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Arrested Adolescence: The Secret Life of Nathan Leopold
Nathan Leopold seemed to live a charmed life: a published, polyglot college graduate by the time he was 19 and from a prominent, wealthy Chicago family. So, it was a shock to everyone when he and his lover, Richard Loeb, confessed to killing their 14-year-old neighbor Bobby Franks "for a thrill."
During the summer of 1924 the world watched in fascinated horror as the pair were defended by the famous Clarence Darrow in what many labeled "the trial of the century." There was a massive public outcry when the murderers were spared the death penalty, and once they were behind bars, most hoped they would never be heard from again.
33 years after the murder, it seemed that Nathan Leopold was a changed man. In prison he ran a high school and library, worked as a nurse, and helped find a cure for malaria. He was deemed rehabilitated and paroled to a tiny town in the mountains of Puerto Rico. There he got a degree in social work, raised funds to build a hospital, and advocated for the abolishment of prisons and capital punishment. When he died in 1971 there was an outpouring of support for the "gentle" "reformed" killer. Yet his life was not what it seemed.
100 years after the murder, this groundbreaking new biography uses previously unseen archival collections to look at the full life of Nathan Leopold and reveal the motivations behind Bobby's death and the secrets kept hidden from history.
During the summer of 1924 the world watched in fascinated horror as the pair were defended by the famous Clarence Darrow in what many labeled "the trial of the century." There was a massive public outcry when the murderers were spared the death penalty, and once they were behind bars, most hoped they would never be heard from again.
33 years after the murder, it seemed that Nathan Leopold was a changed man. In prison he ran a high school and library, worked as a nurse, and helped find a cure for malaria. He was deemed rehabilitated and paroled to a tiny town in the mountains of Puerto Rico. There he got a degree in social work, raised funds to build a hospital, and advocated for the abolishment of prisons and capital punishment. When he died in 1971 there was an outpouring of support for the "gentle" "reformed" killer. Yet his life was not what it seemed.
100 years after the murder, this groundbreaking new biography uses previously unseen archival collections to look at the full life of Nathan Leopold and reveal the motivations behind Bobby's death and the secrets kept hidden from history.
340 pages, ebook
Published April 15, 2023
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September 15, 2023
In 1924 wealthy teenagers Nathan Leopold & Richard Loeb both considering themselves to be of superior intellect kidnapped and killed 14-year old Bobby Franks for the thrill of it. It is a well know case that has had wide publicity ever since it happened.
The teens were not insane and they certainly knew right from wrong. Attorney Clarence Darrow managed to save them from the death penalty. They were sentenced to life in prison plus 99 years.
There are numerous books about the case some of which I have read. What I did not read was the 1958 autobiography Leopold published that had nothing to do with his crime. “Life Plus 99 Years” was Leopold’s attempt to show himself in a good light to impress the parole board.
Erik Rebain has begun his book with, of course, the crime and the trial (dubbed “The Crime of the Century’) but this is the first book that I am aware of that has delved into Leopold & Loeb’s time in prison, Leopold’s eventual parole after 33+ years and his life in Puerto Rico after prison.
After several attempts to gain parole Leopold was able to present a facsimile of what he knew was necessary to get parole. He threw his now dead best friend and partner in crime Loeb under the bus by saying he was merely following Loeb’s’ instructions in the murder scheme. In 1958 he was paroled to Puerto Rico.
Nathan Leopold lived a charmed life in Puerto Rico even throughout his years of probation when he paid little attention to probation restrictions and continued his aberrant behavior. While he didn’t commit another murder he was still the same abhorrent person he was at age 19. He got married to a woman who for some reason seemed to love him but what he wanted was a housekeeper. The poor woman stuck with him until his death.
One of the questions the book seeks to answer would be ‘is rehabilitation a real possibility’?
“Leopold was fine with deception and had no interest in showing the public his true thoughts or actions. The persona he’d built for himself was functioning as beautifully as he had crafted it to.” (Pg.242)
Leopold kept a picture of Loeb, his partner in crime who was murdered in prison, on his dresser until his death when his wife finally tore it up.
The author has accessed a wealth of documentation from myriad sources to produce a comprehensive text on the subject, focused mainly on Leopold.
My view is that Leopold was just a creep who could not be rehabilitated by prison or any other means and continued to be a creep until his dying day. He is the kind of creep that gives homosexuality a bad name.
The 1959 movie “Compulsion” was based on the case but the character names were changed. Leopold fought for years to prevent the publication of the book by Myer Levin on which the movie is based.
This book was a hell of a read! Kudos to the author.
The teens were not insane and they certainly knew right from wrong. Attorney Clarence Darrow managed to save them from the death penalty. They were sentenced to life in prison plus 99 years.
There are numerous books about the case some of which I have read. What I did not read was the 1958 autobiography Leopold published that had nothing to do with his crime. “Life Plus 99 Years” was Leopold’s attempt to show himself in a good light to impress the parole board.
Erik Rebain has begun his book with, of course, the crime and the trial (dubbed “The Crime of the Century’) but this is the first book that I am aware of that has delved into Leopold & Loeb’s time in prison, Leopold’s eventual parole after 33+ years and his life in Puerto Rico after prison.
After several attempts to gain parole Leopold was able to present a facsimile of what he knew was necessary to get parole. He threw his now dead best friend and partner in crime Loeb under the bus by saying he was merely following Loeb’s’ instructions in the murder scheme. In 1958 he was paroled to Puerto Rico.
Nathan Leopold lived a charmed life in Puerto Rico even throughout his years of probation when he paid little attention to probation restrictions and continued his aberrant behavior. While he didn’t commit another murder he was still the same abhorrent person he was at age 19. He got married to a woman who for some reason seemed to love him but what he wanted was a housekeeper. The poor woman stuck with him until his death.
One of the questions the book seeks to answer would be ‘is rehabilitation a real possibility’?
“Leopold was fine with deception and had no interest in showing the public his true thoughts or actions. The persona he’d built for himself was functioning as beautifully as he had crafted it to.” (Pg.242)
Leopold kept a picture of Loeb, his partner in crime who was murdered in prison, on his dresser until his death when his wife finally tore it up.
The author has accessed a wealth of documentation from myriad sources to produce a comprehensive text on the subject, focused mainly on Leopold.
My view is that Leopold was just a creep who could not be rehabilitated by prison or any other means and continued to be a creep until his dying day. He is the kind of creep that gives homosexuality a bad name.
The 1959 movie “Compulsion” was based on the case but the character names were changed. Leopold fought for years to prevent the publication of the book by Myer Levin on which the movie is based.
This book was a hell of a read! Kudos to the author.
December 15, 2022
With his new book, Arrested Adolescence, Erik Rebain provides an efficient road map in for beginning researchers, and a succinct overview for “one and done” readers looking for the “best book” to read about the Leopold and Loeb case.
I was pleased to receive an ARC copy from Net Galley, and I thank them for the opportunity to read and review Arrested Adolescence before its release.
For students and aficionados of the case, Rebain’s book is a welcome addition that explores in depth the (previously obscure) final years of Nathan Leopold’s life.
The book starts out with a peek at this period - a quiet vignette of Leopold taking in the opera years after his parole. It is immediately clear that Rebain is masterful when it comes to pulling forth anecdotes that bring both boys to life for a modern audience. He summarizes his interpretation of their relationship in one sentence. Since this interpretation aligns with my own, I am in absolute awe of his ability to neatly condense what would take me pages of text to explain.
Readers seeking in-depth discussion of uncertainties in the case, or Leopold’s psychology will be disappointed. Many aspects, including pinpointing Loeb’s sexuality and the issue of which boy physically attacked Bobby Franks, have been hotly debated for almost 100 years. Rebain quietly makes those hard calls for us, inserting his (probably correct) choices seamlessly into the narrative. Unfortunately, a casual reader might miss the ambiguity of the historical record.
In addition, the historical record is clear that Leopold was emotionally, sexually, and physically abused as a young child and may have subsequently suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result. It is also clear that, as a gay male in the 1900s, Leopold was faced with the sort of continual, systemic discrimination that almost always has a pervasive, negative impact on an individual’s mental health, relationships, philosophy of life, and sense of self-worth. Lastly, Leopold, by virtue of his intelligence, was not a neuro-typical person. For those of us familiar with the spectrum between Attention Deficit Disorder and Autism, character traits like Leopold’s love of categorization, impaired empathy, continual professional migration, and yes, his defiance of authority, indicate that maybe he was neuro-divergent in other ways as well.
Yet Leopold is given no quarter in the narrative, and there is a thread of distaste for him that runs throughout. Distaste for his participation in an adolescent’s murder when he himself was underage is more than understandable. But the analysis that Leopold shamelessly exploited his “fans”, his wife, and his lovers ignores the grim reality that some - if not all of them - were shamelessly exploiting him right back.
In the end, Rebain’s confidence in his assessments of debatable material, and his refusal to be a Leopold or Loeb apologist does not detract from the book. He owns the story, and he tells it with a compelling voice.
The book is, in essence, a lean, well-told biography of Leopold’s entire life. Who Leopold was as a person has not been nearly as important to our society as the personal and social issue sandbox his case provided for us. Rebain’s in-depth portrait fills a void that was vacant for far too long.
I was pleased to receive an ARC copy from Net Galley, and I thank them for the opportunity to read and review Arrested Adolescence before its release.
For students and aficionados of the case, Rebain’s book is a welcome addition that explores in depth the (previously obscure) final years of Nathan Leopold’s life.
The book starts out with a peek at this period - a quiet vignette of Leopold taking in the opera years after his parole. It is immediately clear that Rebain is masterful when it comes to pulling forth anecdotes that bring both boys to life for a modern audience. He summarizes his interpretation of their relationship in one sentence. Since this interpretation aligns with my own, I am in absolute awe of his ability to neatly condense what would take me pages of text to explain.
Readers seeking in-depth discussion of uncertainties in the case, or Leopold’s psychology will be disappointed. Many aspects, including pinpointing Loeb’s sexuality and the issue of which boy physically attacked Bobby Franks, have been hotly debated for almost 100 years. Rebain quietly makes those hard calls for us, inserting his (probably correct) choices seamlessly into the narrative. Unfortunately, a casual reader might miss the ambiguity of the historical record.
In addition, the historical record is clear that Leopold was emotionally, sexually, and physically abused as a young child and may have subsequently suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result. It is also clear that, as a gay male in the 1900s, Leopold was faced with the sort of continual, systemic discrimination that almost always has a pervasive, negative impact on an individual’s mental health, relationships, philosophy of life, and sense of self-worth. Lastly, Leopold, by virtue of his intelligence, was not a neuro-typical person. For those of us familiar with the spectrum between Attention Deficit Disorder and Autism, character traits like Leopold’s love of categorization, impaired empathy, continual professional migration, and yes, his defiance of authority, indicate that maybe he was neuro-divergent in other ways as well.
Yet Leopold is given no quarter in the narrative, and there is a thread of distaste for him that runs throughout. Distaste for his participation in an adolescent’s murder when he himself was underage is more than understandable. But the analysis that Leopold shamelessly exploited his “fans”, his wife, and his lovers ignores the grim reality that some - if not all of them - were shamelessly exploiting him right back.
In the end, Rebain’s confidence in his assessments of debatable material, and his refusal to be a Leopold or Loeb apologist does not detract from the book. He owns the story, and he tells it with a compelling voice.
The book is, in essence, a lean, well-told biography of Leopold’s entire life. Who Leopold was as a person has not been nearly as important to our society as the personal and social issue sandbox his case provided for us. Rebain’s in-depth portrait fills a void that was vacant for far too long.
December 4, 2022
The most valuable aspect of this book is the new archival research brought to light by Erik Rebain about Nathan Leopold’s thoughts, feelings, and actions in later life. There is so much newly revealed that has been too long overlooked. *Arrested Adolescence* provides a satisfying ending to the tale of Leopold’s infamy.
On the writing itself, this book is satisfyingly full of information, with every sentence built on facts. And yet it isn’t an overly dense read. Rebain has included true-to-life tactile details that give the book a sense of scene and story — observations from both inner and outer circles, what people held, and the sensory experience of being on trains, on trial, serving time, and on parole.
Well-written, well-sourced, and a much-appreciated addition to the greater Leopold and Loeb canon. Great for beginners interested in the case, and full of previously unpublished details like letters, photographs, and a full understanding of Leopold’s long adulthood in and out of prison.
On the writing itself, this book is satisfyingly full of information, with every sentence built on facts. And yet it isn’t an overly dense read. Rebain has included true-to-life tactile details that give the book a sense of scene and story — observations from both inner and outer circles, what people held, and the sensory experience of being on trains, on trial, serving time, and on parole.
Well-written, well-sourced, and a much-appreciated addition to the greater Leopold and Loeb canon. Great for beginners interested in the case, and full of previously unpublished details like letters, photographs, and a full understanding of Leopold’s long adulthood in and out of prison.
March 25, 2023
Arrested Adolescence by Erik Rebain is the story of how Nathan Leopold got away with it. Of course, Leopold of the notorious Leopold and Loeb murder case did go to jail. However, his life after jail is very often treated as a footnote in the numerous books which almost exclusively focus on the murder of Bobby Franks. I am not someone who has dived completely into the case and has read only a couple of books on the subject. Leopold and Loeb are a cottage industry of true crime, but Rebain forges a new path by putting the spotlight on just Leopold. The result is a well-written and infuriating look at a man who never reformed, just merely changed the way he ruined people's lives.
The book is really in three main parts. The first is Leopold's childhood and the murder of Franks. I don't think there is much new territory for anyone to cover here. The real revelations begin in the second part which focuses entirely on Leopold's incarceration. I found this section to be at least partially enlightening as Rebain shows the manipulative and parasitic side of Leopold. Often, the incarceration story ends with the murder of Loeb. Here, Rebain continues to the third part which is the post jail life of Leopold. This section is an enraging revelation as Leopold is shown to have never changed. He is still using people, only caring for himself, but becomes much better at self-promotion. It is a must read for true crime buffs and a a welcome addition to the Leopold and Loeb anthology.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Rowman & Littlefield.)
The book is really in three main parts. The first is Leopold's childhood and the murder of Franks. I don't think there is much new territory for anyone to cover here. The real revelations begin in the second part which focuses entirely on Leopold's incarceration. I found this section to be at least partially enlightening as Rebain shows the manipulative and parasitic side of Leopold. Often, the incarceration story ends with the murder of Loeb. Here, Rebain continues to the third part which is the post jail life of Leopold. This section is an enraging revelation as Leopold is shown to have never changed. He is still using people, only caring for himself, but becomes much better at self-promotion. It is a must read for true crime buffs and a a welcome addition to the Leopold and Loeb anthology.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Rowman & Littlefield.)
August 21, 2023
"I am what they call an individual hedonist, a fellow who believes that his own pleasure is the only good in the world."-Nathan Leopold.
I don't think I've ever read a more encompassing quote in my entire life. And what is so fearsome is that he wrote this less than a year before he died. Pure evil has no age, no boundaries, only predilections. When I first read this quote my reaction was absolutely bone chilling because of when he expressed this emotion. There was no rehabilitation, no repentance, just a classic example of hedonism at its pinnacle.
I don't think I've ever read a more encompassing quote in my entire life. And what is so fearsome is that he wrote this less than a year before he died. Pure evil has no age, no boundaries, only predilections. When I first read this quote my reaction was absolutely bone chilling because of when he expressed this emotion. There was no rehabilitation, no repentance, just a classic example of hedonism at its pinnacle.
August 11, 2023
Thanks to the publisher and author for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. I have always been fascinated by this “crime of the century “, as a true crime of the century. I am a terrible speller and I know the French term I want to use to describe these two, but I will butcher it so I’m just going to say toxic, they were a toxic couple. And of course who else could have ever felt more confident to defend these two but Darrow? I am totally enthralled by Darrow and the cases he took. I won’t discuss those here, I think Leopoldo and Loeb truly did think they were invincible at a time in history when drugs or guns weren’t even necessary to commit grievous acts. It just goes to show there is no such thing as A PERFECT MURDER! And if anyone thought there was it was certainly these two. Too intelligent with too much money and too much time on their hands. The case was laid out very well, and the author did a good job of debunking myths. I think that is so important in a murder investigation. Also this case proves that sometimes simple gumshoe tactics are all that are needed to solve a murder case. I hate saying I really enjoyed reading this book, but it was put together very well. From what I know of the case nothing was missed, and more was discovered. Definitely impressive!
January 13, 2023
With his new book, Arrested Adolescence, Erik Rebain provides an efficient road map in for beginning researchers, and a succinct overview for “one and done” readers looking for the “best book” to read about the Leopold and Loeb case.
I was pleased to receive an ARC copy from NetGalley, and I thank them for the opportunity to read and review Arrested Adolescence before its release.
For students and aficionados of the case, Rebain’s book is a welcome addition that explores in depth the (previously obscure) final years of Nathan Leopold’s life.
The book starts out with a peek at this period - a quiet vignette of Leopold taking in the opera years after his parole. It is immediately clear that Rebain is masterful when it comes to pulling forth anecdotes that bring both boys to life for a modern audience. He summarizes his interpretation of their relationship in one sentence. Since this interpretation aligns with my own, I am in absolute awe of his ability to neatly condense what would take me pages of text to explain.
Readers seeking in-depth discussion of uncertainties in the case, or Leopold’s psychology will be disappointed. Many aspects, including pinpointing Loeb’s sexuality and the issue of which boy physically attacked Bobby Franks, have been hotly debated for almost 100 years. Rebain quietly makes those hard calls for us, inserting his (probably correct) choices seamlessly into the narrative. Unfortunately, a casual reader might miss the ambiguity of the historical record.
In addition, the historical record is clear that Leopold was emotionally, sexually, and physically abused as a young child and may have subsequently suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result. It is also clear that, as a gay male in the 1900s, Leopold was faced with the sort of continual, systemic discrimination that almost always has a pervasive, negative impact on an individual’s mental health, relationships, philosophy of life, and sense of self-worth. Lastly, Leopold, by virtue of his intelligence, was not a neuro-typical person. For those of us familiar with the spectrum between Attention Deficit Disorder and Autism, character traits like Leopold’s love of categorization, impaired empathy, continual professional migration, and yes, his defiance of authority, indicate that maybe he was neuro-divergent in other ways as well.
Yet Leopold is given no quarter in the narrative, and there is a thread of distaste for him that runs throughout. Distaste for his participation in an adolescent’s murder when he himself was underage is more than understandable. But the analysis that Leopold shamelessly exploited his “fans”, his wife, and his lovers ignores the grim reality that some - if not all of them - were shamelessly exploiting him right back.
In the end, Rebain’s confidence in his assessments of debatable material, and his refusal to be a Leopold or Loeb apologist does not detract from the book. He owns the story, and he tells it with a compelling voice.
The book is, in essence, a lean, well-told biography of Leopold’s entire life. Who Leopold was as a person has not been nearly as important to our society as the personal and social issue sandbox his case provided for us. Rebain’s in-depth portrait fills a void that was vacant for far too long.
I was pleased to receive an ARC copy from NetGalley, and I thank them for the opportunity to read and review Arrested Adolescence before its release.
For students and aficionados of the case, Rebain’s book is a welcome addition that explores in depth the (previously obscure) final years of Nathan Leopold’s life.
The book starts out with a peek at this period - a quiet vignette of Leopold taking in the opera years after his parole. It is immediately clear that Rebain is masterful when it comes to pulling forth anecdotes that bring both boys to life for a modern audience. He summarizes his interpretation of their relationship in one sentence. Since this interpretation aligns with my own, I am in absolute awe of his ability to neatly condense what would take me pages of text to explain.
Readers seeking in-depth discussion of uncertainties in the case, or Leopold’s psychology will be disappointed. Many aspects, including pinpointing Loeb’s sexuality and the issue of which boy physically attacked Bobby Franks, have been hotly debated for almost 100 years. Rebain quietly makes those hard calls for us, inserting his (probably correct) choices seamlessly into the narrative. Unfortunately, a casual reader might miss the ambiguity of the historical record.
In addition, the historical record is clear that Leopold was emotionally, sexually, and physically abused as a young child and may have subsequently suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result. It is also clear that, as a gay male in the 1900s, Leopold was faced with the sort of continual, systemic discrimination that almost always has a pervasive, negative impact on an individual’s mental health, relationships, philosophy of life, and sense of self-worth. Lastly, Leopold, by virtue of his intelligence, was not a neuro-typical person. For those of us familiar with the spectrum between Attention Deficit Disorder and Autism, character traits like Leopold’s love of categorization, impaired empathy, continual professional migration, and yes, his defiance of authority, indicate that maybe he was neuro-divergent in other ways as well.
Yet Leopold is given no quarter in the narrative, and there is a thread of distaste for him that runs throughout. Distaste for his participation in an adolescent’s murder when he himself was underage is more than understandable. But the analysis that Leopold shamelessly exploited his “fans”, his wife, and his lovers ignores the grim reality that some - if not all of them - were shamelessly exploiting him right back.
In the end, Rebain’s confidence in his assessments of debatable material, and his refusal to be a Leopold or Loeb apologist does not detract from the book. He owns the story, and he tells it with a compelling voice.
The book is, in essence, a lean, well-told biography of Leopold’s entire life. Who Leopold was as a person has not been nearly as important to our society as the personal and social issue sandbox his case provided for us. Rebain’s in-depth portrait fills a void that was vacant for far too long.
March 5, 2023
I’d heard the term “Leopold & Loeb” before but didn’t understand what it meant or where it had originated from. So I went into this book with no knowledge of their personalities, the crime, or the outcome of their lives. The author has spent seven years researching the life of Nathan Leopold and it shows from the outset of the book. The book provides the complete life of this man down to even some of the most mundane details. It’s an incredibly well put together look of everything and everyone that formed this person from birth to death. Leopold is complex and the author does well to explain him.
Leopold & Loeb were two extremely intelligent boys born to upper class families who both entered college at 15. While their personalities seemed to clash in the beginning they found solace in each other due to their peers being so much older. They found a give and take with each other and enjoyed pushing the boundaries against the perceptions people had of them prior to the crime coming to light. The book details their friendship and it’s idiosyncrasies.
I enjoyed the psychiatry insights on why the boys behaved a specific way shedding light on their motivations. The author’s description of how the police came to first suspect them, how neighbors were vouching for them and then how the police received their convictions was filled with anxiety as all the dots connected. Despite the crime having occurred so long ago, the author does an incredible job of placing you in the moment. I also enjoyed reading about how Leopold found purpose in prison and the way he gave back to society not necessarily as penance as much as self preservation.
The author has provided what seems to be Leopoldo’s complete life and incredible insight into his motivations and compulsions. While Leopold did incredible things for society and his friends/acquaintances he was still involved in a terrible crime and not everything he did was for redemption if he was benefitting from his actions. The book is worth reading because the author doesn’t try to redeem Leopold, or make him all bad or all good; he presents him exactly as he was. Ultimately despite trying to “redeem” himself, it’s revealed he never changed and he lived by the same philosophy throughout his life. It was a refreshing read and I think it would make great discussion in a book club.
Thank you to Rowman & Littlefield for this ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Leopold & Loeb were two extremely intelligent boys born to upper class families who both entered college at 15. While their personalities seemed to clash in the beginning they found solace in each other due to their peers being so much older. They found a give and take with each other and enjoyed pushing the boundaries against the perceptions people had of them prior to the crime coming to light. The book details their friendship and it’s idiosyncrasies.
I enjoyed the psychiatry insights on why the boys behaved a specific way shedding light on their motivations. The author’s description of how the police came to first suspect them, how neighbors were vouching for them and then how the police received their convictions was filled with anxiety as all the dots connected. Despite the crime having occurred so long ago, the author does an incredible job of placing you in the moment. I also enjoyed reading about how Leopold found purpose in prison and the way he gave back to society not necessarily as penance as much as self preservation.
The author has provided what seems to be Leopoldo’s complete life and incredible insight into his motivations and compulsions. While Leopold did incredible things for society and his friends/acquaintances he was still involved in a terrible crime and not everything he did was for redemption if he was benefitting from his actions. The book is worth reading because the author doesn’t try to redeem Leopold, or make him all bad or all good; he presents him exactly as he was. Ultimately despite trying to “redeem” himself, it’s revealed he never changed and he lived by the same philosophy throughout his life. It was a refreshing read and I think it would make great discussion in a book club.
Thank you to Rowman & Littlefield for this ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 18, 2023
I went into the book knowing very little about the Leopold and Loeb case or the men for that matter. I had heard of the 1924 murder committed for no apparent reason except that the boys wanted to know what it was like to murder someone and whether or not they could get away with it. But beyond that I knew nothing else. This book does not hold back on the events that led to the murder or afterwards and Leopold’s life both in prison and out.
Although the story was interesting, I did find the narrative a bit dry and at times long winded. I was fascinated by the way the cops caught the two boys after the murder and was appalled at the conditions in the prison they were sent to. It is surprising that Leopold was able to survive. He was able to do some ‘good’ work while in prison, such as starting a school for the prisoners and helping with medical research, but it was only so that he could gain privileges for himself. His work in prison reform was also interesting, but again he only saw it as a way to promote himself in the eyes of the public.
Nathan Leopold’s life was an interesting one and the author does not hold back on the good or the bad aspects of it. This is an honest account of everything Leopold did and accomplished. The author has done a meticulous job with his research and it shows. Even some of the most mundane details were told. But it all comes down to whether or not Leopold was rehabilitated and I have to agree with the author that he most definitely was not. He lived his life the way he wanted, and for the most part didn’t care if others were hurt by his actions. He cared for no one but himself, although he presented a much different persona to the world and was able to charm many people into thinking otherwise.
This is a biography with a lot to discuss and think about. I highly recommend it to those familiar with the case and even to those whose only interest is in true crime. It is a fascinating look at a very interesting life.
https://elnadesbookchat.com
Although the story was interesting, I did find the narrative a bit dry and at times long winded. I was fascinated by the way the cops caught the two boys after the murder and was appalled at the conditions in the prison they were sent to. It is surprising that Leopold was able to survive. He was able to do some ‘good’ work while in prison, such as starting a school for the prisoners and helping with medical research, but it was only so that he could gain privileges for himself. His work in prison reform was also interesting, but again he only saw it as a way to promote himself in the eyes of the public.
Nathan Leopold’s life was an interesting one and the author does not hold back on the good or the bad aspects of it. This is an honest account of everything Leopold did and accomplished. The author has done a meticulous job with his research and it shows. Even some of the most mundane details were told. But it all comes down to whether or not Leopold was rehabilitated and I have to agree with the author that he most definitely was not. He lived his life the way he wanted, and for the most part didn’t care if others were hurt by his actions. He cared for no one but himself, although he presented a much different persona to the world and was able to charm many people into thinking otherwise.
This is a biography with a lot to discuss and think about. I highly recommend it to those familiar with the case and even to those whose only interest is in true crime. It is a fascinating look at a very interesting life.
https://elnadesbookchat.com
June 8, 2023
Princess Fuzzypants here: For almost 100 years the crimes of teenagers Leopold and Loeb have fascinated the public. Why two wealthy, very intelligent boys would murder Bobby Franks has grabbed the interest of so many who have tried to understand the motivation. Certainly the last 100 years has harvested more than its share of perverted and vicious crimes. Sentenced to life, Loeb would die in a prison attack long before there was any hope of parole. He had been the leader of the two as Leopold almost worshiped him and would have followed him anywhere. Before his death, the two had started on a path to try and rehabilitate their reputations. That some real good was done is undeniable. However, in light of Leopold’s life after Loeb’s death to his own, the reader has to wonder how much was fact and how much was fiction.
Loeb knew instinctively how to “play the room”. His social skills were a wonder to Leopold who was and would always be an odd fish. But his legacy would be the understanding he imparted to Leopold that if he had any hope of a life after prison, he would need to reinvent his story. And this he did. He was a philanthropist, a mentor, someone who participated in worthy projects and works who was the epitome of rehabilitation. He accomplished this while still committing the same hedonistic activities with no sense of regret or remorse. He successfully led a double life at a time when revelation of his foibles would have brought ruin to him.
What is perhaps most interesting in reading the book is the impact that he made in the public perception of prisons, punishment and rehabilitation. Whilst he was the shining example of how someone can change who they are fundamentally, it proved to be his greatest con.
His life and legacy is a dichotomy. It makes a compelling tale. Four purrs and two paws up.
Loeb knew instinctively how to “play the room”. His social skills were a wonder to Leopold who was and would always be an odd fish. But his legacy would be the understanding he imparted to Leopold that if he had any hope of a life after prison, he would need to reinvent his story. And this he did. He was a philanthropist, a mentor, someone who participated in worthy projects and works who was the epitome of rehabilitation. He accomplished this while still committing the same hedonistic activities with no sense of regret or remorse. He successfully led a double life at a time when revelation of his foibles would have brought ruin to him.
What is perhaps most interesting in reading the book is the impact that he made in the public perception of prisons, punishment and rehabilitation. Whilst he was the shining example of how someone can change who they are fundamentally, it proved to be his greatest con.
His life and legacy is a dichotomy. It makes a compelling tale. Four purrs and two paws up.
March 29, 2023
While I found the first half of this book to be fascinating, I could have done without the long and detailed descriptions that extended the second half longer than it needed to be. As a true crime junkie, the Leopold & Loeb case has always fascinated me. Why would two, affluent young men seemingly kill a child and stuff his body in a drainage pipe for no reason?
Spoiler Alert!
There were reasons. Reasons no moral and sane person would understand, but reasons nonetheless. The author did a great job of getting into the minds of both Nathan Leopold and his partner in crime, Richard Loeb. And although this is a book about Leopold, there is a fair amount of information about Loeb as well. Like the author, I had a difficult time deciding which of these two men was the impetus for the heinous crime they committed. Had Loeb not been murdered in prison, perhaps there would have been an opportunity for others to determine that in greater detail.
The second half of the book was filled with the morally abhorrent behaviors and goings-on of Leopold. He truly was a monster and while he is long since dead, the crime he committed along with his friend and lover, Loeb still draws readers to want to know more. This is a great book for doing that.
I would have given this book fewer stars simply for the character of Nathan Leopold, if I was rating him as a person. However, this book is well written and gives those interested in the case and even deeper look into the life of someone who should have never been released from prison.
I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley.
Spoiler Alert!
There were reasons. Reasons no moral and sane person would understand, but reasons nonetheless. The author did a great job of getting into the minds of both Nathan Leopold and his partner in crime, Richard Loeb. And although this is a book about Leopold, there is a fair amount of information about Loeb as well. Like the author, I had a difficult time deciding which of these two men was the impetus for the heinous crime they committed. Had Loeb not been murdered in prison, perhaps there would have been an opportunity for others to determine that in greater detail.
The second half of the book was filled with the morally abhorrent behaviors and goings-on of Leopold. He truly was a monster and while he is long since dead, the crime he committed along with his friend and lover, Loeb still draws readers to want to know more. This is a great book for doing that.
I would have given this book fewer stars simply for the character of Nathan Leopold, if I was rating him as a person. However, this book is well written and gives those interested in the case and even deeper look into the life of someone who should have never been released from prison.
I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2023
Aptly titled Arrested Adolescence by Erik Rebain is a fascinating (and infuriating!) study about the lives and minds of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb who grew up in wealthy families in Chicago in the early 1900s and when still teenagers killed Bobby Franks for the sake of killing. The main focus is on Nathan Leopold, his childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Rebain writes candidly and graphically about all aspects of Leopold from his incredible intelligence, sexuality and his arrogant personality to cold-hearted killing, criminal trial, exhibiting model prison behaviour to his life after prison.
Many questions are answered yet many remain, particularly whether Leopold was reformed in prison after taking Bobby's life in 1924. He nursed and taught in prison but good deeds do not equate to a changed heart. From author Rebain's meticulous research It seems to me he was remorseless and manipulative. After his release to rural Puerto Rico in 1971 he married and lived luxuriously, apparently gentle and philanthropic and as though Bobby's murder hadn't happened. It was especially compelling to read about Leopold's wife's views after his death. Loeb's life ended much differently.
After reading this well-researched book, my knowledge of this case has grown immensely and I have gained a much better understanding of the people involved, even though parts of the book are a bit drawn out. If true crime interests you, do read this.
My sincere thank you to Rowman & Littlefield and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this arresting book.
Many questions are answered yet many remain, particularly whether Leopold was reformed in prison after taking Bobby's life in 1924. He nursed and taught in prison but good deeds do not equate to a changed heart. From author Rebain's meticulous research It seems to me he was remorseless and manipulative. After his release to rural Puerto Rico in 1971 he married and lived luxuriously, apparently gentle and philanthropic and as though Bobby's murder hadn't happened. It was especially compelling to read about Leopold's wife's views after his death. Loeb's life ended much differently.
After reading this well-researched book, my knowledge of this case has grown immensely and I have gained a much better understanding of the people involved, even though parts of the book are a bit drawn out. If true crime interests you, do read this.
My sincere thank you to Rowman & Littlefield and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this arresting book.
July 31, 2023
Arrested Adolescence is a biography of Nathan Leopold, of Leopold & Loeb. If you do not know who Leopold & Loeb are, they were young adults who in 1924 kidnapped and killed a child, Bobby Franks, in Hyde Park Chicago. It was the crime of the century. This biography is not about that crime but about Leopold's entire life. And I do mean entire life.
If you do know anything about the crime you probably heard that Loeb was the mastermind and that he manipulated Leopold through out their relationship. During the first part of the book where Rebain focuses on Leopold's childhood through the crime, there is a feel that the victim story is true, yet he spends a lot of time during the prison years giving a different impression that the image rehabilitation story of Leopold as a victim might not be true.
The third part of the book focuses on his post prison life in Puerto Rico. If ever you have any sympathy for Leopold or buy into his version of what happened in 1924, this part will shatter that. Leopold is a disgusting human being who prays on young boys and gets away with everything.
This is a long book and is too much. Rebain writes about every event that seems to have occurred in Leopold's life. In this case, I would have been fine with broad ideas of his life and maybe one or two examples but I did not need to know about every "boy" he had in prison and every actual boy he groomed in Puerto Rico. It is not a bad biography is just needed some reducing.
If you do know anything about the crime you probably heard that Loeb was the mastermind and that he manipulated Leopold through out their relationship. During the first part of the book where Rebain focuses on Leopold's childhood through the crime, there is a feel that the victim story is true, yet he spends a lot of time during the prison years giving a different impression that the image rehabilitation story of Leopold as a victim might not be true.
The third part of the book focuses on his post prison life in Puerto Rico. If ever you have any sympathy for Leopold or buy into his version of what happened in 1924, this part will shatter that. Leopold is a disgusting human being who prays on young boys and gets away with everything.
This is a long book and is too much. Rebain writes about every event that seems to have occurred in Leopold's life. In this case, I would have been fine with broad ideas of his life and maybe one or two examples but I did not need to know about every "boy" he had in prison and every actual boy he groomed in Puerto Rico. It is not a bad biography is just needed some reducing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2024
Audiobook: Everything I knew about Leopold and Loeb I learned from a show on the History channel I saw a couple of decades ago, as a kid. I now know that was a very tidy, clean version of events. The majority of the book focuses on what happened AFTER the trial. This book doesn’t hold back on what Mr. Leopold was up to… The story was very engaging and easy to follow. Highly recommend.
One complaint that is also a compliment: Whenever the narrator spoke in Leopold’s voice, it sounded like he was either making fun of him, or imitating a voice that was probably insufferable in real life. Either way, it was very entertaining. (I’ve gotta look up what Leopold’s voice sounded like!)
One complaint that is also a compliment: Whenever the narrator spoke in Leopold’s voice, it sounded like he was either making fun of him, or imitating a voice that was probably insufferable in real life. Either way, it was very entertaining. (I’ve gotta look up what Leopold’s voice sounded like!)
August 30, 2023
The murder trial of Leopold was something else - but afterward, he became a changed person. There was a presence that he had in prison, and he worked hard to keep a clean image behind bars. Many said it was not sincere, but there were some that said it was.
Interesting read. This case was a hard one, but the author lays everything out well. Great true crime for those that are interested in the genre.
Interesting read. This case was a hard one, but the author lays everything out well. Great true crime for those that are interested in the genre.
December 7, 2022
3.5 stars. A little too slow moving for me. I really need an engaging story for me to enjoy a non-fiction book.
April 16, 2023
As a true crime reader I found this book to be the best that I have read on the life of Nathan Leopold. Highly recommend.
December 30, 2023
Great read, I've been interested in this case for awhile now.
April 13, 2024
There are better books about this heinous crime. Don't bother with this one.
May 11, 2024
Page turner
This story was very fascinating. One that I found hard to put down. It makes a person think about the world and what ifs that no one can answer. What if being gay was normal. Would they have murdered or just had their relationship. I feel devastating things happen when we hide our true selves. You can't live in the dark indefinitely without someone finding out the dirty little secrets.
This story was very fascinating. One that I found hard to put down. It makes a person think about the world and what ifs that no one can answer. What if being gay was normal. Would they have murdered or just had their relationship. I feel devastating things happen when we hide our true selves. You can't live in the dark indefinitely without someone finding out the dirty little secrets.
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