The Best American Crime Writing 2005 (Best American Crime Reporting)

“One of the strengths of this true-crime anthology series comes simply from its astonishing variety... it would be tough to better this collection.” —BooklistThe 2005 edition of The Best American Crime Writing offers the year's most shocking, compelling, and gripping writing about real-life crime, including Peter Landesman's article about female sex slaves (the most requested and widely read New York Times story of 2004), a piece from The New Yorker by Stephen J. Dubner (the coauthor of Freakanomics) about a high-society silver thief, and an extraordinarily memorable “ode to bar fights” written by Jonathan Miles for Men's Journal after he punched an editor at a staff party. But this year's edition includes a bonus—an original essay by James Ellroy detailing his fascination with Joseph Wambaugh and how it fed his obsession with crime—even to the point of selling his own blood to buy Wambaugh's books. Smart, entertaining, and controversial, The Best American Crime Writing is an essential edition to any crime enthusiast's bookshelf.“Great choices [and] great writing... proves truth is indeed stranger than fiction.” —Bloomberg News“Because these well-written articles vary widely, this work should appeal to all true-crime enthusiasts.” —Library Journal“A solid and diverse collection of true-crime writing... Anyone interested in true crime should find something to enjoy in this wide-ranging collection.” —Publishers Weekly

the 2005 Edition Of the Best American Crime Writing Offers The Year's Most Shocking, Compelling, And Gripping Writing About Real-life Crime, Including Peter Landesman's Article About Female Sex Slaves (the Most Requested And Widely Read new York Times Story Of 2004), A Piece From the New Yorker By Stephen J. Dubner (the Coauthor Of freakanomics) About A High-society Silver Thief, And An Extraordinarily Memorable Ode To Bar Fights Written By Jonathan Miles For men's Journal After He Punched An Editor At A Staff Party. But This Year's Edition Includes A Bonus — An Original Essay By James Ellroy Detailing His Fascination With Joseph Wambaugh And How It Fed His Obsession With Crime — Even To The Point Of Selling His Own Blood To Buy Wambaugh's Books. Smart, Entertaining, And Controversial, the Best American Crime Writing Is An Essential Edition To Any Crime Enthusiast's Bookshelf.

publishers Weekly

this Is A Solid And Diverse Collection Of True-crime Writing, If Devoid Of The Memorable Entries That Marked The 2004 Edition. The 16 Pieces-some By Familiar Names Such As Noir Master Ellroy, Freakonomics Coauthor Stephen J. Dubner And Terrorism Expert Lawrence Wright-span A Wider Range Of Criminal Activities, However, From An Anatomy Of Bar Fights (perhaps The Slightest Of The Pieces) To The Evolving Nature Of Al-qaeda As Evidenced By The March 11, 2004, Madrid Train Bombings. Three Essays Stand Out In Particular For Conveying Noteworthy Aspects Of The Criminal Mind In A Short Format. Texas Monthly Regular Skip Hollandsworth Offers A Compelling Portrait Of A Respectable, Church-going Suburbanite Who Masterminded Numerous Burglaries. Dubner's Piece Also Deals With A Master Burglar Who Specialized In Designer Silverware; Ivana Trump Was Among His Victims. Justin Kane And Jason Felch Outline The Vicissitudes Of An Elaborate Federal Investigation Of The Ukrainian Underworld. Philip Weiss Presents Outstanding Investigative Work On A Forgotten Travesty Of Justice Involving The Peace Corps (though It Has Less Impact Than His Book On The Topic, American Taboo). Anyone Interested In True Crime Should Find Something To Enjoy In This Wide-ranging Collection. (sept. 9) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

The 2005 edition of The Best American Crime Writing offers the year's most shocking, compelling, and gripping writing about real-life crime, including Peter Landesman's article about female sex slaves (the most requested and widely read New York Times story of 2004), a piece from The New Yorker by Stephen J. Dubner (the coauthor of Freakanomics ) about a high-society silver thief, and an extraordinarily memorable "ode to bar fights" written by Jonathan Miles for Men's Journal after he punched an editor at a staff party. But this year's edition includes a bonus -- an original essay by James Ellroy detailing his fascination with Joseph Wambaugh and how it fed his obsession with crime -- even to the point of selling his own blood to buy Wambaugh's books. Smart, entertaining, and controversial, The Best American Crime Writing is an essential edition to any crime enthusiast's bookshelf. The girls next door / Peter Landesman -- The ones that got away / Robert Draper -- The family man / Skip Hollandsworth -- Mysterious circumstances / David Grann -- The virus underground / Clive Thompson -- Punch drunk love / Jonathan Miles -- The terror web / Lawrence Wright -- Anatomy of a foiled plot / Craig Horowitz -- To catch an oligarch / Justin Kane and Jason Felch -- A long way down / Bruce Porter -- Fine disturbances / Jeff Tietz -- The silver thief / Stephen J. Dubner -- Stalking her killer / Philip Weiss -- Social disgraces / Debra Miller Landau -- The self-destruction of an M.D. / Neil Swidey -- Choirboys / James Ellroy Preface Introduction The Girls Next Door The Ones That Got Away The Family Man Mysterious Circumstances The Virus Underground Punch Drunk Love The Terror Web Anatomy of a Foiled Plot To Catch an Oligarch A Long Way Down Fine Disturbances The Silver Thief Stalking Her Killer Social Disgraces The Self-Destruction of an M.D. Choirboys Permissions and Acknowledgments Presents a collection of twenty stories, essays, and articles chosen by the editors as the best examples of American true-crime writing to be published in 2004, including selections from James Ellroy, Bruce Porter, Peter Landesman, and others