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Capital Murder: An investigative reporter’s hunt for answers in a collapsing city
Every city in America is unique. Each has its own instructive tale of success and failure. What makes Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's story most valuable lies not in its life but in its death - and in the actions of those who killed it.
In late 2011, Harrisburg became the first – and only - capital city in American history to file for bankruptcy. For four years, investigative reporter Chris Papst provided award-winning coverage of this unprecedented financial collapse. Now, he has authored a book sharing his experiences while detailing what went wrong.
ABOUT THE
Chris Papst is a multiple Emmy-award winning investigative reporter whose work has initiated changes in law and sparked criminal investigations. He currently works at ABC 7/WJLA in Washington, DC.
In late 2011, Harrisburg became the first – and only - capital city in American history to file for bankruptcy. For four years, investigative reporter Chris Papst provided award-winning coverage of this unprecedented financial collapse. Now, he has authored a book sharing his experiences while detailing what went wrong.
ABOUT THE
Chris Papst is a multiple Emmy-award winning investigative reporter whose work has initiated changes in law and sparked criminal investigations. He currently works at ABC 7/WJLA in Washington, DC.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 27, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 27, 2021
I read the hard back book. I don't remember who recommended this book to me. There is a story to tell about the problems in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in the early 2000's and prior. However, I could not get past the the terrible writing and editing. I thought perhaps the book was self-published, but that does not seem to be the case. The book was published by Sunbury Press in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania in 2015.
The author's prejudices are evident as he painstakingly describes Mayor Linda Thompson's clothing and hair and repeatedly references Thompson's own words for the evil homosexual controller. There seemed to be some factual errors. The author states that no cities have come out of Act 47. I think that this is incorrect. But, it was the grammar, usage and spelling errors that really disturbed and distracted me from the topic.
A few examples:
"roll" for role (78)
"Thomp-son" for the mayor's surname (79)
"...my nerves were for not..." (95) should be naught.
"public sector" (180) should be private sector
I am sorry that I wasted my time on this book. I would have abandoned it, but hoped to see the end of the story.
The author's prejudices are evident as he painstakingly describes Mayor Linda Thompson's clothing and hair and repeatedly references Thompson's own words for the evil homosexual controller. There seemed to be some factual errors. The author states that no cities have come out of Act 47. I think that this is incorrect. But, it was the grammar, usage and spelling errors that really disturbed and distracted me from the topic.
A few examples:
"roll" for role (78)
"Thomp-son" for the mayor's surname (79)
"...my nerves were for not..." (95) should be naught.
"public sector" (180) should be private sector
I am sorry that I wasted my time on this book. I would have abandoned it, but hoped to see the end of the story.
May 9, 2017
While it's pretty clear Papst is a TV reporter who never wrote copy for a newspaper, this book is a pretty quick read that does a decent enough job covering the basics of the collapse of Harrisburg, with a little extra detail about the city's history as well.
September 7, 2015
In the same category as "Liar's Poker" and "The Smartest Guys in the Room", this book is an investigative report of a collapsing city. It takes a multi-year journalistic approach to the historic first bankruptcy of a city in America. The author 'holds no punches' to report on the good, the bad, and the ugly of each politician involved. It is a hard take on a reality that might not be unique to this small town.
Following the burst of the housing bubble, this bankruptcy could have triggered the burst of the municipalities bubble. It exposes the protected class of government bonds, the lack of oversight, and mostly the potential dangers of leaving all this financial power in the hands of non-college-educated governments. Whether the "Major for Life" committed illegal acts remains to be judged, yet his investments -highly naive or illegal- need to serve as a caution for other municipalities throughout the nation. Good intentions do not pay the bills! Revenue streams do!
As a resident of PA, this book enlightened me on the dangers of voters' conformance and the great balance that the press provides. I recommend this read to lovers of history, current affairs and students of finance.
Following the burst of the housing bubble, this bankruptcy could have triggered the burst of the municipalities bubble. It exposes the protected class of government bonds, the lack of oversight, and mostly the potential dangers of leaving all this financial power in the hands of non-college-educated governments. Whether the "Major for Life" committed illegal acts remains to be judged, yet his investments -highly naive or illegal- need to serve as a caution for other municipalities throughout the nation. Good intentions do not pay the bills! Revenue streams do!
As a resident of PA, this book enlightened me on the dangers of voters' conformance and the great balance that the press provides. I recommend this read to lovers of history, current affairs and students of finance.
June 28, 2015
To be honest, one of the most poorly written books I have ever read, not because of a paucity of interesting subject matter, but a combination of bad writing and no evidence of editing. From misspellings, incorrect word choices and tortured syntax, to long segments of merely reprinted-without-comment source documents, and a number of factual mistakes and misunderstandings (Milt Lopus Associates is a firm. Milt Lopus is an actual, and singular, person!), the author gave me numerous moments of frustration so great, I wasn't sure I could finish. Additionally, while I was hoping this work would be about a subject shrouded in mystery in which I have a great interest - Steve Reed - it turned out to be more about (the author and) Linda Thompson, a subject about whom I've heard more than enough. I've found that print reporters don't always make the best book authors, and this apparently goes double for television journalists. I recommend one at least waits for the second edition, in the hope that it may be better edited.
December 30, 2015
Fascinating narrative
The people and events that led to Harrisburg to pretty much implode were fascinating to read about. My only complaint is that the writing style is awkward and overblown for the first third of the book before the author settles into a less tabloid and more newsy rhythm.
As for content, living in nearby Gettysburg I'd always wondered why on earth the y put a Civil War .museum in Harrisburg. Now I know.
Now I also know why Harrisburg parking is as expensive as D.C. without the benefit of free museums. Truthfully we used to visit Harrisburg frequently for the science center. Given the outrageous parking, we skip the Whitaker now and visit the science center in Hagerstown instead where the parking is cheap. Same for shopping. Downtown Harrisburg really isn't worth $20 a day in parking fees...
The people and events that led to Harrisburg to pretty much implode were fascinating to read about. My only complaint is that the writing style is awkward and overblown for the first third of the book before the author settles into a less tabloid and more newsy rhythm.
As for content, living in nearby Gettysburg I'd always wondered why on earth the y put a Civil War .museum in Harrisburg. Now I know.
Now I also know why Harrisburg parking is as expensive as D.C. without the benefit of free museums. Truthfully we used to visit Harrisburg frequently for the science center. Given the outrageous parking, we skip the Whitaker now and visit the science center in Hagerstown instead where the parking is cheap. Same for shopping. Downtown Harrisburg really isn't worth $20 a day in parking fees...
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews