Duel with the Devil
By Paul Collins
In the final days of 1799, just
as another yellow fever outbreak is loosening its grip on Manhattan Island, a
young woman is found dead in a water well.
Murder is immediately supposed, and a young man from her boarding house
is the prime suspect. Before the young
man can even stand trial, the public seems determined to hang Levi Weeks for
his crime. Among the legal
representation available, are two rising politicians of fiercely opposing
parties – Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr.
Duel with the Devil is the
intriguing account of how these two nemeses teamed up to prove Levi Weeks
innocent, and solve “America’s first sensational murder mystery.”
With a great amount of fascinating
early American history, Duel with the
Devil is a wonderful book on the early justice system and politics. When you think that the events of this book
occur just 23 years after the US declared independence from Britain, it is
amazing how much political controversy already existed. Burr and Hamilton had many reasons to be
fierce opponents, but that they both were determined to work together to free a
young man they believed to be innocent was a great conquest for the men. I really enjoyed how much material was
included in the book – as much as the murder trial was showcased, the culture
was explained as well. Overall, I’m
giving this book an A – good historical read for adults (some of the material
in the book is too mature for young audiences ).
I received a free copy of this
book from Broadway Books in exchange for my honest review.
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