One Book, One County - 2009
Anatomy of a Murder
This year's selection for our community reading program is Anatomy of a Murder, a courtroom drama set in Michigan and written by former Michigan Supreme Court Justice John D. Voelker under the pen name Robert Traver. We look forward to an exciting series of events and discussions.
The Book
Anatomy of a Murder is the story of Paul Biegler, a small town lawyer in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan who takes on the case of Lieutenant Manion, charged with murder for shooting a local barkeeper. Based on the true story of a murder in Big Bay, Michigan, the novel is a fictionalized account of the trial.
John D. Voelker
(Robert Traver)
The Author
Robert Traver was the pen name of John D. Voelker, who was a lawyer, prosecutor, and a Michigan Supreme Court Justice throughout his distinguished career. Born, raised, and educated in Michigan, he took up writing what he knew. In Anatomy of a Murder, he penned a story about an actual trial in which he served as the defense attorney. He also wrote a number of short stories set in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, as well as books on fishing.
The Setting
The Film
Filmed in Big Bay, Marquette, Ishpeming and Michigamme, the film captured the look and feel of the small towns of the Upper Peninsula. The film, directed by Otto Preminger, starred James Stewart as Paul Biegler, Ben Gazzara as Lieutenant Manion, Lee Remick as Laura Manion, and George C. Scott as the downstate big city prosecutor sent in from Lansing. The 1959 film was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won a Grammy for its soundtrack, composed by Duke Ellington (Preview at Amazon).
The American Bar Association rated this as one of the twelve best trial movies of all time and UCLA law professor, Michael Asimow, has called the film "probably the finest pure trial movie ever made."
Where Can I Get Anatomy of a Murder?
- Check our catalog for the book's availability. You can place a hold on the book if it's checked out, and there will be a few extra copies at the branches. Please call your branch library for details.
- Check MeLCat and order the book to be delivered from another library.
- You can read excerpts from the book, thanks to Google's Book Search.
- Taylor's Stationers in Coldwater should have extra copies on hand to purchase.
- You can order it from your favorite online book retailer.
Library Events
We'll be having book discussions at all branches, you're welcome to attend any and all of them.
- Saturday, March 14 @ 10:00am - Quincy Branch Library
- Tuesday, March 17 @ 5:00pm - Algansee Branch Library
- Thursday, March 19 @ 6:00pm - Bronson Branch Library
- Tuesday, March 24 @ 6:00pm - Coldwater Branch Library
- Thursday, March 26 @ 6:00pm - Sherwood Branch Library
- During the entire month of March, you'll be able to participate in an online discussion of the book on our web site.
- And make sure to join us for our finale at the Bronson Branch Library on Tuesday, March 31 @ 6:30pm. We'll be showing the Anatomy of a Murder film and providing refreshments.
Learn More
- The Center for the Book at the Library of Michigan has put together a fine reader's guide to Anatomy of a Murder.
- "An Anatomy of Anatomy of a Murder" - a fascinating address by Frederick Baker, Jr., a board member of the Voelker Foundation, to the National Conference of Chief Justices on June 28, 2007 at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.