Crime of the Century: The Lindbergh Kidnapping Hoax

In 1927 Charles Lindbergh flew the first solo trans-Atlantic flight from New York to Paris, this is recorded in the history books. In 1932 his 20-month-old son was abducted and killed, also recorded in the history books.The subsequent investigations lead to the arrest, conviction and death of Bruno Richard Hauptmann, again recorded in history. But what if history was wrong and what if Hauptmann was setup? That is what the authors try to prove in this book.The book gives new evidence and sheds new light on a crime many consider to be the worst in history. The authors show that Lindbergh cremated the body before any autopsy was ever done. They show, with convincing arguments that Lindbergh's story doesn't add up.The authors take apart, piece by piece, every shred of evidence and show that the wrong man was convicted and that the investigators were detailed as they lead the public to believe. This first rate work gives the reader a clear picture and after reading you can decide if they have done their homework.

As a 25+ year law enforcement veteran, and current homicide detective (and NO, I was not involved in the O.J. investigation) my first impression upon hearing of this book and its premise, was to dismiss it out of hand. After all, I had read most everything else about the Lindbergh case and there had never been a hint that the kidnap was anything but real. Then I read the book. It's true, the book is not exceedingly well written but these two guys are not professional journalists. What I sensed as I read was the presence of a fellow dogged police investigator (Monier) and, what I have begrugingly come to admire over the years: the skeptical mind of the criminal defense lawyer (Ahlgren). In tandem, their approach to sleuthing an old case is deadly. As I proceeded through the book all the crazy facts of the case which had never seemed to make sense to anyone, and which had provided much of the lure to the Lindbergh case, suddenly seemed to fall into place. The authors show in Lindbergh himself those personality traits which, in my own experience, are consistent with a parent who commits a terrible crime, and then concocts a cover-up. Did Lindy in fact do it? The authors are honest enough to conceed that Lindy as culprit is only one of many scenarios, although one that has previosly been overlooked by the journalists and other amateurs who have studied this case. For me, in my own experience, I'd say it's the most likely explanation.

Although this book could have used a good editor, the two authors have cleaned up this red-herring rich tale and left us with the only reasonable explanation for the death of the Lindbergh baby. Charles Lindbergh was not a hero, if you evaluate his entire life. I'm left to wonder if his still-living wife ever figured it out and whether his adult children have read this book. I'm sure this literary family have speculated about the whole matter. Also, Mrs. Hauptmann's entire life was spent proclaiming her husband's innocence, she died without peace. Lindbergh let that happen too.

This book should leave you feeling terrified of our criminal justice system. How on earth Bruno Hauptmann could have been sent to the electric chair based on this "evidence" is beyond me. I am pro-death penalty, but after reading this book I am rethinking my stand on this issue. If it could happen to Hauptmann, you wonder how many other innocent men were sent to their death in less notorious cases, you may even wonder if this nightmare could happen to you. It is outrageous to imagine that a man could be dragged from his home, charged with a crime based on essentially no concrete evidence, be put on trial with incompetant legal council, and pay for it with his life. I was filled with pity for this poor man who must have been totally overwhelmed by his situation. He was the innocent lamb sent to slaughter to provide the neat closure that this crime and its times demanded. And how Lindberg could live with himself for the rest of his long life is beyond me. To be responsible for the death of your child and then to allow an innocent man to be framed and executed for this act is reprehensible.