The Lives of Sacco & Vanzetti

By Rick Geary

Rick Geary tackles the most controversial case of the 20th century. Anarchists Sacco & Vanzetti were accused of robbery and murder but so many supposedly damning pieces of evidence were questionable their  guilty verdict elicited massive protests around the world. Geary  presents us with all the twists and turns, appeals and dubious evidence after presenting us the human face of the two men, demonized by many, turned to martyrs by many others in his usual unflappable way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: NBM Publishing
• Release date: Aug 1, 2011
• ISBN: 9781561637898

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Reviews for The Lives of Sacco & Vanzetti

[thothj · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A shameful moment in United States history and a travesty of justice. But beautifully rendered as a graphic novel here by Rick Geary.

[sweetiegherkin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In another of his true crime graphic novels, Rick Geary tells the story of two Italian immigrants who are charged with and convicted of murder in the course of an armed robbery. This crime and the legal response shook the world as it seemed to be a verdict based on xenophobia and political agenda (the two men were anarchists). As always, Geary presents all the facts as straight-forwardly as possible, allowing the readers to draw their own conclusions about the innocence or guilt of the two men.

[elizajane_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Reason for Reading: Next in the series.I have to admit I wasn't looking forward to this one *that* much as I prefer the ones about the bloody serial killers like "Beast of Chicago". I had never heard of this case and the robbery/murder, socialist/anarchist angle didn't get me that excited. Surprisingly though once I started reading I was quite taken with this case, especially the proceedings of the trial and the way the reader is left ruminating whether they were in fact guilty or innocent. It's amazing that with how this became such a worldwide controversy, with many country leaders of the 1920's and famous personages speaking out on the case that it has become so obscure today. One would think their names, at least, would have been remembered. I can only say what a pleasure it was to read Geary again, nobody (and I mean *no* body) does b/w graphic novels like Rick Geary. His artwork and presentation of these true crimes is pure joy to hold in your hands. I like the order Geary presented the story, first with the crime being committed, then going back and telling the life stories of the two individual accused and finally ending with the trial. It is quite shocking to today's standard's to see how prejudiced a 1920s courtroom could be. We have a sense today of people being racist against others because of their religion and mostly because of the colour of their skin but it is hard to comprehend the radical racism portrayed here against the Italians simply because of the country they came from. And to see these people discredited for that in the courtroom! Geary leaves us with the list for and against their innocence, the belief many professionals have today that at least Sacco was probably guilty and leaves us to ponder the question on our own. An intriguing case I would never have found myself reading about if it weren't for this book!