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The Man Nobody Killed: Life, Death, and Art in Michael Stewart's New York
The first comprehensive book about Michael Stewart, the young Black artist and model who died after an altercation with the police in 1983, from Elon Green, the Edgar Award-winning author of Last Call.
At twenty-five years old, Michael Stewart was a young Black aspiring artist, deejay, and model, looking to make a name for himself in the vibrant downtown art scene of the early 1980’s New York City. On September 15, 1983, he was brutally beaten by New York City Transit Authority police for allegedly tagging a 14th Street subway station wall.
Witnesses reported officers beating him with billy clubs and choking him with a nightstick. Stewart arrived at Bellevue Hospital hog-tied with no heartbeat and died after thirteen days in a coma. This was, at that point, the most widely noticed act of police brutality in the city's history. The Man Nobody Killed recounts the cultural impact of Michael Stewart’s life and death.
The Stewart case quickly catalyzed movements across multiple communities. It became a rallying cry, taken up by artists and singers including Madonna, Keith Haring, Spike Lee, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, tabloid legends such as Jimmy Breslin and Murray Kempton, and the pioneering local news reporter, Gabe Pressman. The Stewart family and the downtown arts community of 1980s New York demanded justice for Michael, leading to multiple investigations into the circumstances of his wrongful death.
Elon Green, the Edgar Award–winning author of Last Call, presents the first comprehensive narrative account of Michael Stewart's life and killing, the subsequent court proceedings, and the artistic aftermath. In the vein of The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace and His Name is George Floyd, Green brings us the story of a promising life cut short and a vivid snapshot of the world surrounding this loss. A tragedy set in stark contrast against the hope, activism, and creativity of the 1980’s New York City art scene, The Man Nobody Killed serves as a poignant reminder of recurring horrors in American history and explores how, and for whom, the justice system fails.
At twenty-five years old, Michael Stewart was a young Black aspiring artist, deejay, and model, looking to make a name for himself in the vibrant downtown art scene of the early 1980’s New York City. On September 15, 1983, he was brutally beaten by New York City Transit Authority police for allegedly tagging a 14th Street subway station wall.
Witnesses reported officers beating him with billy clubs and choking him with a nightstick. Stewart arrived at Bellevue Hospital hog-tied with no heartbeat and died after thirteen days in a coma. This was, at that point, the most widely noticed act of police brutality in the city's history. The Man Nobody Killed recounts the cultural impact of Michael Stewart’s life and death.
The Stewart case quickly catalyzed movements across multiple communities. It became a rallying cry, taken up by artists and singers including Madonna, Keith Haring, Spike Lee, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, tabloid legends such as Jimmy Breslin and Murray Kempton, and the pioneering local news reporter, Gabe Pressman. The Stewart family and the downtown arts community of 1980s New York demanded justice for Michael, leading to multiple investigations into the circumstances of his wrongful death.
Elon Green, the Edgar Award–winning author of Last Call, presents the first comprehensive narrative account of Michael Stewart's life and killing, the subsequent court proceedings, and the artistic aftermath. In the vein of The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace and His Name is George Floyd, Green brings us the story of a promising life cut short and a vivid snapshot of the world surrounding this loss. A tragedy set in stark contrast against the hope, activism, and creativity of the 1980’s New York City art scene, The Man Nobody Killed serves as a poignant reminder of recurring horrors in American history and explores how, and for whom, the justice system fails.
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First published March 11, 2025
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About the author
Elon Green
4 books205 followersElon Green has written for The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, and The New Yorker, and appears in Unspeakable Acts, Sarah Weinman’s anthology of true crime. "Last Call: A True Story of Love, Lust, and Murder in Queer New York" was his first book and won the Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime. Green was an executive producer on the HBO series adapted from Last Call.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
May 19, 2025
I will admit I hadn’t heard of Michael Stewart, and his story is a heartbreaking one. It was hard to read, especially with the political climate, and this book was tragic in how little progress we’ve made in preventing police brutality against Black people. Michael Stewart was an artist and a model who was beaten to death by transit cops who blatantly lied and escaped consequences. (I know this is a bit spoilery for the end, but that enough was clear to me from the description. The writing was ok, although I thought it was a little repetitive at times. I loved the anecdotes of that time period. I gave it 4.5 stars rounded up because this is an important story to be told.
April 10, 2025
Michael Stewart and I were of an age -- twenty-five -- in the spring of 1983, when "nobody," in the form of several NYC police, killed him. He was a graffiti artist; I was about to graduate from law school. He was Black; I'm white. He would, like me, be going on sixty-seven now-- if, as I said, the police hadn't killed him. The thought is breathtaking. What art might he have made, if, if, if?
I danced at some of the same clubs Michael and his friends danced at, I saw Keith Haring's graffiti in every subway station I habitually used, but I wasn't part of the music-and-art scene and though I had some queer-appropriate wariness of the police my politics were merely liberal in, retrospectively, a not very well informed way. So although I was uneasy about what happened to Michael Stewart, I didn't understand the events as being enmeshed in the history of systemic racism or of police violence against Black people; my general image of the police had been formed by my experiences growing up in the NJ suburbs, where -- at least, if you were white -- the Policeman Really Was Your Friend. When my father had a heart attack, which back then was something almost guaranteed to be fatal, it was police who took him to the hospital, for example. When my pals and I were caught partying on the beach, the cops who showed up noticed that we were diligently collecting our trash, said, "Aw, you're good kids," and let us go.
I've learned a lot of US history in the years since 1983; my politics and my views of the police have changed, to put it mildly. To revisit Michael's murder through Elon Green's account is also to revisit my own well-meaning obliviousness. (As well as, startlingly, my envy of his glamorous friends and acquaintances; and, what I didn't fully feel yet in that year, the horror-movie terror of the AIDS epidemic about to burst onto them and onto my friends too.)
Elon Green's account here is meticulous, perhaps to a fault: I found it hard to keep track of all the people involved in all the legal proceedings and all the news coverage, this even though I was already familiar with many names likely to be new to anyone who didn't live in NYC at the time. (Elliot Gross, anyone? Murray Kempton? How about Eleanor Bumpurs, another victim of police readiness to inflict violence on the poor, the Black, the mentally ill?) So I can't exactly recommend "The Man Nobody Killed" as a propulsive narrative. But, that having been said, it's an immensely valuable work of historical detail and archaeology; if you feel the need to skim some of the legal detail, fine, but read the rest of the book attentively, note that Michael's killers got away with it, and then consider whether anything much has changed. Apart, of course, from the novel possibility that one might be sent to a gulag in El Salvador.
Thanks to Celadon Books and NetGalley for the ARC; this is, of course, my honest opinion.
I danced at some of the same clubs Michael and his friends danced at, I saw Keith Haring's graffiti in every subway station I habitually used, but I wasn't part of the music-and-art scene and though I had some queer-appropriate wariness of the police my politics were merely liberal in, retrospectively, a not very well informed way. So although I was uneasy about what happened to Michael Stewart, I didn't understand the events as being enmeshed in the history of systemic racism or of police violence against Black people; my general image of the police had been formed by my experiences growing up in the NJ suburbs, where -- at least, if you were white -- the Policeman Really Was Your Friend. When my father had a heart attack, which back then was something almost guaranteed to be fatal, it was police who took him to the hospital, for example. When my pals and I were caught partying on the beach, the cops who showed up noticed that we were diligently collecting our trash, said, "Aw, you're good kids," and let us go.
I've learned a lot of US history in the years since 1983; my politics and my views of the police have changed, to put it mildly. To revisit Michael's murder through Elon Green's account is also to revisit my own well-meaning obliviousness. (As well as, startlingly, my envy of his glamorous friends and acquaintances; and, what I didn't fully feel yet in that year, the horror-movie terror of the AIDS epidemic about to burst onto them and onto my friends too.)
Elon Green's account here is meticulous, perhaps to a fault: I found it hard to keep track of all the people involved in all the legal proceedings and all the news coverage, this even though I was already familiar with many names likely to be new to anyone who didn't live in NYC at the time. (Elliot Gross, anyone? Murray Kempton? How about Eleanor Bumpurs, another victim of police readiness to inflict violence on the poor, the Black, the mentally ill?) So I can't exactly recommend "The Man Nobody Killed" as a propulsive narrative. But, that having been said, it's an immensely valuable work of historical detail and archaeology; if you feel the need to skim some of the legal detail, fine, but read the rest of the book attentively, note that Michael's killers got away with it, and then consider whether anything much has changed. Apart, of course, from the novel possibility that one might be sent to a gulag in El Salvador.
Thanks to Celadon Books and NetGalley for the ARC; this is, of course, my honest opinion.
July 6, 2025
This book is a deep dive into the death of young Black artist Michael Stewart, and the repercussions it had across New York City. Stewart, who was part of the same social circle as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, died after being violently attacked by police. It’s a harrowing incident of police violence long before the Black Lives Matter movement.
This was a bit of a depressing read, because I kept thinking about how little has changed. Deaths of Black men at the hands of police continue to be a regular part of the news cycle. But it was also inspiring to read about the way Stewart’s family and community rallied for justice. It’s tragic to think about how his life was cut short far too early in his career.
I also really enjoyed getting a glimpse into 1980s New York. In some ways, it feels like an entirely different city, where young artists working service jobs could afford to live downtown, but crime rates were high and police corruption often unchecked.
I recommend this book if you are interested in the 1980s art world, as well as if you enjoy meaningful true crime journalism.
This was a bit of a depressing read, because I kept thinking about how little has changed. Deaths of Black men at the hands of police continue to be a regular part of the news cycle. But it was also inspiring to read about the way Stewart’s family and community rallied for justice. It’s tragic to think about how his life was cut short far too early in his career.
I also really enjoyed getting a glimpse into 1980s New York. In some ways, it feels like an entirely different city, where young artists working service jobs could afford to live downtown, but crime rates were high and police corruption often unchecked.
I recommend this book if you are interested in the 1980s art world, as well as if you enjoy meaningful true crime journalism.
March 18, 2025
Another astounding true crime book from Elon Green that goes beyond the crime itself and explores the circumstances of the time. Yes, Green unflinchingly presents the facts of what happened to Michael Stewart, but he also brings to life the art world Michael was a part of both before and after his murder, the realities of 1980s New York, and contextualizes it all.
I really liked Green's Last Call and the HBO documentary based on it. But there's something more urgent about The Man Nobody Killed in 2025. In a time in the U.S. when human rights are being infringed upon, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies are under attack, Jan 6th terrorists have been pardoned, and the president is saying police will have no repercussions for their actions, this book is vital reading.
I repeat, this book is vital reading. Green illustrates that history repeats itself. What happened to Michael Stewart was another version of what happened to Emmett Till 40 years earlier, and then happened again 40 years later to George Floyd. These tragedies and names should not be forgotten, but we also need to educate ourselves and be aware of implicit bias, to make a change and stop these atrocities from happening.
I was unaware of Michael Stewart until listening to this book. Granted, I wasn't yet born, but the similarities between his death and the violence and death of black people at the hands of police in my lifetime were unsettling. How had I never heard this story before? Especially as Green highlights how influential his death was to the artists, musicians, writers, and influencers of the time. Art I've seen and had no idea what precipitated it.
I'm aware that the world is dark right now, but I can't emphasize enough how good this book is and how much it should be read right now in 2025.
The audiobook production was great. Narrator Dion Graham fully engrossed me in the story. And there's a bonus conversation between the author and one of Michael's friends whom he interviewed for the book at the end that was fantastic. It made me tear up all over again.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I really liked Green's Last Call and the HBO documentary based on it. But there's something more urgent about The Man Nobody Killed in 2025. In a time in the U.S. when human rights are being infringed upon, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies are under attack, Jan 6th terrorists have been pardoned, and the president is saying police will have no repercussions for their actions, this book is vital reading.
I repeat, this book is vital reading. Green illustrates that history repeats itself. What happened to Michael Stewart was another version of what happened to Emmett Till 40 years earlier, and then happened again 40 years later to George Floyd. These tragedies and names should not be forgotten, but we also need to educate ourselves and be aware of implicit bias, to make a change and stop these atrocities from happening.
I was unaware of Michael Stewart until listening to this book. Granted, I wasn't yet born, but the similarities between his death and the violence and death of black people at the hands of police in my lifetime were unsettling. How had I never heard this story before? Especially as Green highlights how influential his death was to the artists, musicians, writers, and influencers of the time. Art I've seen and had no idea what precipitated it.
I'm aware that the world is dark right now, but I can't emphasize enough how good this book is and how much it should be read right now in 2025.
The audiobook production was great. Narrator Dion Graham fully engrossed me in the story. And there's a bonus conversation between the author and one of Michael's friends whom he interviewed for the book at the end that was fantastic. It made me tear up all over again.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 12, 2025
I knew of Michael Stewart’s story because his name is often invoked every time another Black man is killed by the police, but this book dug into the details of his case much of which was new to me. The Man Nobody Killed is perfectly paced and super engaging, I was hooked from the start. I appreciated the level of research— court documents, contemporaneous accounts, and new interviews — Green brought to the story. His detailed recounting of the murder, the trial, and the response from the art scene (Keith Haring, Madonna, Basquiat) fleshed out a story that has been mostly told in broad brush strokes. Green was very concerned with the way the art world was impacted by the murder and I wished he’d spent that same time and energy digging into the responses from the Black community in the city.
December 3, 2024
Michael Stewart was an up and coming young artist in the 1980's in New York City. Where Keith Haring and Warhol were all the rage, graffiti was criminalized, and Madonna was getting her start. Unfortunately a common occurrence happened. Michael was detained by the transit police, brutally held down, choked with a baton and made to wait for medical attention until it was too late.
Before the BLM movement, black men were still dying at the hands of police. There were many people who had heard his cries for help, his peas for them to stop for someone, anyone to help him. Unfortunately there were no cell phones back then to film the attack. No proof that could be given to show the brutality.
The men and women who murdered Michael were never convicted but Michael was more than his death and this book taps into the people whose lives he touched in his short life. Spike Lee's move Do The Right Thing used some of Michaels case in the movie. His paintings are still being shown and his name should be remembered alongside of those of Till, George Floyd and all the others who were victims of the systemic racism in the US.
Fantastic book that sheds light on a life as well as a death.
Before the BLM movement, black men were still dying at the hands of police. There were many people who had heard his cries for help, his peas for them to stop for someone, anyone to help him. Unfortunately there were no cell phones back then to film the attack. No proof that could be given to show the brutality.
The men and women who murdered Michael were never convicted but Michael was more than his death and this book taps into the people whose lives he touched in his short life. Spike Lee's move Do The Right Thing used some of Michaels case in the movie. His paintings are still being shown and his name should be remembered alongside of those of Till, George Floyd and all the others who were victims of the systemic racism in the US.
Fantastic book that sheds light on a life as well as a death.
March 11, 2025
The Man Nobody Killed: Life, Death, and Art in Michael Stewart’s New York by Elon Green is the enthralling, haunting biography of Michael Stewart. A highly affecting story that examines systematic racism, bigotry, biases, and the awful brutality at the hands of those who are supposed to protect and serve the people.
Michael Stewart was an aspiring artist, model and deejay living in the hustle and bustle of the busy streets of New York City in 1983. He was well liked, and admired by his fellow artists in the East Village art community. But unfortunately his life was tragically ended when he was mercilessly beaten by the New York City Transit Authority police, who allegedly claimed that Michael had tagged a subway station wall.
Elon Green gives a blistering account of the aftermath of Michael’s death, how it became a tipping point, a call to arms, and a demand for justice by his family, girlfriend, and the East Village art community, which lead to protests and investigations into his undeserved death. However, just as in many case involving the killing of Black men at the hands of the police (Oscar Grant, Freddie Gray, Philando Castile, Eric Garner and George Floyd) justice is always hard fought, and yet many times often denied. To be a Black man in America is to be persecuted, punished and killed unjustly.
The Man Nobody Killed is a gripping, unforgettable book that will evoke all of your emotions. This biography will challenge you to take an in-depth look at the cost and consequences of the racism, bigotry, bias, and brutality that has been inflicted upon countless Black men in this country time and time again at the hands of law enforcement, and the justice system. This book is a must read that should be on everyone’s reading lists. A huge thank you to Celadon Books and the author for the advanced copy of the book.
Michael Stewart was an aspiring artist, model and deejay living in the hustle and bustle of the busy streets of New York City in 1983. He was well liked, and admired by his fellow artists in the East Village art community. But unfortunately his life was tragically ended when he was mercilessly beaten by the New York City Transit Authority police, who allegedly claimed that Michael had tagged a subway station wall.
Elon Green gives a blistering account of the aftermath of Michael’s death, how it became a tipping point, a call to arms, and a demand for justice by his family, girlfriend, and the East Village art community, which lead to protests and investigations into his undeserved death. However, just as in many case involving the killing of Black men at the hands of the police (Oscar Grant, Freddie Gray, Philando Castile, Eric Garner and George Floyd) justice is always hard fought, and yet many times often denied. To be a Black man in America is to be persecuted, punished and killed unjustly.
The Man Nobody Killed is a gripping, unforgettable book that will evoke all of your emotions. This biography will challenge you to take an in-depth look at the cost and consequences of the racism, bigotry, bias, and brutality that has been inflicted upon countless Black men in this country time and time again at the hands of law enforcement, and the justice system. This book is a must read that should be on everyone’s reading lists. A huge thank you to Celadon Books and the author for the advanced copy of the book.
March 19, 2025
Before George Floyd, before Rodney King, there was Michael Stewart; a young, gifted, black artist who was killed by NYC transit police on one fated night in the 80's. This book is about Michael and his life before that night and then what happened after that night and the overall aftermath that ends with white men crowing, killers still working, and family and friends in shattered pieces, never to be put together again, always remembering and talking about Michael.
This was a very good, well-written, well-researched [I had no idea that THIS story was one of the inspirations for Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing, and I know I will look at that movie with new eyes, now that I know the story of Michael Stewart] , but ultimately very difficult book to read, especially right now as the "powers-that-be" [that are also morons but I digress] try and erase the history they do not like or agree with, ESPECIALLY Black history. We need to read books like this [and others like Toni Morrison and Isabel Wilkerson books, both who are mentioned in this book as well] to remind us that we ALL need to fight to keep this from happening. VOTE! Never forget. Say their names! Preach their histories and stories. Always.
Dion Graham is one of my favorite narrators and he does an excellent job here in reading this difficult story. I loved listening to him tell this story and I highly recommend listening to him read this very important book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Elon Green, Dion Graham - Narrator, Celedon Books, and Macmillan Audio for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very good, well-written, well-researched [I had no idea that THIS story was one of the inspirations for Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing, and I know I will look at that movie with new eyes, now that I know the story of Michael Stewart] , but ultimately very difficult book to read, especially right now as the "powers-that-be" [that are also morons but I digress] try and erase the history they do not like or agree with, ESPECIALLY Black history. We need to read books like this [and others like Toni Morrison and Isabel Wilkerson books, both who are mentioned in this book as well] to remind us that we ALL need to fight to keep this from happening. VOTE! Never forget. Say their names! Preach their histories and stories. Always.
Dion Graham is one of my favorite narrators and he does an excellent job here in reading this difficult story. I loved listening to him tell this story and I highly recommend listening to him read this very important book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Elon Green, Dion Graham - Narrator, Celedon Books, and Macmillan Audio for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.
January 3, 2025
This is an engrossing story about police brutality, systemic racism, and bias in our justice system. I was not familiar with the story of Michael Stewart (or Eleanor Bumpers, or several others mentioned in the book), but we’re all familiar with George Floyd and the knowledge that these incidents continue to happen.
The story is presented mostly chronologically in detail. Sometimes there are a number of names thrown at the reader (doctors, lawyers, witnesses), and it can get slightly confusing, but overall, it’s an easy story to follow. For those not familiar with the court system in New York State, it might have been helpful to mention that what New York calls their supreme court is actually their trial level court, not their highest court.
Thank you to Celadon Books for a physical ARC for review.
The story is presented mostly chronologically in detail. Sometimes there are a number of names thrown at the reader (doctors, lawyers, witnesses), and it can get slightly confusing, but overall, it’s an easy story to follow. For those not familiar with the court system in New York State, it might have been helpful to mention that what New York calls their supreme court is actually their trial level court, not their highest court.
Thank you to Celadon Books for a physical ARC for review.
January 12, 2025
An interesting account of Michael's story, though a bit disjointed and repetitive in the telling. Occasionally the terrific anecdotes of NYC and the art world at the time reduced Michael's story to feel like a bit of a footnote. Overall an important but disheartening story, both for it's lack of a satisfactory conclusion and for how little police brutality against Blacks has evolved.
Thank you to Celadon Books for an ARC of the book.
Thank you to Celadon Books for an ARC of the book.
May 10, 2025
What a fantastic, horrible, engrossing book.
A true crime investigation of the murder of a graffiti artist by police in 1980s NYC/East Village.
I had never heard of this man, but the famous people in the periphery of his case are all over the place—people you expect like Basquiat, Warhol, Haring, and Madonna, but also people like Rob Zombie who apparently witnessed the crime out his dorm window as an undergraduate, and Spike Lee who mentioned him in the dedication of Do the Right Thing, & Toni Morrison who incorporated him into the only play she ever wrote.
Worth listening to the audiobook For the bonus content at the end, a conversation between the author and one of his sources, a friend of the victim.
And it all feels tragically, contemporary, like it could’ve happened last week instead of 40 years ago.
I generally don’t have the stomach for true crime but I’m glad I read this book and recommend it to everyone who grew up in the 1980s.
A true crime investigation of the murder of a graffiti artist by police in 1980s NYC/East Village.
I had never heard of this man, but the famous people in the periphery of his case are all over the place—people you expect like Basquiat, Warhol, Haring, and Madonna, but also people like Rob Zombie who apparently witnessed the crime out his dorm window as an undergraduate, and Spike Lee who mentioned him in the dedication of Do the Right Thing, & Toni Morrison who incorporated him into the only play she ever wrote.
Worth listening to the audiobook For the bonus content at the end, a conversation between the author and one of his sources, a friend of the victim.
And it all feels tragically, contemporary, like it could’ve happened last week instead of 40 years ago.
I generally don’t have the stomach for true crime but I’m glad I read this book and recommend it to everyone who grew up in the 1980s.
February 25, 2025
**Audiobook Review: *The Man Nobody Killed* by Elon Green**
*The Man Nobody Killed* is a chilling and deeply investigative work that sheds light on a case long buried by history. Elon Green masterfully unravels the complexities of crime, justice, and the narratives that shape public perception. This is not just a true crime story—it’s a necessary examination of the flaws within the legal system and the societal biases that allow certain cases to fade into obscurity.
The audiobook format amplifies the impact of Green’s meticulous research. The narrator’s steady, measured delivery ensures that every detail is given the weight it deserves, making it impossible to turn away from the unsettling truths being uncovered. The pacing is deliberate, allowing listeners to absorb the full gravity of the events, while the storytelling remains gripping throughout.
This book is an urgent reminder that justice is often unevenly served, and that the stories of victims, regardless of their backgrounds, deserve to be told. *The Man Nobody Killed* is not an easy listen, but it is an important one—one that forces us to confront uncomfortable realities and question the narratives we accept as truth.
**Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity 💕**
*The Man Nobody Killed* is a chilling and deeply investigative work that sheds light on a case long buried by history. Elon Green masterfully unravels the complexities of crime, justice, and the narratives that shape public perception. This is not just a true crime story—it’s a necessary examination of the flaws within the legal system and the societal biases that allow certain cases to fade into obscurity.
The audiobook format amplifies the impact of Green’s meticulous research. The narrator’s steady, measured delivery ensures that every detail is given the weight it deserves, making it impossible to turn away from the unsettling truths being uncovered. The pacing is deliberate, allowing listeners to absorb the full gravity of the events, while the storytelling remains gripping throughout.
This book is an urgent reminder that justice is often unevenly served, and that the stories of victims, regardless of their backgrounds, deserve to be told. *The Man Nobody Killed* is not an easy listen, but it is an important one—one that forces us to confront uncomfortable realities and question the narratives we accept as truth.
**Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity 💕**
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October 2, 2024In The Man Nobody Killed, Elon Green delivers a harrowing exploration of systemic racism through the story of Michael Stewart, a young Black artist whose life was tragically cut short by police violence in 1983. Green meticulously pieces together Stewart’s life, the violent circumstances of his death, and the cultural ripple effects that followed. Stewart’s beating at the hands of New York Transit Authority police—allegedly for tagging a subway wall—sparked widespread outrage, galvanizing the art world and civil rights activists alike.
Green does more than recount a grim chapter in New York City history. He forces readers to confront uncomfortable questions about accountability, power, and the cyclical nature of injustice. Despite the ensuing investigations and protests from high-profile figures, no officers were convicted, exemplifying the persistent failure of the justice system to serve marginalized communities. Green’s narrative transcends the specific tragedy of Stewart’s death, instead framing it as a recurring nightmare in American history, inextricably linked to other cases of police brutality.
This book urges us to reflect on the cost of human lives when systemic forces remain unchallenged. By weaving Stewart’s story with the vibrant yet turbulent downtown New York art scene, Green presents a portrait of hope clashing with horror, leaving readers with a lingering sense of outrage and sorrow. This was a difficult read, and I feel it would be misplaced to attach a star rating to such a poignant and heart-wrenching narrative.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the opportunity to read and review The Man Nobody Killed prior to publication.
Green does more than recount a grim chapter in New York City history. He forces readers to confront uncomfortable questions about accountability, power, and the cyclical nature of injustice. Despite the ensuing investigations and protests from high-profile figures, no officers were convicted, exemplifying the persistent failure of the justice system to serve marginalized communities. Green’s narrative transcends the specific tragedy of Stewart’s death, instead framing it as a recurring nightmare in American history, inextricably linked to other cases of police brutality.
This book urges us to reflect on the cost of human lives when systemic forces remain unchallenged. By weaving Stewart’s story with the vibrant yet turbulent downtown New York art scene, Green presents a portrait of hope clashing with horror, leaving readers with a lingering sense of outrage and sorrow. This was a difficult read, and I feel it would be misplaced to attach a star rating to such a poignant and heart-wrenching narrative.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the opportunity to read and review The Man Nobody Killed prior to publication.
November 26, 2024
It’s harrowing to read this book on the NYC subway in 2024, over 20 years since Michael Stewart was brutally beaten to death by the transit police, knowing that nearly nothing has changed. Green breaks down not only the events surrounding Stewart’s death but also goes into the cyclical nature of injustice and systemic racism that exist in this city and country still to this day.
March 14, 2025
Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy of this powerful book. I am grateful to be able to share my honest feedback.
📖 Book Review 📖 I was a sociology major in college and spent a lot of time diving deep into the criminology aspect of the field. I remember studying the case of the so-called NYC Subway vigilante of the 80’s, my eyes opened to a new world. It was a terrifying thrilling prequel to my days as a social worker. But even then I did not learn of the death of a young man who was brutally assaulted by the police, accused of tagging a Subway station with no evidence presented to justify this senseless death. Elon Green’s The Man Nobody Killed: Life, Death, and Art in Michael Stewart’s New York brought me back to those days in the best way possible, inspiring me to open my eyes to a world beyond my own. This is one powerful book and definitely not a light subject, but vitally important to share.
In 2025, systemic racism still runs deep and our country still has a lot to learn about what it means to be Black in America. Yes, I acknowledge that I say that as a white person and I still have a lot to learn. Green’s writing is beautiful and flows seamlessly and while the content is tough, the book reads flawlessly, inviting the reader back in time to the grit of New York in the 1980’s. Stewart’s death garnered the attention of the coterie of artists he was in the mix of, creating waves in the already turbulent NYC community plagued by the crack and still very new AIDS epidemic targeted by police brutality. The juxtaposition of the rising fame of artists like Madonna, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Spike Lee with the untimely and savage murder of one of their own resonates with a raw note that allows this book to truly shine.
There is no sugarcoating the fact that current events right now are heavy to stomach but that makes this book even more poignant to highlight social justice issues that deserve the spotlight. The Man Nobody Killed is a must-read book for anyone and everyone; we can’t change the past but Michael Stewart’s story deserves to be told in hopes of a better future for America.
📖 Book Review 📖 I was a sociology major in college and spent a lot of time diving deep into the criminology aspect of the field. I remember studying the case of the so-called NYC Subway vigilante of the 80’s, my eyes opened to a new world. It was a terrifying thrilling prequel to my days as a social worker. But even then I did not learn of the death of a young man who was brutally assaulted by the police, accused of tagging a Subway station with no evidence presented to justify this senseless death. Elon Green’s The Man Nobody Killed: Life, Death, and Art in Michael Stewart’s New York brought me back to those days in the best way possible, inspiring me to open my eyes to a world beyond my own. This is one powerful book and definitely not a light subject, but vitally important to share.
In 2025, systemic racism still runs deep and our country still has a lot to learn about what it means to be Black in America. Yes, I acknowledge that I say that as a white person and I still have a lot to learn. Green’s writing is beautiful and flows seamlessly and while the content is tough, the book reads flawlessly, inviting the reader back in time to the grit of New York in the 1980’s. Stewart’s death garnered the attention of the coterie of artists he was in the mix of, creating waves in the already turbulent NYC community plagued by the crack and still very new AIDS epidemic targeted by police brutality. The juxtaposition of the rising fame of artists like Madonna, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Spike Lee with the untimely and savage murder of one of their own resonates with a raw note that allows this book to truly shine.
There is no sugarcoating the fact that current events right now are heavy to stomach but that makes this book even more poignant to highlight social justice issues that deserve the spotlight. The Man Nobody Killed is a must-read book for anyone and everyone; we can’t change the past but Michael Stewart’s story deserves to be told in hopes of a better future for America.
March 30, 2025
I lived during the times this book was written. I'm proud to be a bit of the storyline. I felt Michael's death the way you feel when a loved one is injured, those nerves under your skin. The book is so well researched and filled with facts but Elon Green's gorgeous writing has it read as quickly as a captivating novel. The fact that no one was ever found responsible for Michael Stewart's death does not keep those responsble from knowing what they did for the rest of their lives and responsble for their actions to reflect on their entire profession. The racism and consequent disdain for human life remains part of all our lives today which makes The Man Nobody Killed a timeless read both reminder and warning.
Patricia Rowbottom
Patricia Rowbottom
August 18, 2025
This was a difficult book to read because though it took place 40 years ago, not a lot has changed. There are bad people is all professions, just like there are good people in all professions. It is painful to read about people not being treated as humans and since then it has happened over and over. I enjoyed the art culture part of the book and found that interesting. This book was dark, deep and provoked lot of thoughts and feelings. I had heard of Michael Stewart before, but I am glad that I know more now. I have read another book but this author and both of them were well researched. He doesn't shy away from tough subjects.
March 18, 2025
Wow this was a shocking read RIP Michael and long live black lives
June 16, 2025
Absolutely gripping from start to finish! The Man Nobody Killed is one of those true crime stories that sticks with you long after you’re done reading. Green has a real gift for pulling you into the world of the story while still giving the facts the weight they deserve.
I have never heard of Michael Stewart and the tragic ending of his life. From the synopsis alone, I knew that his story would have me emotionally overwhelmed. There has been little progress made in halting police brutality against Black people, and that alone is disheartening and infuriating..
The book dives into the unbelievable true story of a man who somehow managed to be connected to multiple deaths but never seemed to face any consequences. Through a mix of smart investigation and powerful storytelling, Green uncovers layers of deception, overlooked evidence, and the eerie question of how someone can seem invisible in plain sight. It's not just about the crimes; it's about the system that let them happen.
What really stood out to me is how well the book balances detail and emotion. It never feels dry or overly dramatic. It feels authentic. Green writes in a way that’s easy to follow but still totally engaging. The people involved, especially the victims and those who tried to seek justice, are written with so much care and humanity.
If you're into true crime that goes beyond just shock value and actually makes you think, this one’s a winner. This book is a chilling, eye-opening read. The narrator, Dion Graham, delivered the story well and kept me invested.
Continue to sleep in peace Michael Stewart.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
I have never heard of Michael Stewart and the tragic ending of his life. From the synopsis alone, I knew that his story would have me emotionally overwhelmed. There has been little progress made in halting police brutality against Black people, and that alone is disheartening and infuriating..
The book dives into the unbelievable true story of a man who somehow managed to be connected to multiple deaths but never seemed to face any consequences. Through a mix of smart investigation and powerful storytelling, Green uncovers layers of deception, overlooked evidence, and the eerie question of how someone can seem invisible in plain sight. It's not just about the crimes; it's about the system that let them happen.
What really stood out to me is how well the book balances detail and emotion. It never feels dry or overly dramatic. It feels authentic. Green writes in a way that’s easy to follow but still totally engaging. The people involved, especially the victims and those who tried to seek justice, are written with so much care and humanity.
If you're into true crime that goes beyond just shock value and actually makes you think, this one’s a winner. This book is a chilling, eye-opening read. The narrator, Dion Graham, delivered the story well and kept me invested.
Continue to sleep in peace Michael Stewart.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
July 31, 2025
I am thankful for the opportunity to read this book about Michael Stewart as I had never heard of him. He was a young black artist and model killed in 1983. This was just before my time and it covers a scene I am not in, as I live on the west coast and am not affiliated with art or models. With that being said, much of the topics discussed in the book were new to me. The book was very informative, which is surprising considering everything took place over 40 years ago.
Personally, I feel there was too much information about things going on in the time that took away from the main story about Michael Stewart. I am easily distracted, so the information about other prominent stories took away the main focus for me.
Personally, I feel there was too much information about things going on in the time that took away from the main story about Michael Stewart. I am easily distracted, so the information about other prominent stories took away the main focus for me.
March 12, 2025
The Man Nobody Killed: Life, Death, and Art in Micheal Stewart’s New York
Elon Green
Micheal Stewart was a promising young artist with nothing but potential. Sadly, due to unchecked police brutality that potential died with him. All his aspirations gone. Stewart was heavily involved in the art scene in the 80s. He was associated with the up and coming artist of that time.
Elon Green uses the framework of the political climate to explain why no one was legally responsible for Stewart’s death. The novel is dense with historical research that references and reflects on the art scene.
Truthfully, this account of Stewart’s life and death is beyond devastating. He literally just wanted to be an artist. His blackness was all the police needed to mistreat and kill him. Most of the political figures and government officials completely ignored what was blatantly true. Sadly, in some ways the social climate is still the same to this day.
As far as how this book is structured, as I stated before the book is dense in research. I personally don’t really care for the specifics of every character beyond the book’s name sake. But, I understand how it adds depth to the story being told for others. At times, I found myself wondering how the chapter would relate back to Stewart. Although, I had reservations about that Green, did achieve the goal of making the connection. Life is intertwined and complicated. When the system and those apart of the system don’t choose to do what’s in the best interest of the people, we all suffer.
Thank you @celadonbooks for the ARC.
#readandtellwithshantel #ManNobodyKilled
#CeladonReads #MichaelStewart #ElonGreen
Elon Green
Micheal Stewart was a promising young artist with nothing but potential. Sadly, due to unchecked police brutality that potential died with him. All his aspirations gone. Stewart was heavily involved in the art scene in the 80s. He was associated with the up and coming artist of that time.
Elon Green uses the framework of the political climate to explain why no one was legally responsible for Stewart’s death. The novel is dense with historical research that references and reflects on the art scene.
Truthfully, this account of Stewart’s life and death is beyond devastating. He literally just wanted to be an artist. His blackness was all the police needed to mistreat and kill him. Most of the political figures and government officials completely ignored what was blatantly true. Sadly, in some ways the social climate is still the same to this day.
As far as how this book is structured, as I stated before the book is dense in research. I personally don’t really care for the specifics of every character beyond the book’s name sake. But, I understand how it adds depth to the story being told for others. At times, I found myself wondering how the chapter would relate back to Stewart. Although, I had reservations about that Green, did achieve the goal of making the connection. Life is intertwined and complicated. When the system and those apart of the system don’t choose to do what’s in the best interest of the people, we all suffer.
Thank you @celadonbooks for the ARC.
#readandtellwithshantel #ManNobodyKilled
#CeladonReads #MichaelStewart #ElonGreen
June 10, 2025
this is more like a 3 1/2. green has a good narrative voice. BUT, I didn't know who Michael was by the end of the book. perhaps green could have spent more time on Michael as a person? even the discussion of the hospital and grand juries, etc. felt as if they were someone else's stories. and, I guess so. I looked back at the title while reading and realized that this book is not so much Michael's story. it is quite clear in the title what it is about. so there is that. I must say I definitely dont understand a whole chapter devoted to Madonna (no shade on madonna). but, that was before I realized that the book is actually not completely about Michael. at any rate, I finished it.
March 20, 2025
Real Rating: 4.5* of five
The Publisher Says: The first comprehensive book about Michael Stewart, the young Black artist and model who died after an altercation with the police in 1983, from Elon Green, the Edgar Award-winning author of Last Call.
At twenty-five years old, Michael Stewart was a young Black aspiring artist, deejay, and model, looking to make a name for himself in the vibrant downtown art scene of the early 1980’s New York City. On September 15, 1983, he was brutally beaten by New York City Transit Authority police for allegedly tagging a 14th Street subway station wall.
Witnesses reported officers beating him with billy clubs and choking him with a nightstick. Stewart arrived at Bellevue Hospital hog-tied with no heartbeat and died after thirteen days in a coma. This was, at that point, the most widely noticed act of police brutality in the city's history. The Man Nobody Killed recounts the cultural impact of Michael Stewart’s life and death.
The Stewart case quickly catalyzed movements across multiple communities. It became a rallying cry, taken up by artists and singers including Madonna, Keith Haring, Spike Lee, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, tabloid legends such as Jimmy Breslin and Murray Kempton, and the pioneering local news reporter, Gabe Pressman. The Stewart family and the downtown arts community of 1980s New York demanded justice for Michael, leading to multiple investigations into the circumstances of his wrongful death.
Elon Green, the Edgar Award–winning author of Last Call , presents the first comprehensive narrative account of Michael Stewart's life and killing, the subsequent court proceedings, and the artistic aftermath. In the vein of The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace and His Name is George Floyd, Green brings us the story of a promising life cut short and a vivid snapshot of the world surrounding this loss. A tragedy set in stark contrast against the hope, activism, and creativity of the 1980’s New York City art scene, The Man Nobody Killed serves as a poignant reminder of recurring horrors in American history and explores how, and for whom, the justice system fails.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: Elon Green's followup to Last Call, again centering the life and murder of someone very much not like his cishet Jewish self, gets the tones of his subject's life and murder spot-on.
It's a gift not all have. I think his evident curiosity about people, the whys that drive them to the wheres that force us to hear about them, shines through in this exploration of all parties to this crime. Stewart, a young man of borning fame for a talent still developing, does not have much of a documentary footprint outside his still-early recognition from the downtown Manhattan art scene. He is of necesity flattened in affect thereby; he had little time and no special reason to leave behind a trove of thinking, essays, manifestoes; he is known only because his death interrupted his rise to Basquiat-levels of celebrity. It doesn't change the outrage vented by the white establishment liberals on the MTA-cop murderers, it doesn't alter by a jot the klieg-lights-and-klaxons that the murder of young Black men by white men set off, only to subside as the relentless slopping of the media trough with more acceptable outrages that refocus attention away from systemic racism accomplishes its task.
Michael Stewart died in vain. His death did not stop cops from killing other young Black men on the regular, nor dissuade the occasional white amateur from trying it...getting tried...getting off.
Elon Green doesn't shy away from the ugliness inherent in this story. He uses the limited materials about the victim to flesh him out as much as possible. It's just that the system itself, the perps it's enabled, the horrors of living in a world that views your existence as a provocation deserving of death, has a much larger footprint. It's thus that the system and its publicity becomes the focus of the book (hence my docked half-star). That might leave the reader wondering why Stewart got such prominent billing on the cover. Because we are accustomed to centering the white person(s) over the victims of color, we're accustomed to the perps (eg Derek Chauvin) getting media attention. It was his fate to be the killer cop who ignited, finally, #BlackLivesMatter and #SayHisName...could as easily have happened with one of Ahmaud Arbery's murderers, or Michael Stewart's. Follow those links, white people. Look at the titles of each article. Think about what you are seeing. Really THINK.
I assume you're sentient and I don't need to spell it out for you.
It's an infuriating read. I wanted the results not to be the results. It is history so of course I was disappointed. But, and all y'all who "just can't, too hard," with these books on difficult topics, think about how supremely spoiled and privileged a stance that is. Michael Stewart and his mother couldn't just ignore it. They had to live it, she lived it until she died.
Does it still feel too hard? Or can you use that rage, outrage, sympathy for a mother who outlived her child, to power some practical resistance? The US is sliding into a new era of sanctioned violence against those They hate. Does that not seem important enough to do actual work to oppose?
The Publisher Says: The first comprehensive book about Michael Stewart, the young Black artist and model who died after an altercation with the police in 1983, from Elon Green, the Edgar Award-winning author of Last Call.
At twenty-five years old, Michael Stewart was a young Black aspiring artist, deejay, and model, looking to make a name for himself in the vibrant downtown art scene of the early 1980’s New York City. On September 15, 1983, he was brutally beaten by New York City Transit Authority police for allegedly tagging a 14th Street subway station wall.
Witnesses reported officers beating him with billy clubs and choking him with a nightstick. Stewart arrived at Bellevue Hospital hog-tied with no heartbeat and died after thirteen days in a coma. This was, at that point, the most widely noticed act of police brutality in the city's history. The Man Nobody Killed recounts the cultural impact of Michael Stewart’s life and death.
The Stewart case quickly catalyzed movements across multiple communities. It became a rallying cry, taken up by artists and singers including Madonna, Keith Haring, Spike Lee, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, tabloid legends such as Jimmy Breslin and Murray Kempton, and the pioneering local news reporter, Gabe Pressman. The Stewart family and the downtown arts community of 1980s New York demanded justice for Michael, leading to multiple investigations into the circumstances of his wrongful death.
Elon Green, the Edgar Award–winning author of Last Call , presents the first comprehensive narrative account of Michael Stewart's life and killing, the subsequent court proceedings, and the artistic aftermath. In the vein of The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace and His Name is George Floyd, Green brings us the story of a promising life cut short and a vivid snapshot of the world surrounding this loss. A tragedy set in stark contrast against the hope, activism, and creativity of the 1980’s New York City art scene, The Man Nobody Killed serves as a poignant reminder of recurring horrors in American history and explores how, and for whom, the justice system fails.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: Elon Green's followup to Last Call, again centering the life and murder of someone very much not like his cishet Jewish self, gets the tones of his subject's life and murder spot-on.
It's a gift not all have. I think his evident curiosity about people, the whys that drive them to the wheres that force us to hear about them, shines through in this exploration of all parties to this crime. Stewart, a young man of borning fame for a talent still developing, does not have much of a documentary footprint outside his still-early recognition from the downtown Manhattan art scene. He is of necesity flattened in affect thereby; he had little time and no special reason to leave behind a trove of thinking, essays, manifestoes; he is known only because his death interrupted his rise to Basquiat-levels of celebrity. It doesn't change the outrage vented by the white establishment liberals on the MTA-cop murderers, it doesn't alter by a jot the klieg-lights-and-klaxons that the murder of young Black men by white men set off, only to subside as the relentless slopping of the media trough with more acceptable outrages that refocus attention away from systemic racism accomplishes its task.
Michael Stewart died in vain. His death did not stop cops from killing other young Black men on the regular, nor dissuade the occasional white amateur from trying it...getting tried...getting off.
Elon Green doesn't shy away from the ugliness inherent in this story. He uses the limited materials about the victim to flesh him out as much as possible. It's just that the system itself, the perps it's enabled, the horrors of living in a world that views your existence as a provocation deserving of death, has a much larger footprint. It's thus that the system and its publicity becomes the focus of the book (hence my docked half-star). That might leave the reader wondering why Stewart got such prominent billing on the cover. Because we are accustomed to centering the white person(s) over the victims of color, we're accustomed to the perps (eg Derek Chauvin) getting media attention. It was his fate to be the killer cop who ignited, finally, #BlackLivesMatter and #SayHisName...could as easily have happened with one of Ahmaud Arbery's murderers, or Michael Stewart's. Follow those links, white people. Look at the titles of each article. Think about what you are seeing. Really THINK.
I assume you're sentient and I don't need to spell it out for you.
It's an infuriating read. I wanted the results not to be the results. It is history so of course I was disappointed. But, and all y'all who "just can't, too hard," with these books on difficult topics, think about how supremely spoiled and privileged a stance that is. Michael Stewart and his mother couldn't just ignore it. They had to live it, she lived it until she died.
Does it still feel too hard? Or can you use that rage, outrage, sympathy for a mother who outlived her child, to power some practical resistance? The US is sliding into a new era of sanctioned violence against those They hate. Does that not seem important enough to do actual work to oppose?
March 23, 2025
In 1983, Michael Stewart was just another kid who came to New York City to pursue a dream. He was an artist, a deejay and a model, enjoying the downtown club scene and working hard at his jobs.
The 25-year-old wanted to make a name for himself --- and tragically he did just that by way of a brutal beating by New York City Transit Authority police after being caught tagging a subway wall at 14th Street. (Tagging is the name given to the spraying of an artist’s graffiti “tag” on a piece of public property.) The news was a blast heard around the world and cemented the young man’s name in the annals of the ’80s, along with the Central Park Five and the Preppy Killer.
Edgar Award-winning author Elon Green gives a complete rundown on Stewart, his untimely death, and the lasting consequences of that barbaric incident in his latest book, THE MAN NOBODY KILLED.
Forty years after the murder, the case still holds many of the worst traits of the United States in the Go-Go decade, where money and violence took precedence over the hippie dream that died with the ’70s. The AIDS crisis, the racism exhibited through police activities, and the innocence of the young artists who thought that New York City would welcome them with open arms are all woven into this disturbing and well-paced story. Green has fashioned a thriller out of the incident and its outcome (and left out some of the sensitivity that I personally hoped would be an important part of the narrative). It is a wicked take on a wicked act that brings back some of the more intensive concerns about safety in this oppressive, gun-addled society.
The specifics of the story are not spared. Witnesses saw officers beat this defenseless young man with billy clubs, choke him with a nightstick, and dump him at Bellevue Hospital without a heartbeat. The book should’ve been marked with a trigger warning given US history and the continued mountain of bodies of men such as Stewart to whom civil rights movements like Black Lives Matter have been dedicated year after year. However, Green does not skimp on his personal story, so he becomes a brother, a son and a friend to everyone who reads the book.
And then there is the parade of artists and singers, including Madonna, Keith Haring, Spike Lee and Jean-Michel Basquiat, who joined journalists like Jimmy Breslin, Murray Kempton and WNBC's Gabe Pressman to raise awareness of the killing and ask constant questions about the case, especially as the police suffered no real consequences. Stewart’s family called for justice, using the platform the stars provided, and several investigations were launched into his wrongful death.
Green is a good writer who brings the backdrop of the crazy ’80s into full 4K view. He demonstrates that Stewart deserved so much more than what he received, and the stretch of justice from that night to today has not grown as much as it should have.
If only THE MAN NOBODY KILLED could be considered a fable, a final story about how the old oppressive powers of greedy authorities were taken to task and protections created for vulnerable young people. However, knowing that this brutality could have happened just the other day hopefully will help everyone work harder for police watchdogging.
Reviewed by Jana Siciliano
The 25-year-old wanted to make a name for himself --- and tragically he did just that by way of a brutal beating by New York City Transit Authority police after being caught tagging a subway wall at 14th Street. (Tagging is the name given to the spraying of an artist’s graffiti “tag” on a piece of public property.) The news was a blast heard around the world and cemented the young man’s name in the annals of the ’80s, along with the Central Park Five and the Preppy Killer.
Edgar Award-winning author Elon Green gives a complete rundown on Stewart, his untimely death, and the lasting consequences of that barbaric incident in his latest book, THE MAN NOBODY KILLED.
Forty years after the murder, the case still holds many of the worst traits of the United States in the Go-Go decade, where money and violence took precedence over the hippie dream that died with the ’70s. The AIDS crisis, the racism exhibited through police activities, and the innocence of the young artists who thought that New York City would welcome them with open arms are all woven into this disturbing and well-paced story. Green has fashioned a thriller out of the incident and its outcome (and left out some of the sensitivity that I personally hoped would be an important part of the narrative). It is a wicked take on a wicked act that brings back some of the more intensive concerns about safety in this oppressive, gun-addled society.
The specifics of the story are not spared. Witnesses saw officers beat this defenseless young man with billy clubs, choke him with a nightstick, and dump him at Bellevue Hospital without a heartbeat. The book should’ve been marked with a trigger warning given US history and the continued mountain of bodies of men such as Stewart to whom civil rights movements like Black Lives Matter have been dedicated year after year. However, Green does not skimp on his personal story, so he becomes a brother, a son and a friend to everyone who reads the book.
And then there is the parade of artists and singers, including Madonna, Keith Haring, Spike Lee and Jean-Michel Basquiat, who joined journalists like Jimmy Breslin, Murray Kempton and WNBC's Gabe Pressman to raise awareness of the killing and ask constant questions about the case, especially as the police suffered no real consequences. Stewart’s family called for justice, using the platform the stars provided, and several investigations were launched into his wrongful death.
Green is a good writer who brings the backdrop of the crazy ’80s into full 4K view. He demonstrates that Stewart deserved so much more than what he received, and the stretch of justice from that night to today has not grown as much as it should have.
If only THE MAN NOBODY KILLED could be considered a fable, a final story about how the old oppressive powers of greedy authorities were taken to task and protections created for vulnerable young people. However, knowing that this brutality could have happened just the other day hopefully will help everyone work harder for police watchdogging.
Reviewed by Jana Siciliano
May 3, 2025
The Man Nobody Killed is captivating in its detail as it weaves the painful story of Michael Stewart’s life and cultural struggles with the untimely death of Stewart alongside the forces at work in the background of his life. Michael Stewart is a man who for some reason is almost erased from historical discourse and becomes unpublished modern social issue anatomy plastered all over briefcases from court dispute offices. This is where the author notably offers us a dissection of biography, arts history, social commentary, and brings why Michael was once at the surface of social news but soon disappeared from collective memory with the focus of an artist wondering where his subject is among a blank canvas in his gallery—the humanity stripped off like skin.
A young black model artist died in the summer of New York City in 1983 during a gruesome affair with the transit police. His death pulsates in the conversations about modern day systemic injustice echoing deeply in the strained air of rivalry. The book does so much more, illuminating cardiopulmonary parameters on top of restoring blood circulation—the restoration of life by not merely walking on the facts revisiting the dismantled case of a murdered grew man wondering in big apple—restoration of Michael’s sanity, bringing life and energy for making art back to a shattered world stuck in ruination where emotions of bleakness are felt.
Stewart was placed on the brink of the 1980s New York art culture which features social unrest alongside its blending canvas filled with graffiti artists and experimental musicians. The illustration of emotionally challenged humans serves as perfect absorbing material for Stewart’s corpse stirred arrogance undressed from the coat of politically and artificially alive heart that rose naturally spike beating within. The masters of discourse Basquiat and Haring became the face of Stewart’s death who questioned and sculpted the massacre of art in ponder on race, violence exterminating humanity and presence of art working as noise in the realm of contemporary advancements.
The writing is legible, empathetic, and demonstrates care. It does not exaggerate, but draws the audiences’ attention to.
A young black model artist died in the summer of New York City in 1983 during a gruesome affair with the transit police. His death pulsates in the conversations about modern day systemic injustice echoing deeply in the strained air of rivalry. The book does so much more, illuminating cardiopulmonary parameters on top of restoring blood circulation—the restoration of life by not merely walking on the facts revisiting the dismantled case of a murdered grew man wondering in big apple—restoration of Michael’s sanity, bringing life and energy for making art back to a shattered world stuck in ruination where emotions of bleakness are felt.
Stewart was placed on the brink of the 1980s New York art culture which features social unrest alongside its blending canvas filled with graffiti artists and experimental musicians. The illustration of emotionally challenged humans serves as perfect absorbing material for Stewart’s corpse stirred arrogance undressed from the coat of politically and artificially alive heart that rose naturally spike beating within. The masters of discourse Basquiat and Haring became the face of Stewart’s death who questioned and sculpted the massacre of art in ponder on race, violence exterminating humanity and presence of art working as noise in the realm of contemporary advancements.
The writing is legible, empathetic, and demonstrates care. It does not exaggerate, but draws the audiences’ attention to.
Read
November 12, 2025I received a copy of this book in a mystery grab bag.
“The Man Nobody Killed” is a novel that explores the life and death of a man named Michael Stewart. Michael Stewart was a young black artist and model who died after he had an altercation with the police in 1983. He was brutally beaten by police officers after he allegedly tagged a subway wall. He was then greatly mistreated in his transportation to the hospital where he was in a coma for 13 days before succumbing to his injuries.
I had never heard of Michael Stewart before this book, but I think this book did an amazing job of highlighting the facts to the reader and illustrating why this case should still matter today. I was devastated to learn how brutally Michael Stewart was murdered and how the New York City police department did everything in their power to cover it up. Additionally, I am enraged to see that forty years later we still are facing the same racist truths in our society. To say situations like these are not fair would be an understatement and be entirely unjust to the victims. This should make everyone angry that we continue to allow this blatant disregard for human life to continue.
I appreciated that this novel did a deep dive analysis into the murder and trial of the death of Michael Stewart, but I really appreciated learning about his life. He was such a talented young man and he really inspired a movement in the art world. I hope he is continued to be remembered for the life he lived and not simply his unjust end.
I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking to educate themselves more about how little progress we truly have made to be a less racist society, or anyone who is interested in learning more about the New York City art scene in the early ‘80’s.
“The Man Nobody Killed” is a novel that explores the life and death of a man named Michael Stewart. Michael Stewart was a young black artist and model who died after he had an altercation with the police in 1983. He was brutally beaten by police officers after he allegedly tagged a subway wall. He was then greatly mistreated in his transportation to the hospital where he was in a coma for 13 days before succumbing to his injuries.
I had never heard of Michael Stewart before this book, but I think this book did an amazing job of highlighting the facts to the reader and illustrating why this case should still matter today. I was devastated to learn how brutally Michael Stewart was murdered and how the New York City police department did everything in their power to cover it up. Additionally, I am enraged to see that forty years later we still are facing the same racist truths in our society. To say situations like these are not fair would be an understatement and be entirely unjust to the victims. This should make everyone angry that we continue to allow this blatant disregard for human life to continue.
I appreciated that this novel did a deep dive analysis into the murder and trial of the death of Michael Stewart, but I really appreciated learning about his life. He was such a talented young man and he really inspired a movement in the art world. I hope he is continued to be remembered for the life he lived and not simply his unjust end.
I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking to educate themselves more about how little progress we truly have made to be a less racist society, or anyone who is interested in learning more about the New York City art scene in the early ‘80’s.
March 9, 2025
The Man Nobody Killed: Life, Death, and Art in Michael Stewart's New York by Elon Green tells the story of Michael Stewart, a young artist and model in NYC , who died in 1983 as a result of police brutality, that was rampant in the 1980s. It reveals the gross malpractice of the parties involved.
Due to the perseverance of several actors in the story including Stewarts’s family, friends, the press and artists who supported the investigation, inconsistencies in the behavior of those involved, medical records and accounts of the incident were revealed. The author is able to weave the political climate and arts scene of NYC at the time. While no one was convicted in this case, ultimately, this along with similar events inspired films, movies and works of art including this book and remain in the record of our history.
I had the good fortune to be able to read and listen to this book at the same time. For a non-fiction book, loaded with medical and case facts reads like a novel and is easy to understand. In addition, the narration by Dion Graham was set at a great pace and tone and I was able to seamlessly switch between both the audio and print without issue.
Thank you, Celadon Books, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. All Opinions are my own.
Rating: 5 Stars
Audio Release Print Pub Date: Mar 11 2025
Tags:
Macmillan Audio
@macmillanaudio
Celadon Books
@celadonbooks
#TheManNobodyKilledBook
#ElonGreen
#DionGraham
#TrueCrime
#NYC
#YarisBookNook
#netgalley
Due to the perseverance of several actors in the story including Stewarts’s family, friends, the press and artists who supported the investigation, inconsistencies in the behavior of those involved, medical records and accounts of the incident were revealed. The author is able to weave the political climate and arts scene of NYC at the time. While no one was convicted in this case, ultimately, this along with similar events inspired films, movies and works of art including this book and remain in the record of our history.
I had the good fortune to be able to read and listen to this book at the same time. For a non-fiction book, loaded with medical and case facts reads like a novel and is easy to understand. In addition, the narration by Dion Graham was set at a great pace and tone and I was able to seamlessly switch between both the audio and print without issue.
Thank you, Celadon Books, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. All Opinions are my own.
Rating: 5 Stars
Audio Release Print Pub Date: Mar 11 2025
Tags:
Macmillan Audio
@macmillanaudio
Celadon Books
@celadonbooks
#TheManNobodyKilledBook
#ElonGreen
#DionGraham
#TrueCrime
#NYC
#YarisBookNook
#netgalley
October 5, 2024
You can also see this review, along with others I have written, at my blog, Mr. Book's Book Reviews.
Thank you, Celadon Books, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Mr. Book just finished The Man Nobody Killed: Life, Death and Art in Michael Stewart’s New York, by Elon Green.
This book will be released on March 11, 2025.
This book is about the 1983 killing of Michael Stewart. Stewart was a black up and coming artist in New York who was killed by the police when they brutally attacked him in the process of arresting him for graffiti.
There were many witnesses to the killing and six police officers were indicted. But, thanks to the failures of an incompetent medical examiner, the prosecution wasn’t able to get any convictions. This book did a very good job exposing the failures of the system in this case.
I give this book a B+. Goodreads and NetGalley require grades on a 1-5 star system. In my personal conversion system, a B+ equates to 4 stars. (A or A+: 5 stars, B+: 4 stars, B: 3 stars, C: 2 stars, D or F: 1 star).
This review has been posted at NetGalley, Goodreads and my blog, Mr. Book’s Book Reviews
Mr. Book finished reading this on October 5, 2024.
Thank you, Celadon Books, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Mr. Book just finished The Man Nobody Killed: Life, Death and Art in Michael Stewart’s New York, by Elon Green.
This book will be released on March 11, 2025.
This book is about the 1983 killing of Michael Stewart. Stewart was a black up and coming artist in New York who was killed by the police when they brutally attacked him in the process of arresting him for graffiti.
There were many witnesses to the killing and six police officers were indicted. But, thanks to the failures of an incompetent medical examiner, the prosecution wasn’t able to get any convictions. This book did a very good job exposing the failures of the system in this case.
I give this book a B+. Goodreads and NetGalley require grades on a 1-5 star system. In my personal conversion system, a B+ equates to 4 stars. (A or A+: 5 stars, B+: 4 stars, B: 3 stars, C: 2 stars, D or F: 1 star).
This review has been posted at NetGalley, Goodreads and my blog, Mr. Book’s Book Reviews
Mr. Book finished reading this on October 5, 2024.
August 7, 2025
Part reportage on the art scene in the 1980s, part courtroom drama, Elon Green brings the gritty, too often deadly streets of NYC to life. The Man Nobody Killed is Michael Stewart, an aspiring artist who ran in the circles of Basquiat, Keith Haring, Warhol, Madonna, though near the periphery. One night, maybe a bit intoxicated, he is arrested for tagging. Students at the Parsons School of Design witness a man being savagely beaten by the police while screaming for help. When he arrives at the hospital, he is comatose, and he never awakens.
The book unravels the growing tension between the police and the citizens, particularly POC, as the economic situation grows more dire in NYC, and indeed across the country, against the backdrop of "woke" young artists who see the world clearly and are unafraid to portray it. While some of the courtroom stuff can get a little bogged down in tedium, it's both an excellent portrait of a specific time and place and also illuminates a clear path between what happened in 1984 and what happened in 2020 and continues to happen when the police are never held accountable for their crimes.
The book also allows new life to be breathed into Michael Stewart, who is more than just a symbol, but who was also a person with dreams and talent and people who loved him.
The book unravels the growing tension between the police and the citizens, particularly POC, as the economic situation grows more dire in NYC, and indeed across the country, against the backdrop of "woke" young artists who see the world clearly and are unafraid to portray it. While some of the courtroom stuff can get a little bogged down in tedium, it's both an excellent portrait of a specific time and place and also illuminates a clear path between what happened in 1984 and what happened in 2020 and continues to happen when the police are never held accountable for their crimes.
The book also allows new life to be breathed into Michael Stewart, who is more than just a symbol, but who was also a person with dreams and talent and people who loved him.
December 14, 2024
📖Thank you to Celadon Books for gifting me with an ARC physical copy of the book.
This book is a biography of Michael Stewart’s life but mostly of his death and the politics and legal battles it stirred in light of police brutality in New York in the 1980’s. Michael Stewart, a 25 year old black man, was arrested by police officers for graffiti in 1983. He ended up dying in the hospital a few days later following intense beatings from the police that more than 20 witnesses saw from the apartment complex above. The proceeding legal battles ensued for many years after 1983 and concluded with zero convictions of the 9 police officers who participated.
In a way, Michael Stewart’s case was like the George Floyd of the 1980’s. Since I was born in the 90’s, I had no idea this very public death occurred. I had never even heard of Michael Stewart’s name prior to this book. I’m very thankful for how this book put police brutality into a historical perspective for me. In some ways we’ve progressed as a society but in other ways we keep enabling the same broken systems: police not being held accountable, police brutality against black and brown people, and a corrupt justice system with immense biases against anyone non-white and poor. It was an enlightening perspective for me to take a deep dive into this specific police brutality incident in the 80’s.
Note: This is a very heavy read, please make sure you’re in a good head space before starting it. The first couple chapters that detail what witnesses saw from their windows was very emotional for me to read.
This book is a biography of Michael Stewart’s life but mostly of his death and the politics and legal battles it stirred in light of police brutality in New York in the 1980’s. Michael Stewart, a 25 year old black man, was arrested by police officers for graffiti in 1983. He ended up dying in the hospital a few days later following intense beatings from the police that more than 20 witnesses saw from the apartment complex above. The proceeding legal battles ensued for many years after 1983 and concluded with zero convictions of the 9 police officers who participated.
In a way, Michael Stewart’s case was like the George Floyd of the 1980’s. Since I was born in the 90’s, I had no idea this very public death occurred. I had never even heard of Michael Stewart’s name prior to this book. I’m very thankful for how this book put police brutality into a historical perspective for me. In some ways we’ve progressed as a society but in other ways we keep enabling the same broken systems: police not being held accountable, police brutality against black and brown people, and a corrupt justice system with immense biases against anyone non-white and poor. It was an enlightening perspective for me to take a deep dive into this specific police brutality incident in the 80’s.
Note: This is a very heavy read, please make sure you’re in a good head space before starting it. The first couple chapters that detail what witnesses saw from their windows was very emotional for me to read.
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