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Forgotten News: The Crime of the Century and Other Lost Stories
An imaginative reconstruction of the people, events, newspapers, and courts of nineteenth-century America examines such period topics as the scandalous murder of a dentist, a tragic shipwreck, a lunatics ball, and more
290 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
6 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
Jack Finney
118 books478 followersMr. Finney specialized in thrillers and works of science fiction. Two of his novels, The Body Snatchers and Good Neighbor Sam became the basis of popular films, but it was Time and Again (1970) that won him a devoted following. The novel, about an advertising artist who travels back to the New York of the 1880s, quickly became a cult favorite, beloved especially by New Yorkers for its rich, painstakingly researched descriptions of life in the city more than a century ago.
Mr. Finney, whose original name was Walter Braden Finney, was born in Milwaukee and attended Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. After moving to New York and working in the advertising industry, he began writing stories for popular magazines like Collier's, The Saturday Evening Post and McCall's.
His first novel, Five Against the House (1954), told the story of five college students who plot to rob a casino in Reno. A year later he published The Body Snatchers (later reissued as Invasion of the Body Snatchers), a chilling tale of aliens who emerge from pods in the guise of humans whom they have taken over. Many critics interpreted the insidious infiltration by aliens as a cold-war allegory that dramatized America's fear of a takeover by Communists. Mr. Finney maintained that the novel was nothing more than popular entertainment. The 1956 film Invasion of the Body Snatchers was remade twice.
Mr. Finney first showed an interest in time travel in the short-story collection The Third Level, which included stories about a commuter who discovers a train that runs between New York and the year 1894, and a man who rebuilds an old car and finds himself transported back to the 1920s.
He returned to the thriller genre in Assault on a Queen (1959) and tried his hand at comedy in Good Neighbor Sam (1963), a novel based on his experiences as an adman, played by Jack Lemmon in the film version.
In The Woodrow Wilson Dime (1968), Mr. Finney once again explored the possibilities of time travel. The dime of the title allows the novel's hero to enter a parallel world in which he achieves fame by composing the musicals of Oscar Hammerstein and inventing the zipper.
With Time and Again, Mr. Finney won the kind of critical praise and attention not normally accorded to genre fiction. Thomas Lask, reviewing the novel in The New York Times, described it, suggestively, as "a blend of science fiction, nostalgia, mystery and acid commentary on super-government and its helots." Its hero, Si Morley, is a frustrated advertising artist who jumps at the chance to take part in a secret project that promises to change his life. So it does. He travels back to New York in 1882, moves into the Dakota apartment building on Central Park West and experiences the fabulous ordinariness of a bygone age: its trolleys, horse-drawn carriages, elevated lines, and gaslights. This year Mr. Finney published a sequel to the novel, From Time to Time.
Mr. Finney also wrote Marion's Wall (1973), about a silent-film actress who, in an attempt to revive her film career, enters the body of a shy woman, and The Night People (1977). His other fictional works include The House of Numbers (1957) and the short-story collection I Love Galesburg in the Springtime (1963). He also wrote Forgotten News: The Crime of the Century and Other Lost Stories (1983) about sensational events of the 19th century.
Mr. Finney, whose original name was Walter Braden Finney, was born in Milwaukee and attended Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. After moving to New York and working in the advertising industry, he began writing stories for popular magazines like Collier's, The Saturday Evening Post and McCall's.
His first novel, Five Against the House (1954), told the story of five college students who plot to rob a casino in Reno. A year later he published The Body Snatchers (later reissued as Invasion of the Body Snatchers), a chilling tale of aliens who emerge from pods in the guise of humans whom they have taken over. Many critics interpreted the insidious infiltration by aliens as a cold-war allegory that dramatized America's fear of a takeover by Communists. Mr. Finney maintained that the novel was nothing more than popular entertainment. The 1956 film Invasion of the Body Snatchers was remade twice.
Mr. Finney first showed an interest in time travel in the short-story collection The Third Level, which included stories about a commuter who discovers a train that runs between New York and the year 1894, and a man who rebuilds an old car and finds himself transported back to the 1920s.
He returned to the thriller genre in Assault on a Queen (1959) and tried his hand at comedy in Good Neighbor Sam (1963), a novel based on his experiences as an adman, played by Jack Lemmon in the film version.
In The Woodrow Wilson Dime (1968), Mr. Finney once again explored the possibilities of time travel. The dime of the title allows the novel's hero to enter a parallel world in which he achieves fame by composing the musicals of Oscar Hammerstein and inventing the zipper.
With Time and Again, Mr. Finney won the kind of critical praise and attention not normally accorded to genre fiction. Thomas Lask, reviewing the novel in The New York Times, described it, suggestively, as "a blend of science fiction, nostalgia, mystery and acid commentary on super-government and its helots." Its hero, Si Morley, is a frustrated advertising artist who jumps at the chance to take part in a secret project that promises to change his life. So it does. He travels back to New York in 1882, moves into the Dakota apartment building on Central Park West and experiences the fabulous ordinariness of a bygone age: its trolleys, horse-drawn carriages, elevated lines, and gaslights. This year Mr. Finney published a sequel to the novel, From Time to Time.
Mr. Finney also wrote Marion's Wall (1973), about a silent-film actress who, in an attempt to revive her film career, enters the body of a shy woman, and The Night People (1977). His other fictional works include The House of Numbers (1957) and the short-story collection I Love Galesburg in the Springtime (1963). He also wrote Forgotten News: The Crime of the Century and Other Lost Stories (1983) about sensational events of the 19th century.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 24, 2008
This may be my favorite Jack Finney book, and i love them all. What makes this one special is that it is all true, though written with Finney's usual verve a good humor. Although there are several chunks of material in the book, the one that is the most compelling is the story of the "crime of the century" that took place in Manhattan in the 1800s. For anyone who claims that Americans were less crass, less celebrity-minded, more civilized--they need to read "Forgotten News." The truth is, as Finney illustrates, nothing much has changed in 150 years.
January 16, 2016
A great read, in which Finney delves into some really, really old newspapers and recounts some of the big stories of those days. Really worth a look.
Read
June 2, 2010I'm putting this aside for now. It's an interesting attempt to retell the events of a real-life crime in the 1880's in story form, but other books have taken priority.
December 13, 2018
Finney examines two nineteenth century events that have long faded into oblivion, as the title suggests. In his introduction, Finney makes it clear that his work is not interpretive history: he allows the documents he has uncovered in his research to tell the story in a chronological sequence and refrains from the practice of presenting only the facts that fit a pet theory. His work shows the effort he made to produce quotes and photographs/drawings of the then current events and what emerges is an engagement with his subjects that is both impressive and touching. The two major events retold (and there are a handful of shorter ones described) both occur in 1857: the murder of dentist Dr. Harvey Blundell and the tragic sinking of the passenger ship Central America. The Blundell murder story is notable for the detailed picture of life in New York City at the time and the bizarre characters populating the story. The efforts by the authorities to convict three of the tenants living in Blundell’s townhouse, Emma Cunningham, her suspected lover and a young ne’er-do-well, form the backbone of a story that is by turns laugh out loud ludicrous and pathetic. As may be expected, the crime, apprehension of the suspects and the trial portray both customs and attitudes long outmoded and the eternal elements of human nature that shape events. Emma Cunningham is a truly memorable character and would play well today: a woman threatened by overwhelming circumstances who plows ahead, working with what is at hand to succeed, public opinion and concern with moral/ethical behavior be damned.
The sinking of the Central America is sensitively portrayed and conveys the hazards of the long-range public transportation available at the time. Railroads had yet to make a universal impact and in this case, some of the passengers were returning from the gold fields of California with their hard-won loot. They traveled via the isthmus of Panama, with its own hazards and discomforts, and were then packed aboard the Central America for the journey to the East Coast. Then, as now, the emphasis for the shipper was profit; comfort and safety concerns were of lesser importance, a model that was later to be very much in evidence of the sinking of the Titanic. The destruction of the Central America in a hellacious storm is especially notable for the acts of heroism engaged in by some of the passengers and the individual stories of those who survived after the sinking. Finney does an excellent job of bringing the survival stories to life in vivid detail.
Both stories deserve the treatment they receive in this book and would make great movies. PBS could change the location of the Blundell story to Victorian England to fit their marketing objective and the Central America story resembles the Titanic enough to be saleable, but it would most likely be shelved in favor of a remake (excuse me, “reboot”) of My Mother, the Car.
The sinking of the Central America is sensitively portrayed and conveys the hazards of the long-range public transportation available at the time. Railroads had yet to make a universal impact and in this case, some of the passengers were returning from the gold fields of California with their hard-won loot. They traveled via the isthmus of Panama, with its own hazards and discomforts, and were then packed aboard the Central America for the journey to the East Coast. Then, as now, the emphasis for the shipper was profit; comfort and safety concerns were of lesser importance, a model that was later to be very much in evidence of the sinking of the Titanic. The destruction of the Central America in a hellacious storm is especially notable for the acts of heroism engaged in by some of the passengers and the individual stories of those who survived after the sinking. Finney does an excellent job of bringing the survival stories to life in vivid detail.
Both stories deserve the treatment they receive in this book and would make great movies. PBS could change the location of the Blundell story to Victorian England to fit their marketing objective and the Central America story resembles the Titanic enough to be saleable, but it would most likely be shelved in favor of a remake (excuse me, “reboot”) of My Mother, the Car.
January 12, 2023
There are two long stories in this book of history, unrelated other than the year in which they took place, and several odd little fragments out of 19th century history. The stories are strange enough that one of them could easily have been fictional, but the author swears they're not, and who am I to doubt Jack Finney. After all, before he wrote any of his novels, his first published work was a non-fiction magazine article. Also, for his novel Time and Again, he did a lot of 19th century research, and apparently got hooked on doing that, leading to this book.
The first half of the book is about one of the weirdest murder cases in history, one in which the culprits sort of got away with a murder, but only sort of, because one of them managed to bungle things later and lose the intended benefits of the murder. The case was remarkable in many ways. The second long story was about the sinking of a ship on its way from Panama to New York. Because most of the passengers were on their way home from California, a lot of gold went down with the ship, but the story of the sinking itself should have been made into a movie. A few years after this book was published, the wreck of the Central America was finally found. The search was significant because of the estimated 15 tons of gold that had been on board, in cargo and in the possession of passengers.
Considering the way the author did this research "pre-Google," the amount of stuff that he found was quite impressive, and the way the stories were delivered to the reader were as well. It's not his usual fiction, but certainly strange enough bits of history to make this an interesting book.
The first half of the book is about one of the weirdest murder cases in history, one in which the culprits sort of got away with a murder, but only sort of, because one of them managed to bungle things later and lose the intended benefits of the murder. The case was remarkable in many ways. The second long story was about the sinking of a ship on its way from Panama to New York. Because most of the passengers were on their way home from California, a lot of gold went down with the ship, but the story of the sinking itself should have been made into a movie. A few years after this book was published, the wreck of the Central America was finally found. The search was significant because of the estimated 15 tons of gold that had been on board, in cargo and in the possession of passengers.
Considering the way the author did this research "pre-Google," the amount of stuff that he found was quite impressive, and the way the stories were delivered to the reader were as well. It's not his usual fiction, but certainly strange enough bits of history to make this an interesting book.
September 27, 2022
If anyone out there doesn't believe the old saying, "fact is stranger than fiction", then read this book and I can almost guarantee you'll change your mind!
Until I read this, I had never heard of the Dr. Burdell murder case, and when I read it, i wondered why that was, why such a fascinating story was never given more attention, especially as it gives a lot of insight into mid 19thc society, and also debunks some stereotypes, like the one about people back then being prim and proper, especially women. That's a real laugh!
There's so much packed into this story, besides the murder itself, and it reads like a novel. In fact, if it were a novel, ten to one you'd accuse the author of going too far and making the tale too unbelievable. Yet, everything in it was true, including the obliging pharmacist who agreed to help out his friends by posing as a woman in labor! (You'll have to read the book to figure that one out!)
I can honestly say (and I think others will agree) that there are few people with as much nerve, daring and determination as Emma Cunningham. She's not a likeable woman, but she sure is a fascinating one.
The book also includes other newsworthy stories from that century gone by, like a rescue from a fire in the New York World building, the sinking of the SS Central America, how stock exchange employees celebrated the holidays, and some very unusual gifts for two Presidents.
I guarantee you'll enjoy reading this book!
Until I read this, I had never heard of the Dr. Burdell murder case, and when I read it, i wondered why that was, why such a fascinating story was never given more attention, especially as it gives a lot of insight into mid 19thc society, and also debunks some stereotypes, like the one about people back then being prim and proper, especially women. That's a real laugh!
There's so much packed into this story, besides the murder itself, and it reads like a novel. In fact, if it were a novel, ten to one you'd accuse the author of going too far and making the tale too unbelievable. Yet, everything in it was true, including the obliging pharmacist who agreed to help out his friends by posing as a woman in labor! (You'll have to read the book to figure that one out!)
I can honestly say (and I think others will agree) that there are few people with as much nerve, daring and determination as Emma Cunningham. She's not a likeable woman, but she sure is a fascinating one.
The book also includes other newsworthy stories from that century gone by, like a rescue from a fire in the New York World building, the sinking of the SS Central America, how stock exchange employees celebrated the holidays, and some very unusual gifts for two Presidents.
I guarantee you'll enjoy reading this book!
June 19, 2019
mesmerizing
January 7, 2020
Weirdly fun writing style and bizarre crimes from history
October 14, 2014
After reading Time and Again I found myself drawn to anything Jack Finney wrote. In this he forsakes his time travel hooks and gives us some of the fascinating detailed research that made Time and Again a cut above. If you've read Time and Again you know the book is enriched by the addition of photos of the time period, as well as newspaper and magazine reproductions. This is what makes Forgotten News such a fascinating read, because again you are transported back in time - but through history (which is the closest thing to time travel we unfortunately have in this world).
Anyway, he finds some lesser known crimes in NYC of the 1800s - at least lesser known in today's world. But at the time these were seamy, horrifying tales that helped feed the yellow journalism presses of NYC. Think the Crippen murders of London transported to the US.
So, if you like "true crime" stories I think you'll find these tales fascinating.
Anyway, he finds some lesser known crimes in NYC of the 1800s - at least lesser known in today's world. But at the time these were seamy, horrifying tales that helped feed the yellow journalism presses of NYC. Think the Crippen murders of London transported to the US.
So, if you like "true crime" stories I think you'll find these tales fascinating.
January 12, 2014
In the first part of the book, Jack Finney re-tells what is likely the most sensational murder trial of the mid 1800s, synthesizing facts, eyewitness accounts, and quotations from the newspaper articles of the day. A Victorian era Desperate Housewives, full of drama, deception, scandal and wit.
Finney shares a few other forgotten news stories of the latter part of the 1800s: A heroic rescue from cannibals; the sinking of the Central America steamship; outrageous and hilarious shenanigans on Wall Street; the burning of the New York World building; exotic White House taxidermy gifts, and exactly nothing you have ever read in your high school history book.
Finney shares a few other forgotten news stories of the latter part of the 1800s: A heroic rescue from cannibals; the sinking of the Central America steamship; outrageous and hilarious shenanigans on Wall Street; the burning of the New York World building; exotic White House taxidermy gifts, and exactly nothing you have ever read in your high school history book.
May 30, 2015
Fascinating stories and apparently well researched. Finney attempts to place himself at the scenes described, using what he know from his research about the sights, sounds, smells, dress, language, and demeanor of the real-life characters. In so doing, he gives the reader a vivid picture, but unfortunately it is wholly Finney's picture and written in his style, which contrasts sharply against that of the time which he is describing. There is some sort of discontinuity that I can't quite describe.
June 22, 2015
The brutal murder of Dr. Burdell in mid-1800s NYC is recounted to us by Jack Finney, drawing from newspaper accounts of the day. Before internet, tv, and radio, sensational crime stories played out in competing newspapers. Drawings were used as photos weren't available yet. Many of these sketches are included in this book.
October 14, 2008
Fascinating.
September 28, 2014
This was an interesting account of an actual murder back in the 1800s but I felt a need to push myself to read it. Maybe a little too much detail. Included were Lost Stories after it.
July 31, 2012
His writing style is odd, making for a less than clear flow. I suppose I'll keep plugging away.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews