Truth is often stranger than fiction. It’s often more exciting as well, as in the case of the Levi Weeks trial of 1800. This murder trial was the first sensational murder trial of the fledgling United States of America. Not only did the events surrounding the death of the victim, Elma Sands, stir up a media frenzy, they also revealed the tangled web of political and personal ties, rivalries, and alliances that existed on the underbelly of Manhattan. In the center of this web: political and personal rivals Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, who, through a remarkable series of events, ended up on the same legal team defending Levi Weeks.
Paul Collins, in his excellent book Dual with the Devil, tackles this subject with an admirable vigor. He read innumerable newspapers of the era, and scoured the history books, distilling the historical record down into a breathless thrill ride through a barely-recognizable America. The characters are complex and compelling, and the action is fast-paced. There is dark humor juxtaposed with deep loss. Who said history is boring?
My hat is off to Collins. Not just for his exhaustive research, but for his ability to make history come alive without having to resort to conjecture. He gets inside the characters’ heads and emotions, but he only goes as far as the leash of historical record will allow. I appreciate the integrity and fidelity of this work, and I had an absolute blast reading it.
This is book for history-buffs, as well as those who slept through history class. It’s a quick, fun read. And you may just learn something as well! I have just one question: when does the movie come out?
Please Note: This book was gifted as a part of the Blogging for Books Reviewers Program in exchange for my unbiased review of this work. This has in no way influenced my opinion or review of this work.