Star Spangled Scandal: Sex, Murder, and the Trial that Changed America by Chris DeRose

 

I enjoy reading nonfiction books about American history and true crime. Last year, when I first learned about Star Spangled Scandal: Sex, Murder, and the Trial that Changed America by Chris DeRose and narrated by Traber Burns through Chirp's website, I decided to buy a copy of this audiobook based on the publisher's summary.

I had high hopes for Star Spangled Scandal: Sex, Murder, and the Trial that Changed America by Chris DeRose, but I was quickly disappointed by the audio production and the narration of this book. The narrator sounded like he was speaking in a tin can and I didn't enjoy the narrator's reading style for Star Spangled Scandal. 

I almost gave up on listening to Star Spangled Scandal several times. But I kept going as I was interested learning about this aspect of American history. However, with that being said, I tuned out routinely due to the narration and audio quality. I also thought Star Spangled Scandal wasn't that engaging in spots... Parts of Star Spangled Scandal felt a bit too sensationalistic to me and other parts were decent enough like most of the trial coverage. I may have had an overall more enjoyable experience reading this book instead of listening to it.

Below is the summary for Star Spangled Scandal: Sex, Murder, and the Trial that Changed America by Chris DeRose from Chirp:

The year is 1859 and Congressman Daniel Sickles and his beautiful wife Teresa are the toast of Washington, DC society. President James Buchanan is godfather to their daughter. Philip Barton Key, US Attorney for the District of Columbia (and the son of Francis Scott Key), is one of the couple’s closest friends—so close, in fact, that he often escorts the beautiful Mrs. Sickles to social events when the congressman is too busy.

Revelers in DC are accustomed to the sight of the congressman’s wife with the tall, Apollo-like Philip Barton Key, who is considered “the handsomest man in all Washington society … foremost among the popular men of the capital.” Then one day Congressman Daniel Sickles receives an anonymous note about his wife and Key, setting into motion a tragic course of events that culminates in a bloody confrontation in the street that leaves one man dead and the other charged with murder. This is the riveting true story of the murder and historic trial that shocked 19th century America, now brought to vivid life by historian Chris DeRose with the help of Mrs. Sickles’ writings and other primary sources.

I am giving Star Spangled Scandal: Sex, Murder, and the Trial that Changed America by Chris DeRose a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!