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Ethel Rosenberg

The Short Life and Great Betrayal of an American Wife and Mother
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( 1,890 ratings, 468 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Ethel Rosenberg by Anne Sebba is a compelling biography that explores the life of Ethel Rosenberg, who was controversially executed for espionage in the 1950s. The book delves into her personal history, her trial, and the broader political implications, shedding light on her role as a wife, mother, and alleged spy.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might like this book if you are fascinated by Cold War history and are interested in the complex life of a woman caught in a notorious espionage case. This biography provides a gripping and empathetic account, shedding light on her personal struggles and the political climate of the era.

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Ethel Rosenberg

The tragic story of Ethel Rosenberg, the first woman in America to be sent to her death for a crime other than murder

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
"A heart-piercingly brilliant book about a woman whose personal life put her in the cross-hairs of history" HADLEY FREEMAN

"Totally riveting. I couldn't put it down" VICTORIA HISLOP

"Ethel sings out for all women who have been misunderstood and wronged, and refuse to bow down" NICHOLAS SHAKESPEARE

"A shocking tale of betrayal, naivety, misogyny and judicial failure" SONIA PURNELL

"A historic miscarriage of justice laid bare for our times" PHILIPPE SANDS

Ethel Rosenberg by Anne Sebba is an extraordinary and compelling biography that delves into the life of one of the most enigmatic figures in American history. Ethel's story is a gripping portrayal of a devoted wife and mother whose dreams of becoming an opera singer were thwarted by the harsh realities of life during the Great Depression. Through her meticulously researched narrative, Sebba paints a vivid picture of Ethel's world, from her humble beginnings to her entanglement in one of the most infamous legal battles of the Cold War era.

Ethel Rosenberg's life was forever changed on 19 June 1953, when she became the first woman in the United States to be executed for a crime other than murder, at the age of thirty-seven. Her conviction for conspiracy to commit espionage on behalf of the Soviet Union was the culmination of what FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover dubbed the "trial of the century." This high-profile case, set against the backdrop of Cold War tensions, continues to be a subject of debate and scrutiny to this day.

Sebba's biography is not just an account of a legal case; it is a deeply human story of love, betrayal, and the enduring strength of a woman who refused to surrender her ideals. Ethel Rosenberg is portrayed as a courageous idealist who stood firm in her beliefs, even in the face of overwhelming opposition and prejudice. Her tragic execution, based on questionable evidence and tainted testimonies, is a stark reminder of the potential for miscarriages of justice.

Ethel Rosenberg is a moving and thought-provoking examination of a life cut brutally short. It underscores the profound impact of political hysteria and judicial failures on personal lives. Anne Sebba's masterful work ensures that Ethel Rosenberg's story is told with the dignity and depth it deserves, shedding light on the poignant and powerful experiences of a woman who became an unwilling symbol of a turbulent era.

For readers interested in history, biography, and the complexities of justice, Ethel Rosenberg offers an unforgettable and powerful narrative that challenges our understanding of truth and morality in times of national crisis.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Anne Sebba's Ethel Rosenberg is highly praised for its masterful research and compelling storytelling. Reviewers highlight the book for its emotional depth, capturing the tragic life and unjust execution of Ethel Rosenberg. The biography is recognised for shedding new light on Rosenberg's personal history amidst Cold War hysteria, with many noting the relevance of her story in contemporary times. The poignant narrative and detailed account make it a powerful read that deeply engages and moves its audience.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781780226620

Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 23 June 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Weidenfeld & Nicolson

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 26.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 304

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About the Author

Anne Sebba is a historian and one of Britain's most distinguished biographers who began her career as a Reuters correspondent based in London and Rome. She has written eleven works of non-fiction, mostly about iconic twentieth-century women, which have been translated into several languages including French, Polish, Czech, Japanese and Chinese. She makes regular television and radio appearances and has presented two BBC radio documentaries about musicians. She is the author of the international bestseller That Woman, an acclaimed biography of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor, and the prize-winning Les Parisiennes: How the Women of Paris Lived, Loved and Died Under Nazi Occupation. Her most recent book, Ethel Rosenberg: The Short Life and Great Betrayal of an American Wife and Mother, was shortlisted for the Wingate Prize. Anne is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Historical Research and trustee of the National Archives Trust. She lives in London.

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