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Crime of the Century: The Lindbergh Kidnapping Hoax
CRIME OF THE CENTURY The Lindbergh Kidnapping Hoax
by Gregory Ahlgren
and Stephen Monier
After it was announced that the twenty month old son of Charles and Anne Lindbergh was abducted on March 1, 1932, the entire world grieved for their loss. Seventy-two days later, the body was found in the woods next to a roadway, a short distance from Lindbergh's house, near Hopewell, New Jersey.
In 1927, Lindbergh was the first to fly solo across the Atlantic in his Spirit of St. Louis. By 1932, he was perhaps the most famous man alive. A great American hero, he was allowed to be the chief architect of the investigation into his son's kidnapping. He demanded that the body be cremated without an autopsy.
This book traces the 2½ year investigation by the New Jersey State Police, headed by Colonel H. Norman Schwarz¬kopf, and which led to the arrest, trial, conviction and execu¬tion of Bruno Richard Hauptmann. It challenges the effective¬ness of the investigation, and the evidence advanced by the prosecution, which convicted Hauptmann.
More importantly, it dissects evidence previously over¬looked of Lindbergh's own role in his son's disappearance, which, in combination with the authors' expert analysis, leads to a new and bold assertion as to who actually committed the Crime of the Century."
by Gregory Ahlgren
and Stephen Monier
After it was announced that the twenty month old son of Charles and Anne Lindbergh was abducted on March 1, 1932, the entire world grieved for their loss. Seventy-two days later, the body was found in the woods next to a roadway, a short distance from Lindbergh's house, near Hopewell, New Jersey.
In 1927, Lindbergh was the first to fly solo across the Atlantic in his Spirit of St. Louis. By 1932, he was perhaps the most famous man alive. A great American hero, he was allowed to be the chief architect of the investigation into his son's kidnapping. He demanded that the body be cremated without an autopsy.
This book traces the 2½ year investigation by the New Jersey State Police, headed by Colonel H. Norman Schwarz¬kopf, and which led to the arrest, trial, conviction and execu¬tion of Bruno Richard Hauptmann. It challenges the effective¬ness of the investigation, and the evidence advanced by the prosecution, which convicted Hauptmann.
More importantly, it dissects evidence previously over¬looked of Lindbergh's own role in his son's disappearance, which, in combination with the authors' expert analysis, leads to a new and bold assertion as to who actually committed the Crime of the Century."
286 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1993
34 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 24, 2017
I have read several books on the Lindbergh kidnapping so I am familiar with most of particulars so I was not looking for a book that rehashes most of the well-known 'facts'. This book certainly does not do that. In fact, even the infamous trial is discussed sparingly. What it does do, at least superficially, is make the reader think. It asks questions and creates doubts about things which have been taken for granted for 85 years.
First of all, I will admit to not liking Charles Lindbergh, mostly for his racist attitudes, but now after reading the book for some of his pecularities such as his reprehensible 'practical jokes' and controlling ways. That law enforcement let him run the show, at least until the child's body was found, is utterly indefensible. The authors may not have presented a 'Case Closed' scenario, but they have shown that justice was barely scratched in this case. Thankfully, we have come a long way since March 1, 1932.
First of all, I will admit to not liking Charles Lindbergh, mostly for his racist attitudes, but now after reading the book for some of his pecularities such as his reprehensible 'practical jokes' and controlling ways. That law enforcement let him run the show, at least until the child's body was found, is utterly indefensible. The authors may not have presented a 'Case Closed' scenario, but they have shown that justice was barely scratched in this case. Thankfully, we have come a long way since March 1, 1932.
July 25, 2008
One of a few books that I have read on the Lindbergh kidnapping. This one takes the stance that there was no kidnapping, that Lindbergh did it himself. Hope I'm not giving anything away there. Anyway, I have to say, I don't buy everything this book has to say, but I am convinced that the kidnapping was a hoax. Like, why would a german man write a ransom note in a german accent?!?
December 10, 2015
The book opens with a criticism of Lindbergh's life, much of which is not directly relevant to the case. I doubt such personality criticisms would be allowed in a court of law, lest they unduly influence the jury.
The coverage of the various attempts by extortionists to get money from Lindbergh or the authorities, is well done. Even Al Capone offered to investigate through his contacts, if he could be given a sentencing concession. The book states that the man executed for kidnapping and murder, may have been connected to an extortion gang, but that he did not do the crime as convicted.
The struggle of New Jersey Governor Hoffman to bring objectivity to the trial is well documented here. However, although the authors castigate Lindbergh for his later activities, they do not mention that Hoffman was found and confessed to being a financial embezzler decades later.
The coverage of the various attempts by extortionists to get money from Lindbergh or the authorities, is well done. Even Al Capone offered to investigate through his contacts, if he could be given a sentencing concession. The book states that the man executed for kidnapping and murder, may have been connected to an extortion gang, but that he did not do the crime as convicted.
The struggle of New Jersey Governor Hoffman to bring objectivity to the trial is well documented here. However, although the authors castigate Lindbergh for his later activities, they do not mention that Hoffman was found and confessed to being a financial embezzler decades later.
March 19, 2020
Charles Lindbergh is proof that not every hero is a decent person. While it has long been known that he was a Nazi sympathizer, the allegations regarding his involvement in the kidnapping and death of his first son has generally been rumored in only perhaps the last 60 years or so. Pretty much ignored by people who still hold him in high esteem, there have been few in-depth studies done regarding his involvement in what is perhaps the best known kidnapping case and the case that lead to kidnapping becoming a federal crime (Congress passed the Lindbergh Kidnapping Law in 1932, the year his son was "kidnapped".) This book, written by a lawyer and a US marshal who have done a complete investigation of the case, lays out in a very simple, easy-to-understand way how Charles Lindbergh himself was the most likely person to have carried out this despicable act. Known for his (sometimes very sick) practical jokes, including once putting his son in a closet and frightening his wife as to the child's whereabouts, Lindbergh had a slightly-deranged sense of humor and, combined with his extreme arrogance and the public's obvious adoration of him, felt he was entitled to pretty much do what he wanted. I won't go into the details of how he possibly carried this out as it is a fascinating read and, in fact, the entire incident makes sense ONLY if he is considered the suspect, but I will say that I was unnerved and appalled at how he was able to insert himself into the investigation (something that should not happen even if one is not involved in some way) and lead those endeavoring to solve the mystery down false avenues of inquiry and the many lives he ruined in the process. This book is a warning about making heroes out of fallible and sometimes downright evil people. I'm convinced and I think history needs to view Bruno Hauptmann as yet another casualty of a very egotistical man.
October 6, 2018
I am torn on how to rate this book.
First, I read a magazine article many years ago that espoused this same theory: That the "kidnapping" was a hoax to cover up a "practical joke" gone awry.
There are many, many reasons to believe this theory. Reportedly, Lindbergh played many such jokes, and once before he had hidden the child and let his anguished and frantic wife search for 20 minutes before "discovering" the baby in a closet, and he put kerosene into a friend's water bottle, causing serious and life-threatening injuries. As for the kidnapping: How did a note pop up in an obvious place AFTER the nursery had been searched? Why would a kidnapper write a note in an accent? Why were there NO fingerprints in the room? Why would the police allow the father of the alleged kidnap victim to head up the investigation and to veto sound police procedure? and on and on. I found the authors' arguments compelling and believable.
As far as being a "hatchet job" of Lindbergh, the authors didn't say anything that wasn't true. He WAS a Nazi sympathizer and admired Hitler. He believed in keeping the "European race" pure. His "jokes" were extremely cruel. And the authors didn't even mention that he had THREE other families in Europe. Aside from his being the first to cross the Atlantic in a plane--which was indeed impressive--this man was not heroic in any way.
However, this was the most poorly edited book I've ever read. Punctuation was awful. Even "cemetery" was misspelled. As an editor, I'm very distracted by this; it draws attention to the errors and away from the content. In addition, the last several chapters were just a rehash and should have been condensed into one concise summary. The authors are attorneys, not writers, but where was their editor?
First, I read a magazine article many years ago that espoused this same theory: That the "kidnapping" was a hoax to cover up a "practical joke" gone awry.
There are many, many reasons to believe this theory. Reportedly, Lindbergh played many such jokes, and once before he had hidden the child and let his anguished and frantic wife search for 20 minutes before "discovering" the baby in a closet, and he put kerosene into a friend's water bottle, causing serious and life-threatening injuries. As for the kidnapping: How did a note pop up in an obvious place AFTER the nursery had been searched? Why would a kidnapper write a note in an accent? Why were there NO fingerprints in the room? Why would the police allow the father of the alleged kidnap victim to head up the investigation and to veto sound police procedure? and on and on. I found the authors' arguments compelling and believable.
As far as being a "hatchet job" of Lindbergh, the authors didn't say anything that wasn't true. He WAS a Nazi sympathizer and admired Hitler. He believed in keeping the "European race" pure. His "jokes" were extremely cruel. And the authors didn't even mention that he had THREE other families in Europe. Aside from his being the first to cross the Atlantic in a plane--which was indeed impressive--this man was not heroic in any way.
However, this was the most poorly edited book I've ever read. Punctuation was awful. Even "cemetery" was misspelled. As an editor, I'm very distracted by this; it draws attention to the errors and away from the content. In addition, the last several chapters were just a rehash and should have been condensed into one concise summary. The authors are attorneys, not writers, but where was their editor?
May 17, 2011
The entire premise of the book--that Lindbergh accidentally killed his son and staged a kidnapping hoax to cover up the accident--doesn't pass the smell test. The author does little to prove his thesis except to ask "why didn't this or that happen" questions. Questions are not evidence. There are almost no new facts presented. The writing is sloppy and repetitive. Although the author presents a compelling case that Lindbergh was a jerk, a plausible hypothesis that Bruno Hauptman may have been an extorsonist rather than the kidnapper, he fails entirely to lay any blame for the baby's death at the feet of his father.
July 25, 2016
Crime of the Century: The Lindbergh Kidnapping Hoaxby Gregory Ahlgren & Stephen Monier is an account of crime and investigation conducted many decades ago, facts about the Lindbergh child abduction and murder case that will surprise anyone who thinks he or she knows anything about the crime. In March 1932, Charles Lindbergh's child was abducted and after seventy-two hours, the child was found dead. Lindbergh took the investigation in his hands, an investigation that lasted two years. Hauptmann was apprehended and charged for the kidnapping and murder of this child. But the question is: Did he really commit the crime? This book offers a very critical look into the case and unveils facts that will make readers ask more questions than the answers the investigation and the conviction provide.
It's a chilling account of a case that will blow the minds of readers and a well-research statement on the injustices of our age. The writers seem to have done a lot of research. The writing is fairly good, but it's the facts that will keep readers eyes glued to the pages of this gripping tale. It is interesting to see how the authors give life to historical facts that could have considered dead by most people.
It's a chilling account of a case that will blow the minds of readers and a well-research statement on the injustices of our age. The writers seem to have done a lot of research. The writing is fairly good, but it's the facts that will keep readers eyes glued to the pages of this gripping tale. It is interesting to see how the authors give life to historical facts that could have considered dead by most people.
January 21, 2021
This book theorizes that Charles Lindbergh killed his own son. It is the only book of the Lindbergh kidnapping written by a trial lawyer and criminal investigator (as opposed to journalists), which gives it a lot of credibility. Worth a read.
January 23, 2018
This was definitely a different take on a long ago story. It makes sense too. Scary to think that we will never know the what the truth was. Sad really.
February 2, 2024
This book was written in the 90s and is probably the definitive book on this celebrated case.
The authors conclude that it is probable that "Colonel" Lindbergh himself was responsible for his child's death.
While it has long been known that the trial of Bruno Hauptman was a farce, with bias shown by the judge, a most likely biased jury, a poor legal representation for the defendant (His lawyer was frequently drunk), and phony evidence, it has never been proposed that Lindbergh himself caused the child's death.
Although Hauptman was found to possess some of the marked ransom money, and may have been guilty of fraud, there was no solid evidence that the was the kidnapper. He denied any participation in the kidnapping right up to his death in the electric chair.
On the other hand, Lindbergh, although a "national hero" for his flight, was known to have had few friends, was awkward in social interactions and was often cruel to others. He is known to have schemed to play "jokes" on others which were bizarre and hurtful, although he thought them funny. Additionally, he was deferred to by police investigators, was never questioned regarding the death and took total control of the investigation. He manipulated numerous people, creating complex and unnecessary scenarios to direct attention away from himself.
He had the opportunity to commit the crime (probably a "joke" that went horribly wrong), and opportunity to wipe away any prints from the child's room. No prints of anyone were found. He also knew exactly which shutter was damaged so entry could be gained through the window. Even more incriminating, hardly anyone outside the family knew they would be staying at that house on that particular night.
This book is fascinating, thoroughly researched and very believable.
The take-away: How the legal system can go so wrong!
No questions for the parents and a conviction and execution of an innocent man!
The authors conclude that it is probable that "Colonel" Lindbergh himself was responsible for his child's death.
While it has long been known that the trial of Bruno Hauptman was a farce, with bias shown by the judge, a most likely biased jury, a poor legal representation for the defendant (His lawyer was frequently drunk), and phony evidence, it has never been proposed that Lindbergh himself caused the child's death.
Although Hauptman was found to possess some of the marked ransom money, and may have been guilty of fraud, there was no solid evidence that the was the kidnapper. He denied any participation in the kidnapping right up to his death in the electric chair.
On the other hand, Lindbergh, although a "national hero" for his flight, was known to have had few friends, was awkward in social interactions and was often cruel to others. He is known to have schemed to play "jokes" on others which were bizarre and hurtful, although he thought them funny. Additionally, he was deferred to by police investigators, was never questioned regarding the death and took total control of the investigation. He manipulated numerous people, creating complex and unnecessary scenarios to direct attention away from himself.
He had the opportunity to commit the crime (probably a "joke" that went horribly wrong), and opportunity to wipe away any prints from the child's room. No prints of anyone were found. He also knew exactly which shutter was damaged so entry could be gained through the window. Even more incriminating, hardly anyone outside the family knew they would be staying at that house on that particular night.
This book is fascinating, thoroughly researched and very believable.
The take-away: How the legal system can go so wrong!
No questions for the parents and a conviction and execution of an innocent man!
May 26, 2023
Ok, I confess, I only read half this book. Not very well written and repetitive, the authors offer a theory based on the 1927 evidence of the Baby Lindbergh kidnapping that Lindbergh accidentally killed his son and covered it up by taking complete charge of the investigation. The authors paint a disturbing picture of Lindbergh as a controlling, mean, ego-driven prankster. Our book club unanimously disliked him and discussed the differences between being a hero and achieving great things. Lindbergh was NO hero.
March 21, 2022
almost excellent
The authors have done some excellent research and make a very good case that Lindbergh may have accidentally killed is own baby. I only wish they would have spent more time trying to explain the ladder, did he build it?and why did he build such a bad ladder?. In my opinion not expanding on the ladder is the big disappointment of this otherwise very good book
The authors have done some excellent research and make a very good case that Lindbergh may have accidentally killed is own baby. I only wish they would have spent more time trying to explain the ladder, did he build it?and why did he build such a bad ladder?. In my opinion not expanding on the ladder is the big disappointment of this otherwise very good book
March 21, 2018
Much of the "information" in this book is misleading and in many instances just wrong. Everything twisted to fit the unlikely scenario. I have read many books on the kidnapping and this one is the worst.
November 1, 2021
I was convinced after the first 2 chapters that he did it. Nothing subsequent to that changed my mind. Nice research and synthesis from the authors. Kudos!
October 10, 2020
Certainly thought provoking...
June 24, 2023
Four stars for the content and theory which created great discussion at book club
August 5, 2013
Not much to say on this one. I'd read other books on the subject, both pro-Hauptmann (Ludovic Kennedy's The Airman and the Carpenter) and anti-Hauptmann (Jim Fisher's The Lindbergh Case) and was looking for a new perspective on the matter. The author, a laywer by profession, presents a new theory on the kidnapping/murder; one that I'd never encountered before and found interesting. However, in true defense attorney fashion, he only presents the evidence that supports his case, leaving out some very important details about Bruno Richard Hauptmann's character and criminal record from his days in Europe. I won't reveal any details, as no spoilers here. My personnel opinion: this continues to be one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of all time and will probably always remain that way. Bottom line: only recommended for those interested in the Lindbergh Kidnapping Case.
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November 1, 2016I knew very little detail about the Lindbergh kidnapping other than there was quite a mystery surrounding it. I found this book fascinating and the premise reasonable. I love conspiracy theories but find most far fetched and without much merit. Definitely not the case with this book. I think the authors did a supreme job of outlining the case against Lindbergh and definitely solved it.
I knew that Lindbergh had a dark side supporting eugenics and Nazism but didn't know just how mean spirited he could be to those close to him. To think that he allowed an innocent man to be executed for a crime that didn't happen is abhorrent. Lindbergh definitely did not have any hero qualities and does not deserve that title.
I knew that Lindbergh had a dark side supporting eugenics and Nazism but didn't know just how mean spirited he could be to those close to him. To think that he allowed an innocent man to be executed for a crime that didn't happen is abhorrent. Lindbergh definitely did not have any hero qualities and does not deserve that title.
August 27, 2012
It seems that I'm on a 1920's "theme read." This the second Lindbergh kidnapping book I've read this month. Both were complelling as to the identity of the perp. There were so many good clues that point to the Colonel, as horrific as this seems. There was only one point that was not addressed with a plausible explanation - just where did that ladder come from. this was a great read, a page turner that I couldnt put down.
July 29, 2014
After it was announced that the twenty month-old son of Charles and Anne Lindbergh was abducted, the entire world grieved for their loss. Seventy-two days later, the body was found in the woods next to a roadway, a short distance from Lindbergh’s house. A great hero, Lindbergh was allowed to be the chief architect of the investigation into his son’s kidnapping. In this capacity, the first thing he did was to have the body cremated without an autopsy. Why? An interesting book
August 12, 2014
Was an innocent man tried, convicted, and executed for the Lindberg baby kidnapping and death? The authors make a convincing case that the baby died during a attempted practical joke by Charles Lindberg in which the baby fell and was killed. A very interesting read on what is probably the most famous kidnapping on record.
April 5, 2025
I've read many books on this topic. The authors tear apart the Rail 16 ladder "evidence" better than any other writer/investigator. Overall, good book. There were a few errors that were annoying such as getting Lindbergh's dad's middle name wrong.
March 17, 2008
It was probably Charles Lindbergh that killed his baby - and he was a Nazi!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2021
This is what happens when you are rich and famous. Common Bruno Hauptmann got nothing.
April 28, 2017
I found this very interesting in that I have long wondered about Lindbergh's involvement in the 'kidnapping'.
The book does not get into Charles Lindbergh's life as a eugenicist (which was very popular at the time), Nazi sympathizer, or father of three families much later in Germany, or the baby's physical or mental problems. I always felt that Lindbergh could not reconcile being himself of 'the uber race' having produced a less than perfect child.
He was a unpleasant person, with no close friends, and had hidden the baby as a prank months before, to amuse himself as his wife and the household looked for the missing baby.
In school we were taught that Lindbergh was a hero. It turns out he was a creep.
With time some of our American historical mythology gets revealed, and the real history comes out.
The book does not get into Charles Lindbergh's life as a eugenicist (which was very popular at the time), Nazi sympathizer, or father of three families much later in Germany, or the baby's physical or mental problems. I always felt that Lindbergh could not reconcile being himself of 'the uber race' having produced a less than perfect child.
He was a unpleasant person, with no close friends, and had hidden the baby as a prank months before, to amuse himself as his wife and the household looked for the missing baby.
In school we were taught that Lindbergh was a hero. It turns out he was a creep.
With time some of our American historical mythology gets revealed, and the real history comes out.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews