude who wrote this book embarked on a life of crime. Crazyville.

[Michael Linton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will put this book on my must-read list. It really gave me a good feeling of what it's like to live in the ghetto and the conditions of the ghetto. The living conditions are horrible and the corrupt government make it seem like a depressing place to live. But the majority of the stories are about the brutality of the cops. 26 people were murdered during the riot. And there many instances where the cops beat up Blacks and got away with it because the cops have more credibility despite the evidence a lot of them were involved in organized crime activities.

Also, the author uses a lot of sarcasm and snark which may confuse people but he was very critical of people on both sides. The style was interesting and I liked it.

Side note, apparently the author became a stick up artist and spent several years in prison because of it. That was interesting to know considering the subject matter.

[Jacqueline Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important book to read, especially those who are interested in social policy & political thinkers. Though the language is written for the 70's, nevertheless Mr. Porambo's account is very much current especially today!

[Bo Belanger · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a good book with a lot of great details. Worth a read just a little slower than you’d like because the overall narrative isn’t strong.

[Ice · Rating 3 out of 5]

The definitive account of the buildup, chaos, and aftermath of one of the worst urban riots in US history: the 1967 Newark riots. Being re-issued on the fortieth anniversary of the devastating event, No Cause For Indictment is a must-read to understand issues still facing urban America: poverty, political corruption, and racism.

Forty years ago, Newark's oppressed black majority erupted in revolt and were ruthlessly put down by the police and National Guard units. When other reporters were too afraid, Ronald Porambo walked the streets of Newark and took four years to research and write the whole story. Its publication resulted in two attempts on his life.

This edition includes an introduction from the editor of the original manuscript about the tumult surrounding the book's publication, and an afterword interviewing the author about the struggles he faced after publication.

[Melville House Publishing · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Probably the most moving and instructive book yet written on any of the bloody civil disturbances of the sixties." -- The New Yorker

"Porambo is energetic, angry, and touch on everyone." -- The New York Review of Books

"Porambo speaks chillingly of crime, prison beatings, and hopelessness in this dark, riveting story." -- Jimmy Breslin

[Am-erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good intro to the newark riots in the 60s. talks A LOT about how corrupt the newark government was. also, there's an interesting section on tom hayden, strangely enough.