Crimes of the Century

by Richard B. Spence

5 hours and 35 minutes

The Zodiac Killer. The Son of Sam. The Lindbergh kidnapping. Over the past century, certain crimes have captured the imagination of the public, dominating the front pages of newspapers and inspiring armchair investigators for generations. At the heart of these “crimes of the century” is often a burning question: Who did it? Or, if the culprit is known, what was the motivation?

Crime is perennially appealing because it takes us into the dark recesses of the human psyche. Murder forces us to confront our own mortality, and it raises unanswerable questions about human nature, the social contract, and how well we truly know even those closest to us. From a serial killer’s decades-long crime spree to a conspiracy to commit political assassination, murder elicits mystery - and most of us cannot turn away.

Delve into some of the most infamous, ghastly, and mysterious crimes of the last hundred-odd years in Crimes of the Century: A Selective History of Infamy. Taught by Professor Richard B. Spence of the University of Idaho, this enthralling course gives you a dozen case studies of murders most foul. From an intriguing Irish domestic murder to a world-shaking political assassination, this course gives you an inside look at some of the most heinous and maddeningly unknowable crimes in modern history.

Contemporary tabloids may have offered salacious details as the crimes were unfurling, but today we have the beauty of hindsight to analyze the crimes. While many of them remain as mysterious as when they occurred, the historian’s view allows us to situate the homicides in their time and place and can give us insight into both the particulars of the era as well as something universal about human nature.

Whether you are a die-hard true-crime fan, or just interested in compelling stories about gruesome events, Crimes of the Century: A Selective History of Infamy will open your eyes to the dark side of history...and humanity.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Audiobook, History, Crime, Mystery, Education

6 pages, Audible Audio

Published June 18, 2021

About the author

Dr. Richard “Rick” Spence received his PhD in History from the University of California Santa Barbara in 1981. He has taught at the University of Idaho since 1986 where currently he is a tenured full Professor of History. He specializes in Russian, intelligence and military history, and his course offerings include Modern Espionage, Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust, History of Secret Societies and the Occult in History.

Dr. Spence’s published works include Boris Savinkov: Renegade on the Left (East European Monographs/Columbia Univ. Press, 1991), Trust No One: The Secret World of Sidney Reilly (Feral House, 2002) and Secret Agent 666: Aleister Crowley, British Intelligence and the Occult (Feral House, 2008). He is also the author of numerous articles in Revolutionary Russia, Intelligence and National Security, International Journal of Intelligence and CounterIntelligence, The Historian, New Dawn and other publications. He has served as a commentator/consultant for the History Channel and the International Spy Museum and was a key consultant-interviewee for the Russian Cultural Foundation’s 2007 documentary film, “Leon Trotsky: The Secret of World Revolution,” and its subsequent “Trap for the Tsar.”

Reviews

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are a true crime fan, I mean like truly but not necessarily die hard, you will recognize all of the stories in this book. I listened to it as long as I did because I needed background noise.

[Peter Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crimes of the Century by The Great Courses

I liked this so much that I've given it as a gift to several crime aficionados (with the hope of hooking them on history.)

This covers various murders that were dubbed "THE Crime of the Century" during the 20th century. Many are forgotten today. Many are misunderstood. The professor - Richard B. Spence - does a great job of correcting both phenomena.

The lectures start with the unsolved murder of a film producer, who apparently skipped out on his family in New York to start a new life in Hollywood. The professor presents the background, the players, and a possible solution in an interesting and coherent manner. Although a history lecture about a grisly topic, the narration is captivating. It's at least as good as the best documentary, although lasting only 30 minutes.

I was surprised at how much I did not know about the Manson murders, the Son of Sam, and the assassination of Leon Trotsky.

What fascinates me about historical murder is how they introduce us to history at ground level. We are not talking about the lives of the rich and influential in many of these cases. Even when we are, the forgotten people of history play important roles. It is a way of seeing "the other side of history" in one of those rare moments when the spotlight shifts for a moment to the life of real people living their real ives.

I recommend this series without reservation.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize that I could access Great Courses audiobooks through the library until I went on a late-night scroll on Libby, trying to find my next book. Having enjoyed their material before, I started with this one, and I enjoyed it, though I wasn't blown away.

The book focuses on a dozen different murders from the 18th-21st centuries. Each chapter describes the murder, its historical context, and offers some form of analysis. Sometimes the analysis is about why a certain crime became as infamous as it did, sometimes it is about possible perpetrators for unsolved crimes, sometimes it is about what that crime reveals about a certain idea or theme. I think the best chapters were those which specifically considered the crime and its historical context. My favorites related to the murder of Leon Trotsky (which I knew nothing about, other than that he was killed with ice pick), the murder of Bridget Cleary, the Papin Sisters, and the Romanov assassinations. Each helped me learn about more than just the murder, which I appreciated.

Overall, an informative set of lectures that didn't blow me away but were both entertaining and educational. I would recommend this to my Mom or sister if either of them liked audiobooks.

[Becka Nash · Rating 2 out of 5]

Each Great Courses audio series begins with the statement/promise that:
"The Great Courses cover a broad array of university level disciplines... in the best college class rooms in the world...the lecturers are university professors carefully selected... for intellectual distinction and teaching excellence."

However, this one didn't rise to this level. This was more of an example of the based level of "true crime". Of the crimes discussed, a large portion were unsolved and so he told us who he thought did the crime and why. It felt a bit more of an excuse for self aggrandizement rather than a university level discourse on history, criminology or social science.

I expected the discussions to include the historical and/or social ramifications/implications of these "crimes of the century" but, no such discussion took place. To some extent even the selection of the specific crimes discussed were questionable. It seemed like the crimes were selected not for their actual significance in any meaningful sense but merely how much tabloid fodder they generated at the time and their relative infamy to this day.

I'm sorry if this is coming across as over harsh, but as I have quite a strong interest in history, criminology and social science - but, little to no interest in tabloid true crime. This was quite a disappointment and definitely didn't rise to the level of an "university level" course in one of "the best college" classes taught by an instructor of "intellectual distinction and teaching excellence."

[Matthew Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second series by Dr. Spence I’ve listened to and was equally “eh” about both of them. I’m not a huge fan of how the lecturer seems to favor ‘occult’ interpretations of these real world crimes though I understand how his special interest in the spiritual contributed to this.

All 12 cases discussed (by virtue of the press declaring them “crimes of the century”) are widely known and - for most people interested enough in the subject to listen to a lecture series on it - not discussed enough to prove novel information to the listener.

Not a bad course but I didn’t walk away feeling like I learned anything.

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not my cup of tea mostly because there was no real analysis of crimes... simply the recitation of the crime facts as they are known and then some educated guesses as to who did them. But I don't know the professor. I have no idea on what his thinking is based. I am trusting that he is right and presenting the facts correctly, but I don't know for sure if he is correct.

In the end it was a grisly business hearing about the details of these vicious murders. I didn't like it. I doubt I will listen again.

[Lexi Sølvhammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well written book that I didn’t want to pause. The narration is excellent and comfortable listening to.

Besides the above the author takes us through different cases across the world. The cases are covered in short form however enough to catch your attention trough out the entire book.

I have done a lot of case studies therefore it impressed me even more how the author could give information on cases I hadn’t seen before.

Definitely a must read for all true crime enthusiasts.

*This review has been published on different platforms

[Abdul Alhazred · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's basically a true crime podcast. Which is fine, but not a "Great Course". You get the outline of the murder in a narrative, with the basic facts and some theories including the author's own hot takes.
Despite being a recent production it leans heavily into entertaining the occult/satanic nonsense popular in the 70s and 80s.

You could have built a real history course around the most significant crimes described; the Trotsky murder and and Franz Ferdinand episodes were standouts and could have been filled out with background and reverberations for an entire set of lectures.

[Steve Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

In his second d or third story Spence recounts the Serbian conspiracy to kill Arch Duke Ferdinand of Austria. He weaves a narrative so complex and confusing I couldn’t make it out. It would’ve been difficult to understand on the printed page.

In another narrative he states that film star “Fatty” Arbuckle’s ex-wife was shot after she testified in court. She was shot AT, not hit. Big difference.

[Oliver Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only 12 lectures, but the crimes are well chosen (especially given Spence’s academic pedigree — the murders of Trotsky and Franz Ferdinand are particularly well done) and laden with inconclusive details, interesting speculation, etc. Hardly the stuff of greatness, but given Spence’s impressive radio voice, it’s an enjoyable and brisk commute accompaniment at 2.35x speed.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in the series of lectures from the Great Courses. I especially enjoy learing from Unviersity professors. This was educational and enjoyable. Looking forward to by next course.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of true crime you'll probably already be familiar with most of the cases presented in this. It is also, as it says, selective. A lot of crimes and serial killers are left out. The presenter did a fantastic job though.

[James Biser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a history lesson of a number of crimes (predominantly murders) that took place in the past century in various parts of the world. It is interesting as it is presented from the point of view of the investigators of the crimes.

[Ashley Bartlome · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not for the faint of heart. This covers crimes of the 20th century is horrific detail that made my stomach turn. Excellent story telling and examination of evidence, which made it hard to put down, but looking at the worst of humanity is hard and I can’t read this again.

[Anastasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but rather basic

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read, interesting in a more-to-the-story kind of way. I would be interested in finding more of this series.

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

A rather pedestrian telling of some noteworthy crimes Nothing about how we "package" evil ought to surprise us - what's surprising is how the lecturer makes it sound rather mundane.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great cases, but sometimes I got lost in unnecessary detail. The historian overtook the storyteller, but the listen was good overall. Definitely worth a listen!