Edmund Lester Pearson était un bibliothécaire et auteur américain célèbre pour ses contributions au genre « true crime ». Son écriture explore les aspects les plus sombres de la nature humaine et les mystères sociétaux, disséquant méticuleusement de véritables affaires criminelles. Pearson a offert aux lecteurs un aperçu pénétrant de la psychologie des auteurs comme des victimes grâce à son approche détaillée et analytique. Son travail dans le genre « true crime » est considéré comme influent et continue d'inspirer les auteurs contemporains qui explorent des sujets similaires.
Pearson's groundbreaking study of the art and science of secret writing remains a classic of the genre. Drawing on a wide range of historical and literary sources, he provides a compelling overview of the many different methods of code and cipher creation and decoding, from ancient times to the present day. With its engaging prose and fascinating insights, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in cryptography or espionage.
History of the development of this popular form of paperback novel. With 16 illustrations. Ballade of Dime Novels by Arthur Guiterman, list of b&w illustrations, Part I. Innocent I. The Pioneer; II. The Times; III. Books and Readers of the Day; IV. Afloat and Ashore; V. Success; Vi. Beadle, the Founder; VII. Propriety Rampant; VIII. The Imitators; IX. A Personal Interlude; X. Morals, Morals; XI. Beadle's Authors. Part II. Wild Days;: I. The 1880s; II. The Old Cap. III. The Old Sleuth; IV. Broadway Billy and Jack Harkaway; V. Deadwood Dick. Part III. Old The Menace of Respectability; II. Nick Carter; III. Yale's Greatest Hero; IV. All the Manly Virtues; comments on illustrations, acknowledgments, index.