Customer Reviews (7) 
A miscarriage of justice...
I have read several books about the Lindbergh kidnapping and the Trial of the Century.A friend recommended The Airman and The Carpenter: The Lindbergh Kidnapping and the Framing of Richard Hauptmann by Ludovic Kennedy.Whether or not you believe that Bruno Richard Hauptmann was guilty in the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby, you can't help but be outraged over this historic trial.
Kennedy starts by giving a brief look at the backgrounds of Charles Lindbergh and Richard Hauptmann, as well as the period of time leading up to the kidnapping.Months after the baby was kidnapped and the ransom paid, the baby's remains were discovered four miles from the Lindbergh home.Marked ransom bills trickled into circulation, but it wasn't until over two years later that an astute gas station attendant wrote the license plate number of a patron who paid for his gas in marked gold certificates.This led police to the illegal German immigrant, Bruno Richard Hauptmann.
From the time of the arrest, the New Jersey State Police, led by Norman Schwartzkopf, Sr. latched onto Hauptmann and refused to consider any other scenario or suspect.Schwartzkopf was ill-prepared to handle such an important and high-profile case, having "never patrolled a beat or arrested a criminal."In fact, his only experience was as a floor-walker for a department store.He also refused to bring in the FBI (kidnapping was not a federal crime until after the Lindbergh kidnapping).Believing that Hauptmann was guilty but having only circumstantial evidence, the state police went to extremes to see that Hauptmann was convicted.They doctored employment records and confiscated others.They took his two ¾" chisels out of his toolbox, and then presented the toolbox in court--claiming that the chisel found at the crime scene belonged to Hauptmann.They suppressed evidence that showed that more than one person was involved, and that someone in the Lindbergh household may have provided inside information.They got two Lindbergh neighbors to lie and say they saw Lindbergh near the crime scene.They refused to allow the defense team to see Hauptmann's house or garage.This list goes on and on.And if it wasn't bad enough that the prosecution cheated and lied at every turn, his own lawyer was a big Lindbergh fan (had a photo of the aviator on his desk) and never believed in his client's innocence.The incompetent Edward J. Reilly was paid for by the Hearst Press and suffered from alcoholism and the final stages of syphilis.In four months time, he spent only 38 minutes with his client.One of Hauptmann's secondary attorneys claimed that "This is the greatest tragedy in the history of New Jersey.Time will never wash it out."
The major complaint that I have with The Airman and The Carpenter is that Kennedy gives us only a very superficial examination of the aftermath of the trial.Written in 1985, he certainly could have looked much farther than he did.While I am still not convinced that Hauptmann was totally innocent, I do believe a gross miscarriage of justice was done in that Flemington, NJ courthouse.
An Argument Against Guilt
The author was in New York in September 1981 and saw a TV show with Anna Hauptmann; after half a century she passionately declared her husband Richard was innocent of the crime. This impressed him enough to pick this subject for his next book. Other books were on miscarriages of justice. Kennedy is against the death penalty (but for euthanasia!?). He used the recently opened case archives in Trenton for this book. The 'Introduction' tells the reader what to expect from this very readable book.
Part One is a short biography of Charles Lindbergh. [It does not tell you that his Congressman father opposed the private banking cartel known as the Federal Reserve System.] Lindbergh's love of practical jokes suggests a flawed personality. Part Two tells of Richard Hauptmann. In the war he learned to do whatever it took to survive. Lawlessness increased after the war. Hauptmann burgled and robbed and was caught and sentenced. His adventures showed quick-witted daring. Hauptmann reported for work at 8 am, March 1, 1932. After work 5 pm he went home, then picked up his wife around 8 pm (p.80). Part Three explains what happened after the baby was kidnapped. Two sets of footprints were found leading from the ladder. The Lindberghs decided to stay over on Tuesday morning, so the kidnappers were either very lucky or had inside knowledge. After a ransom note arrived, $50,000 was given to a man in a Bronx cemetery. Then the body was found near the home. Part Four tells of the continuing investigation, and Hauptmann's life and friends. The Lindberghs lived as happily as possible. One of the ransom money bills led to the capture of Hauptmann.
Part Five notes the methods of the investigation of Hauptmann. Kennedy explains how a witness is prepared to identify a suspect (p.176), and criticizes their methods (p.177). But Hauptmann often lied (p.178). Pages 179-182 explain how the ransom note was forged: Hauptmann was forced to copy the note with its mistakes! There is implausibility in removing a plank from the attic (p.212). The fingerprints on the ransom note and ladder did not match Hauptmann; his shoe size did not match the footprints (pp.213-4). Page 216 tells how they found an eyewitness. Rail 16 was 1/16" thicker than the attic flooring (p.220)! Page 226 explains how evidence disappears when it challenges the prosecution's case. Part Six explains the actions of the Prosecution. Evidence was fabricated (p.242, 244). Defense lawyer Reilly was crooked or crazy (p.242). The trick with the ransom note is on page 276. The study of handwriting is an art, not a science (p.277). A chisel was removed to incriminate Hauptmann (p.295)! The "expert" witnesses impressed the jury. Part Seven tells of the efforts by the Defense lawyers. How could a professional carpenter make such a ramshackle ladder (p.309)? Page 314 tells how Wilentz threatened a defense witness. Rail 16 had "only one nail hole" after the kidnapping (p.317)! The other facts to prove it didn't come from the attic are on page 319. The jury found Hauptmann guilty in the first degree (p.344). Part Eight lists the efforts to overturn the sentence. Hauptmann's lawyers argued against the unreliable testimony of witnesses. The Court of Errors and Appeals affirmed the verdict. Given the evidence, the verdict was correct. Hauptmann "collected the ransom money and was therefore the kidnapper" (p.363). Governor Hoffman was advised that the trial was flawed, and Hauptmann was not guilty (p.366). Hauptmann pointed out the flaws in the case (p.367). The Court of Pardons would not commute his sentence (p.377). The evidence against guilt is on pages 383-384. There was a problem with Rail 16; it didn't fit (p.389)! The 'Epilogue' has the aftermath of the case. Page 409 tells of Lindbergh's gullibility on the German air force; or was it his fascist sympathy?
Kennedy says Hoffman "failed to win re-election as Governor in 1938" (p.408). Governors then were limited to one term of three years (as in most other states). The neighboring county is Warren, not "Warner" (p.241). One important clue in this case was the baby's pajamas; whoever had them took the baby. Where is this mentioned?
An Argument Against Guilt
The author was in New York in September 1981 and saw a TV show with Anna Hauptmann; after half a century she passionately declared her husband Richard was innocent of the crime. This impressed him enough to pick this subject for his next book. Other books were on miscarriages of justice. Kennedy is against the death penalty (but for euthanasia!?). He used the recently opened case archives in Trenton for this book. The 'Introduction' tells the reader what to expect from this very readable book.
Part One is a short biography of Charles Lindbergh. [It does not tell you that his Congressman father opposed the private banking cartel known as the Federal Reserve System.] Lindbergh's love of practical jokes suggests a flawed personality. Part Two tells of Richard Hauptmann. In the war he learned to do whatever it took to survive. Lawlessness increased after the war. Hauptmann burgled and robbed and was caught and sentenced. His adventures showed quick-witted daring. Hauptmann reported for work at 8 am, March 1, 1932. After work 5 pm he went home, then picked up his wife around 8 pm (p.80). Part Three explains what happened after the baby was kidnapped. Two sets of footprints were found leading from the ladder. The Lindberghs decided to stay over on Tuesday morning, so the kidnappers were either very lucky or had inside knowledge. After a ransom note arrived, $50,000 was given to a man in a Bronx cemetery. Then the body was found near the home. Part Four tells of the continuing investigation, and Hauptmann's life and friends. The Lindberghs lived as happily as possible. One of the ransom money bills led to the capture of Hauptmann.
Part Five notes the methods of the investigation of Hauptmann. Kennedy explains how a witness is prepared to identify a suspect (p.176), and criticizes their methods (p.177). But Hauptmann often lied (p.178). Pages 179-182 explain how the ransom note was forged: Hauptmann was forced to copy the note with its mistakes! There is implausibility in removing a plank from the attic (p.212). The fingerprints on the ransom note and ladder did not match Hauptmann; his shoe size did not match the footprints (pp.213-4). Page 216 tells how they found an eyewitness. Rail 16 was 1/16" thicker than the attic flooring (p.220)! Page 226 explains how evidence disappears when it challenges the prosecution's case. Part Six explains the actions of the Prosecution. Evidence was fabricated (p.242, 244). Defense lawyer Reilly was crooked or crazy (p.242). The trick with the ransom note is on page 276. The study of handwriting is an art, not a science (p.277). A chisel was removed to incriminate Hauptmann (p.295)! The "expert" witnesses impressed the jury. Part Seven tells of the efforts by the Defense lawyers. How could a professional carpenter make such a ramshackle ladder (p.309)? Page 314 tells how Wilentz threatened a defense witness. Rail 16 had "only one nail hole" after the kidnapping (p.317)! The other facts to prove it didn't come from the attic are on page 319. The jury found Hauptmann guilty in the first degree (p.344). Part Eight lists the efforts to overturn the sentence. Hauptmann's lawyers argued against the unreliable testimony of witnesses. The Court of Errors and Appeals affirmed the verdict. Given the evidence, the verdict was correct.Hauptmann "collected the ransom money and was therefore the kidnapper" (p.363). Governor Hoffman was advised that the trial was flawed, and Hauptmann was not guilty (p.366). Hauptmann pointed out the flaws in the case (p.367). The Court of Pardons would not commute his sentence (p.377). The evidence against guilt is on pages 383-384. There was a problem with Rail 16; it didn't fit (p.389)! The 'Epilogue' has the aftermath of the case. Page 409 tells of Lindbergh's gullibility on the German air force; or was it his fascist sympathy?
Kennedy says Hoffman "failed to win re-election as Governor in 1938" (p.408). Governors then were limited to one term of three years (as in most other states). The neighboring county is Warren, not "Warner" (p.241).
Grammatically wonderful, historically poor
Ludovic Kennedy demonstrates that he posseses significant writing skills.He keeps the reader interested throughout.Of all the books putting forth a theory of Hauptmann's innocence, his is the best written.
However, from a historical perspective, it is actually quite disappointing.For example, Kennedy insists that Hauptmann was working on 3/1/32, the day of the crime.However, Hauptmann testified at trial that he was not working that day.There are also several bold statements offered without any source or footnote which are contradicted by original source materials from the New Jersey State Police Museum and Archives.
In summary, Sir Ludovic is an excellent writer with great literary skills, but his conclusions and research leave much to be desired.
Well researched and wonderfully written!
An extremely well written book covering the Lindbergh baby kidnapping.I actually felt like I was right there witnessing the whole thing unfold.
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Fantasy