A worthwhile read

[RS]

I found this to be a well-researched, engrossing book about Ethel Rosenberg, who was undoubtedly innocent of the crime (espionage) for which she was executed, and for which no evidence was ever found. Ms. Sebba presents a thorough history of Ethel's tragic life: from a poor childhood with an unloving mother, to a marriage with Julius Rosenberg-- a man she deeply loved, who was guilty of passing on secrets to Russian spies, but whose faults Ethel could not see (or, perhaps, was not aware of, although this is not likely). Finally, she shows Ethel's brother and sister-in-law lying under pressure to protect themselves, but their evidence sends Ethel to the electric chair.

I do have some qualms about the book. Almost all main characters are Jews, yet some of the "villains", i.e., the prosecutors and judges in the court case, are described in almost Nazi-esque caricature. While Julius Rosenberg is described as handsome, the chief prosecutor, Irving Saypol, has "thick lips and a jutting chin". Roy Cohn, chief assistant prosecutor (now known for his subsequent notoriety) "looked menacing in court, with slicked-back hair, sunken eyes, and a fleshy nose with a mysterious scar down the center... his mother, Dora, was so obsessed with her only son that she had arranged a nose "improvement" job for him when young that left him permanently disfigured." Granted, Manny Bloch (the Rosenbergs' main attorney, with his father) does have grey, thinning hair and a "deadly earnest pallor", but he isn't shown as being the negative stereotype of Jews that the prosecutors are. It would have been better for the author to leave out such descriptions, which have always been fodder for anti-Semites. After all, there are photos in the book, and readers don't need such hate-feeding language.

I had factual questions, too. In Chapter 10, it is stated that the execution took place on Friday, June 19. The next paragraph states, "The funeral took place... on Wednesday, June 21." If it's two days later than the execution, that would have been on a Sunday. Then, the following page states that the burial took place on June 23 "after the eulogies". It seems that the Rosenbergs would have been buried the same day as the funeral. Something is wrong with this chronology.

Finally, if "the Rosenbergs [were to be] buried... in accordance with Jewish ritual and rabbinic law", there is no chance their bodies would be available for viewing in open coffins, as is described in the book. This is strictly in violation of Jewish principles, wherein only immediate family members may visit the dead to pay final respects before caskets are closed. I was horrified to read this. Anyone is welcome find out about the rituals involved in Jewish burials, but this clearly violates our beliefs.

Overall, this is a book that is well worth reading for those interested in more insight into Ethel Rosenberg's life, and the lives of those around her.