Who Killed Jane Stanford?: A Gilded Age Tale of Murder, Deceit, Spirits and the Birth of a University

Name: Who Killed Jane Stanford?: A Gilded Age Tale of Murder, Deceit, Spirits and the Birth of a University
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3.7 of 5 Stars: United States - Who Killed Jane Stanford?: A Gilded Age Tale of Murder, Deceit, Spirits and the Birth of a University

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Book Synopsis: A New Yorker Best Book of 2022 • A New York Times Best True Crime of 2022 • A Los Angeles Times Best Nonfiction Book of 2022 A premier historian penetrates the fog of corruption and cover-up still surrounding the murder of a Stanford University founder to establish who did it, how, and why. In 1885 Jane and Leland Stanford cofounded a university to honor their recently deceased young son. After her husband’s death in 1893, Jane Stanford, a devoted spiritualist who expected the university to inculcate her values, steered Stanford into eccentricity and public controversy for more than a decade. In 1905 she was murdered in Hawaii, a victim, according to the Honolulu coroner’s jury, of strychnine poisoning. With her vast fortune the university’s lifeline, the Stanford president and his allies quickly sought to foreclose challenges to her bequests by constructing a story of death by natural causes. The cover-up gained traction in the murky labyrinths of power, wealth, and corruption of Gilded Age San Francisco. The murderer walked. Deftly sifting the scattered evidence and conflicting stories of suspects and witnesses, Richard White gives us the first full account of Jane Stanford’s murder and its cover-up. Against a backdrop of the city’s machine politics, rogue policing, tong wars, and heated newspaper rivalries, White’s search for the murderer draws us into Jane Stanford’s imperious household and the academic enmities of the university. Although Stanford officials claimed that no one could have wanted to murder Jane, we meet several people who had the motives and the opportunity to do so. One of these, we discover, also had the means. 8 pages of illustrations Read more

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Step into the captivating world of mystery and intrigue with "Who Killed Jane Stanford?: A Gilded Age Tale of Murder, Deceit, Spirits and the Birth of a University." Named a New Yorker Best Book of 2022, a New York Times Best True Crime of 2022, and a Los Angeles Times Best Nonfiction Book of 2022, this gripping page-turner will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Uncover the shocking truth behind the murder of Jane Stanford, the co-founder of Stanford University. In 1905, Jane Stanford was tragically killed in Hawaii, according to the Honolulu coroner's jury, by strychnine poisoning. However, the Stanford president and his allies quickly orchestrated a cover-up, concocting a story of death by natural causes to safeguard the university's fortunes.

Renowned historian Richard White delves into the dark underbelly of Gilded Age San Francisco, exposing the webs of corruption, power, and wealth that allowed the murderer to walk free. With painstaking research, White pieces together the scattered evidence and conflicting stories, leading us through the treacherous world of machine politics, tong wars, and newspaper rivalries.

As you delve deeper into the narrative, you'll encounter a cast of intriguing characters, each with their own motives and opportunities to commit the heinous crime. No stone is left unturned as White uncovers the truth, shattering the fabricated story upheld by those in power. With 8 pages of illustrations bringing the era to life, prepare to be immersed in a gripping tale of murder, deceit, and the birth of a university.

Unravel the secrets surrounding Jane Stanford's murder today and experience the thrill of discovery. Don't miss out on this captivating true crime masterpiece!

Get your copy of "Who Killed Jane Stanford?: A Gilded Age Tale of Murder, Deceit, Spirits and the Birth of a University" now!

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