274 pp., 6.5 x 8.5
Paper 978-1-931968-54-6; $19.95
Law, Politics, and Society

-View an excerpt from Murder,
Culture, and Injustice-

His step-by-step analysis of the details of each case provides not only insight by skillful synthesis of the existing literature but also a solid overview of the events surrounding these four cases, each of which became a national obsession as well as a miscarriage of justice.

Taking a fresh look at the criminal justice system and the role of the media in the larger American milieu, Hixson delves into sociocultural impacts of crime that are both thought-provoking and fascinating reading.

"Murder, Culture, and Injustice is a fascinating book. Walter L. Hixson combines an engaging, fast-paced writing style with a thoughtful, well-informed analysis that debunks enduring myths about four of the most celebrated murder cases (and trials) in American history. At the same time, Hixson effectively uses these high-profile cases to explain how social and cultural tensions have sometimes distorted the operation of the legal system, resulting in grotesque miscarriages of justice. Simply put, Murder, Culture, and Injustice is a joy to read."
-Jeffrey S. Adler, University of Florida

Walter Hixson is professor of history at the University of Akron. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado and is a member of the Organization of American Historians. His previous books include: Parting the Curtain: Propaganda, Culture, and the Cold War; Charles A. Lindbergh: Lone Eagle; Witness to Disintegration: Provincial Life in the Last Year of the USSR; and George F. Kennan: Cold War Iconoclast.