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CrimeSong: True Crime Stories From Southern Murder Ballads
CrimeSong is a double medalist in the 21st Annual IPPY Book Awards, winning a Silver medal in Southeast—Best Regional Non-fiction and a Bronze medal in National for Cover Design—Nonfiction. Also, CrimeSong is a 2016 Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Awards INDIES Finalist (True Crime).
CrimeSong plunges readers into a world of violence against women, murders, familicide, suicides, brutal mob action, and many examples of a failed justice system. This compelling investigation of the gripping true crimes behind American ballads dispels myths and legends and brings to life a cast of characters—both loathsome and innocent—shadowy history, courtroom dramas, murders, mayhem and music.
Although these ballads and stories are set in specific times, cultures, and places, they present “timeless, universal themes” of love, betrayal, jealousy, and madness through true-life tales that are both terrifying and familiar—stories that could be “ripped from today’s headlines.”
In CrimeSong, law professor and authentic storyteller Richard H. Underwood recreates in engaging and folksy prose the true facts behind twenty-four Southern murder ballads. Underwood has resurrected these stories and shares them with the reader through his “old lawyer trifocals.”
He presents his case studies, documented through contemporary news accounts and court records, as a series of dramas filled with jump-off-the-page real and memorable characters.
CrimeSong plunges readers into a world of violence against women, murders, familicide, suicides, brutal mob action, and many examples of a failed justice system. This compelling investigation of the gripping true crimes behind American ballads dispels myths and legends and brings to life a cast of characters—both loathsome and innocent—shadowy history, courtroom dramas, murders, mayhem and music.
Although these ballads and stories are set in specific times, cultures, and places, they present “timeless, universal themes” of love, betrayal, jealousy, and madness through true-life tales that are both terrifying and familiar—stories that could be “ripped from today’s headlines.”
In CrimeSong, law professor and authentic storyteller Richard H. Underwood recreates in engaging and folksy prose the true facts behind twenty-four Southern murder ballads. Underwood has resurrected these stories and shares them with the reader through his “old lawyer trifocals.”
He presents his case studies, documented through contemporary news accounts and court records, as a series of dramas filled with jump-off-the-page real and memorable characters.
328 pages, Hardcover
Published August 26, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 1, 2017
Disclosure: The author was one of my professors in law school. I think I got a B, but I can't remember; possibly because, like most attorneys, I've blocked out law school.
I am continually fascinated by the ties between the murder ballads of the South and the historical Childe ballads. This book does a great job of getting behind the songs to the actual events that inspired them. For a lawyer, it's fun to read about the trials, the forensics (or, often, the lack thereof), and the witnesses. A good book, and an enjoyable one.
I am continually fascinated by the ties between the murder ballads of the South and the historical Childe ballads. This book does a great job of getting behind the songs to the actual events that inspired them. For a lawyer, it's fun to read about the trials, the forensics (or, often, the lack thereof), and the witnesses. A good book, and an enjoyable one.
December 14, 2017
I won this book in a Good Reads giveaway!
I have been into American folk music for a long, long time, and this book is right up my alley. I was totally engrossed in the 'behind the scenes' of songs that I've been singing for years (in many versions, such as 'Omie Wise'.) A lot of research is packed into this book, with a lot of detail, and I was reading it so fast my eyes crossed. One thing I really loved was the connection to other, lesser known songs. I would definitely get this book as a present for any folk music lover.
I have been into American folk music for a long, long time, and this book is right up my alley. I was totally engrossed in the 'behind the scenes' of songs that I've been singing for years (in many versions, such as 'Omie Wise'.) A lot of research is packed into this book, with a lot of detail, and I was reading it so fast my eyes crossed. One thing I really loved was the connection to other, lesser known songs. I would definitely get this book as a present for any folk music lover.
November 9, 2023
Didn't read the whole thing. Not as folksy and focused on the music as I would have wanted. Chapters read like basic true-crime entries in a magazine compendium or an encyclopedia. There's not much on the process of writing the songs or descritpions of the songs, or the history of murder ballads. Underwood is a lawyer and can only write from that perspective, and so he's really not the best voice for the material.
January 7, 2018
A very well researched and written analysis of the actually crimes that were the basis for these Ballads. The author shows us the facts of the crimes and compares the ballads. He also discusses the way many of the ballads change the facts around and how that in turn could cause the listener to misunderstand what really happened. This was a great collection of stories and very enjoyable to read. The discussions of the facts and the law provided a fascinating glimpse into justice, or lack thereof, during those times.
I received this book as part of a good reads giveaway but the opinions expressed are solely my own.
I received this book as part of a good reads giveaway but the opinions expressed are solely my own.
July 31, 2017
This was a very well researched and well written work of nonfiction. Underwood does an excellent job of bringing the old ballads to life and explaining their roots. I was unable to put this book down and read it in one night. Looking forward to more from this author.
February 9, 2020
Read this book for an upcoming book club meeting where we are hosting the author, Richard Underwood. Thoroughly enjoyed the book, happy that I took a step outside of my usually reading genres. Highly recommend!
October 22, 2021
I enjoyed this book. Chapters were often short and referenced other written works, and in that, I could have had more information directly told to me. The coolest parts were when Underwood provided trials and event details and gave photographs and newspaper clippings of the real events.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews