Wednesday, June 19, 2013

DUEL WITH THE DEVIL: A PREVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED 
DUEL WITH THE DEVIL 
The True Story of How Alexander Hamilton and 
Aaron Burr Teamed Up to Take on America's 
First Sensational Murder Mystery
BY PAUL COLLINS
 
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Duel with the Devil is acclaimed historian Paul Collins’ remarkable true account of a  stunning turn-of-the-19th century murder and the trial that ensued – a showdown in which iconic political rivals Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr joined forces to make sure justice was done. Still our nation’s longest running “cold case,” the mystery of Elma Sands finally comes to a close with this book, which delivers the first substantial break in the case in over 200 years.
In the closing days of 1799, the United States was still a young republic.  Waging a fierce battle for its uncertain future were two political parties: the well-moneyed Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, and the populist Republicans, led by Aaron Burr. The two finest lawyers in New York, Burr and Hamilton were bitter rivals both in and out of the courtroom, and as the next election approached—with Manhattan likely to be the swing district on which the presidency would hinge—their  animosity reached a crescendo. Central to their dispute was the Manhattan water supply, which Burr saw not just as an opportunity to help a city devastated by epidemics but as a chance to heal his battered finances.
But everything changed when Elma Sands, a beautiful young Quaker woman, was found dead in Burr's newly constructed Manhattan Well. The horrific crime quickly gripped the nation, and before long accusations settled on one of Elma’s suitors, handsome young carpenter Levi Weeks. As the enraged city demanded a noose be draped around the accused murderer’s neck, the only question seemed to be whether Levi would make it to trial or be lynched first.
The young man’s only hope was to hire a legal dream team.  And thus it was that New York’s most bitter political rivals and greatest attorneys did the unthinkable—they teamed up.
At once an absorbing legal thriller and an expertly crafted portrait of the United States in the time of the Founding Fathers, Duel with the Devil is a masterpiece of narrative nonfiction. 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
PAUL COLLINS is the author of eight books. An assistant professor of English in the MFA program at Portland State University, Collins is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship and the founding editor of the Collins Library imprint of McSweeney's Books. His work has appeared in Slate, New Scientist, and the New York Times, and he is regularly featured on NPR's Weekend Edition as their "literary detective." To read more about Author Paul Collins, visit his website "Bio" HERE.
PRAISE FOR DUEL WITH THE DEVIL:
“Lively, immediate and dishy in the style of a top-notch tabloid columnist…fizzes with the energy and irreverence of an infant republic…Collins provides a saucy breakdown of the twisty and interlocking interests behind Weeks’ case. This is New York politics in all its gritty glory.”Salon

“Collins not only skillfully squeezes the maximum juice out the combined history and mystery of his story, but may even have solved the crime.”
Christian Science Monitor

“NPR's "literary detective" once again applies his skills as a historian to a now obscure crime that was a cause celebre in its day…Using the court transcript as a primary source, Collins makes the most of the inherent drama of the case, and goes one step further to unearth convincing proof of the identity of the real killer.”
--Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

“This tautly constructed narrative, infused with period atmosphere, holds the reader’s attention…Collins delivers fine true-crime verisimilitude.”
--Booklist

“The author’s New York is a fascinating place [and] once the trial begins, the narrative truly takes off, as Collins reveals the immense talents of the three attorneys…A rousing tale of the longest murder trial to that date in Manhattan…the author’s conjecture as to the true villain is spot-on.”
--Kirkus Reviews

"Duel with the Devil begins as a wonderfully creepy historical murder mystery and becomes a riveting story of two acclaimed lawyers battling for justice in an unsympathetic courtroom. But, in the talented hands of author Paul Collins, it also becomes something more – a startlingly insightful look at early American history and the men who helped shape a young country. The book delivers on so many levels that you'll find yourself, as I did, reading it more than once."
--Deborah Blum, author of The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York

“A nimble and vividly evocative reconstruction of a long-forgotten New York murder mystery with an unforgettable cast of characters. Duel with the Devil is a fascinating book that unfolds like an early-American episode of Law & Order, with Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr as the celebrity guest stars.”
--Gary Krist, author of City of Scoundrels
SOME OTHER BOOKS BY PAUL COLLINS:
                    

                    

                    
GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO JESSICA AND THE GOOD FOLKS
AT CROWN PUBLISHING WITH RANDOM HOUSE,
I HAVE ONE COPY OF THIS EXCITING 
NON-FICTION BOOK, DUEL WITH THE DEVIL, TO
GIVE AWAY TO ONE VERY LUCKY READER 
  
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
 

COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!


HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT YOU READ ABOVE ABOUT DUEL WITH THE DEVIL THAT MADE YOU WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK, AND DON'T FORGET YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS 

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG AND/OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK HERE AND LEAVE ME YOUR LINK 


+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING AT PAUL COLLINS' WEBSITE HERE 

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE OTHER CURRENT GIVEAWAY YOU HAVE ENTERED. IF YOU ENTERED MORE THAN ONE, YOU MAY COMMENT SEPARATELY TO GAIN MORE ENTRIES 

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE WAY YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG. IF YOU FOLLOW MORE THAN ONE WAY, YOU CAN COMMENT SEPARATELY AND EACH WILL COUNT AS AN ENTRY

 
GIVEAWAY ENDS AT 
6 PM, EST, JULY 5 
GOOD LUCK!

139 comments:

debbie said...

What a great book this sounds like. I haven't read many historical mysteries, but the author sounds like he really knows his history. I would like to see how the crime is played out in the courtroom.
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debbie said...

I am a email subscriber.
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debbie said...

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debbie
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debbie said...

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I entered trouble vision.
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debbie said...

I entered thread and buried.
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holdenj said...

Of all things, we were just talking about this! I learned a lot about Aaron Burr in a Texas History class, sort of came to the duel in reverse!
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holdenj said...

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Entered Inferno
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Steve Capell said...

A 200 year old murder mystery sounds intriguing, creepy, and a must read for any mystery loving fan like me. Thanks for the opportunity.

steven.capell@gmail.com

petite said...

This book is fascinating. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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The author's books are intriguing and wonderful. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I am captivated with this historical mystery. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

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traveler said...

The author has talent and his imagination and books are interesting. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

This should be an amazing thriler. I can't imagine the two working together!

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I tweeted:
http://t.co/vasVi1L7Or

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I am amazed! I have never heard of this author before! I looked at the other boks that he has written and they all sound fascinating!

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Unknown said...

Although I have studied Aaron Burr in school and college, I have never heard of this story. I would really like to know more about this.

TCuevas@iccable.com

Unknown said...

Tweeted the giveaway: https://twitter.com/SELFTAUGHTCOOK2/status/347438102245154817

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Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for
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Unknown said...

I entered "Thread and Buried"

TCuevas@iccable.com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for
'Murder After A Fashion'.

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Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for
'Trouble Vision'.

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Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for
'Thread and Buried'.

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Unknown said...

Following by email:
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Carol N Wong said...

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traveler said...

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Rosita said...

I'm interested in the meshing of the murder mystery and early American history.

rosita(dot)p(dot)mariani(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

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rubynreba said...

I'd enjoy reading about Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr and their duel.
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Margie said...

This sounds like an intriguing mystery, particularly since it is based on historical facts. Thanks for the giveaway.
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Unknown said...

This book sounds really good. I love reading history. Please enter me in contest. I am a follower and email subscriber. Tore923@aol.com

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Pamela Keener said...

Two adveraries forming a defense team for the accused. Sounds delish!!
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