Double Life: The Shattering Affair between Chief Judge Sol Wachtler and Socialite Joy Silverman

by Linda Wolfe

A “spellbinding” account of the New York judge who was brought down by prescription drugs, sexual obsession, and a shocking criminal conviction (Ann Rule). He was the top justice of New York’s highest court. She was a stunning socialite and his wife’s step-cousin. In 1993 Sol Wachtler was convicted of blackmail and extortion against Joy Silverman, his former mistress. How did a respected jurist and one of the most prominent men in America end up serving time in prison? Linda Wolfe starts at the beginning—from Wachtler’s modest Brooklyn upbringing through his courtship and marriage to Joan Wolosoff, the only child of a wealthy real estate developer.   Joy Fererh was three and a half when her father walked out. When she and Sol met, he was fifty-five and nearing the pinnacle of his legal career. She was a thirtysomething stay-at-home mother who, with Sol’s help, made a career for herself as a Republican Party fundraiser. They kept their affair a secret—until an explosive mix of sex, power, betrayal, and prescription-drug abuse set the stage for the tabloid headlines of the decade. 

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Biography, Crime, History

335 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 1994

About the author

Linda Wolfe is an award-winning journalist and novelist. Among her many books are the novel "Private Practices" and the nonfiction books "Wasted: The Preppie Murder," "The Professor and the Prostitute," and "The Murder of Dr. Chapman." A longtime contributing editor at New York magazine, Wolfe's articles and personal essays have also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Playboy, and many other publications. Her short fiction has appeared in the Southwest Review and other literary journals. Learn more at www.LindaWolfe.com.

Reviews

[MM Suarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In regard to Joy, his stance resembled the age-old one used by men who have abused women: What Idid was her fault, not mine; it would never have happened if she hadn’t gone walking there, if she hadn’t dressed the way she did, if she’d said “No!” and meant it. Sure, he’d done bad things, went his message, but it wasn’t his fault."

This is definitely a strange case, not because a powerful man, Sol Wachtler, New York Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals had an illicit affair with a socialite, Joy Silverman, it is all of the craziness that came after she broke off the relationship that makes it one for the record books. I can agree that sexual obsession and prescription drugs helped blow up Judge Wachtler's life ending in a criminal conviction and a prison sentence, but it was his arrogance, hubris and his inability to accept responsibility for his actions that finally did him in.

[Barb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m still asking myself “why did anyone care about these people.”

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow I am so confused why anyone would feel sorry for a man that STALKED and threated to KIDNAP, this woman and her child! Ok he is bi-polar, how does that make it ok to be a stalker? So if Dahmer is bipolar we should feel sorry for him? Give him a slap on the wrist. That's ridiculous! He was a Judge, HE was married, He lied to get out of a relationship with her, and when she moved on He chose to STALK her. Why is the WOMAN always blamed in an affair? He was the one married, He was the one who destroyed his marriage. Bipolar is a serious issue but it does not cloud right from wrong. Or excuse someone who commits a crime. This womans crime was she was left an inheritance? Her child and her were the victims! As well as his family. I have NO sympathy for this man who held all the power and CHOSE to cause so much harm. STALKING is a serious crime. We need to make stronger laws against stalking. Not feel sorry for the stalker!!

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I swear sometimes truth makes fiction look like a total joke. In this case this couldn’t be more true. A super well respected judge basically manipulated and tied into knots by a woman whose sole purpose in this life is the consumption of all things money. I highly recommend this book to any of my true crime junkies. No, this isn’t a murder; but it’s as salacious as they come. We are taken on a journey through two separate lives and then in the middle of the book these paths merge. So many different factors and poor decisions happened to make this scandal unfold the way it did. But I will say, it made for some excellent literature.

[Jon Koebrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Double Life is a surprisingly well written true crime story of a prolific man who came off the rails. Wachtler's true life story is a tragedy of sorts and makes for frequently compelling reading.

[Shadira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Linda Wolfe did an excellent job researching and relaying a very complex story that changed the course of New York and, possibly, national politics. The mental breakdown of New York's Chief Justice, which led to criminal charges and his incarceration is not your run of the mill "fall from grace" to me. It is more a study in how a well concealed mental illness of a highly functioning public figure led to devastating consequences for some many people. If the Chief Justice could have sought treatment without fear of being stigmatized, there is a fair chance that this unfortunate turn of events would never have occurred, and he would have continued to have a very positive impact on society and public policy.

[Susann · Rating 2 out of 5]

True Pap

This book was a long slog through tripe and I am ashamed of myself for sticking with it. For some reason I was hoping it would get better...and it didnt. Written in a sophomoric style replete with dialogue and supposed insights into what everyone was thinking, the book airs the dirty laundry of more of the well to do Society denizens' shenanigans. It is not pretty and the author's lame attempt at the end to elevate the story to mythic proportions with the concept of hubris falls unbelievably flat. Don't waste your time.

[jeannette Dooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jean38no

A good read . It’s unbelievable that a man as powerful as Chief Judge Sol Wachtler could lose control ,and do the things he did because Joy decided not to see him any more, The thing that really gets me is he really didn’t see that what he did as nothing but harmless pranks. I got the feeling he felt he was victimized by the system. That he should not have gone to prison . He never saw his victims as people on the same level as him. Which sometimes happens with narcissus. I’m glad that he was dealt justice .

[Anne Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot sing enough praise for this "vintage" nonfiction that tells the sad tale of a powerful and intelligent man brought down by his own folly. I just read it (October 2018,) although it was published in the 90s. Wolfe has the narrative eye of a hawk. She makes no compromises when accurately sharing all sides of the story. I am in awe of her writing, insights, and careful, painstaking research.

[Connie Zehring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting case.

This is a fascinating case of a reputable man who stalks and threatens his mistress when she rejects him. The question we are left with is, “was he mentally ill, affected by the prescription drugs he was taking, or such an ego-maniac that he would not tolerate rejection. The book is very well written and held my interest.

[Carmen Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Politics, Sex, Money

Interesting insight into social circles of DC to NY. The wheels of justice and politics. Family discord that leads to acceptable cheating in the early years when boys will be boys. They all met at the intersection of mental illness, disfuncional relationships and reality. I think the author tried to give an accurate account of facts without taking a side.

[Linda Gettig · Rating 4 out of 5]

True crime fans this one's a winner1

The book is very well written and it's a story you wouldn't believe if it were a fictional tale. But it's true!
Writing true crime tales, must be hard because you can't really change the facts, yet you must make them "readable" because who wants to yawn through dull testimony?

[Jane Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

True Crime

The story of the downfall of a respected judge, this book is informative on the attitude the government towards a !mentally I'll person. Though he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the government insisted that he was motivated by evil. This is a very sad tale.

[Myrna · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to raise a monster

Joy Silverman is a spoiled brat. Her mother taught her ugly manipulations to get what she (Joy) wanted from men destroying them and their families in the process. Too bad there isn't a law that would have put her in prison also. She is despicable.

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The truly bizarre story of a respected judge (with a promising political career) who throws it all away for a younger woman who seems like a total brat. The book is good, but it's hard to watch a grown man behave like a lovesick schoolboy page after page.

[T Sherrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and riveting

This story was so unbelievable yet all too realistic and was portrayed in an interesting and riveting way. I enjoyed the story and the author's way of telling it immensely.

[Jill H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow

[Linda Rushing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good crime drama

Author shows you the rich and famous first hand. Of human nature at its best and worst. I at times felt sorry for the guy

[Carol Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little tedious in reporting details, but I appreciate the author's desire to paint as full a picture as possible. Interesting case, proving that power and money do not always lead to happiness.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read and not as gripping as I would have thought.

[Carol Brennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly astonishing story, masterfully told.

[Dana Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book and well researched, but the writing was convoluted, overly and unnecessarily detailed, and difficult to follow. The book would have read better if the writing was more concise.

[brenda mcnulty · Rating 5 out of 5]

who else is to blame

the other person , namely, joy silverman, was a man eater, who planned to use this man until she used him up!

[Sylvia Beaverhouse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn't overly impressed by this story.

[Janet Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating story

I couldn't put this book down. It is an amazing story that held my attention. I highly recommend this book.

[Linda Tomase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greek tragedy plot in the 1990ties US setting. Very interesting, startling characters.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be just an ordinary book were it not for the individuals involved, mainly the man. He is a judge with a perfect reputation, but when he becomes involved in this relationship all common sense flies out the window.
I've included this in the "mental health" section because this would most definitely be an interesting case study for psychologists.

There is nothing really earth shattering in here, but I do highly recommend it.

[Helen]

Reminded me a lot of "The House of Hilton"...