Their Fifteen Minutes

About the Book

In 1927, young airmail pilot Charles A. Lindbergh wowed the world by being the first to fly nonstop from New York to Paris. His daring accomplishment won him not only the $25,000 prize, but worldwide recognition. It also cost him his privacy that lasted a lifetime. In 1932, the son of Charles and Anne Lindbergh was kidnapped and later found dead-a crime that shocked America and the world. Bruno Hauptmann was tried, convicted, and executed for his role in the little boy's death.

Their Fifteen Minutes is a unique collection of biographical essays filling in the blanks and providing background regarding the key figures involved in the case, such as:

• Henry "Red" Johnson, the first "prime suspect"
• Hans Kloppenburg, Hauptmann's best friend
• Jafsie, also known as Dr. John F. Condon, who served as the intermediary between the kidnappers and the family
• Betty Gow, a servant employed by the Lindberghs

Until now, the lives of those touched by this case have gone virtually unrecorded. Known only for their brief encounter with history, Their Fifteen Minutes tells the rest of their story showing there was much more to them than their fifteen minutes of fame.

About the Author

Mark W. Falzini is one of the foremost experts on the Lindbergh kidnapping case, a topic he has studied for over fifteen years. He earned degrees from Rutgers University, Trenton State College. Falzini is the archivist for the New Jersey State Police Museum.