Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy
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- Author：Anne Sebba
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Summary
New York Times bestselling author Anne Sebba's moving biography of Ethel Rosenberg， the wife and mother whose execution for espionage-related crimes defined the Cold War and horrified the world。
In June 1953， Julius and Ethel Rosenberg， a couple with two young sons， were led separately from their prison cells on Death Row and electrocuted moments apart。 Both had been convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage for the Soviet Union， despite the fact that the US government was aware that the evidence against Ethel was shaky at best and based on the perjury of her own brother。
This book is the first to focus on one half of that couple for more than thirty years， and much new evidence has surfaced since then。 Ethel was a bright girl who might have fulfilled her personal dream of becoming an opera singer， but instead found herself struggling with the social mores of the 1950's。 She longed to be a good wife and perfect mother， while battling the political paranoia of the McCarthy era， anti-Semitism， misogyny， and a mother who never valued her。 Because of her profound love for and loyalty to her husband， she refused to incriminate him， despite government pressure on her to do so。 Instead， she courageously faced the death penalty for a crime she hadn't committed， orphaning her children。
Seventy years after her trial， this is the first time Ethel's story has been told with the full use of the dramatic and tragic prison letters she exchanged with her husband， her lawyer and her psychotherapist over a three-year period， two of them in solitary confinement。 Hers is the resonant story of what happens when a government motivated by fear tramples on the rights of its citizens。
In June 1953， Julius and Ethel Rosenberg， a couple with two young sons， were led separately from their prison cells on Death Row and electrocuted moments apart。 Both had been convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage for the Soviet Union， despite the fact that the US government was aware that the evidence against Ethel was shaky at best and based on the perjury of her own brother。
This book is the first to focus on one half of that couple for more than thirty years， and much new evidence has surfaced since then。 Ethel was a bright girl who might have fulfilled her personal dream of becoming an opera singer， but instead found herself struggling with the social mores of the 1950's。 She longed to be a good wife and perfect mother， while battling the political paranoia of the McCarthy era， anti-Semitism， misogyny， and a mother who never valued her。 Because of her profound love for and loyalty to her husband， she refused to incriminate him， despite government pressure on her to do so。 Instead， she courageously faced the death penalty for a crime she hadn't committed， orphaning her children。
Seventy years after her trial， this is the first time Ethel's story has been told with the full use of the dramatic and tragic prison letters she exchanged with her husband， her lawyer and her psychotherapist over a three-year period， two of them in solitary confinement。 Hers is the resonant story of what happens when a government motivated by fear tramples on the rights of its citizens。
Reviews
MandM
，
Fascinating
Lisa Zeigler
，
The executions were carried out before I was born and didn’t initially recall much about this event from history books。 I enjoy history but was disappointed that it seemed slow and tedious for me and I felt like I was reading a report。 I understand that Ethel’s husband， Julius couldn’t state that Ethel was innocent without being considered guilty himself。 I found it difficult that for someone so devoted to his wife， would let her be executed and leave their children behind。 As for Ethel， I’m all The executions were carried out before I was born and didn’t initially recall much about this event from history books。 I enjoy history but was disappointed that it seemed slow and tedious for me and I felt like I was reading a report。 I understand that Ethel’s husband， Julius couldn’t state that Ethel was innocent without being considered guilty himself。 I found it difficult that for someone so devoted to his wife， would let her be executed and leave their children behind。 As for Ethel， I’m all for loyalty to your spouse but how could she possibly believe leaving the boys behind was the right thing to do？ Especially if she was innocent on the charges。 It seems that most people turn on others to save themselves。I disliked her mother and how she openly favored her son when her daughter was so bright and talented。 And for she and David to lie about Ethel was just so reprehensible。 I’ve read a couple other books in the ‘McCarthy era’ and that was an extremely scary time for so many people and difficult to believe that could happen in our country – the home of the free！ Of course， ‘free’ during many times in history wasn’t so free for everyone。 This is a well-researched book and Ethel’s conviction and execution such a tragedy。 Thanks to the author， publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book。 。。。more
Courtney
，
[3。5] stars。A very thoroughly researched account of the life and plight of Ethel Rosenberg。 Although I appreciated the detail in which the author went to recount this interesting piece of American history， the narrative was bogged down in the amount of details presented。 Still， I was able to learn a lot about something I had no prior knowledge。Thank you to Netgalley and St。 Martin's Press。 [3。5] stars。A very thoroughly researched account of the life and plight of Ethel Rosenberg。 Although I appreciated the detail in which the author went to recount this interesting piece of American history， the narrative was bogged down in the amount of details presented。 Still， I was able to learn a lot about something I had no prior knowledge。Thank you to Netgalley and St。 Martin's Press。 。。。more
Pamela
，
Ethel and Julius Rosenberg， a notorious couple that were electrocuted in June 1953。 The author， Anne Sebba， focuses on Ethel and posits that she was murdered by the state and likely innocent， and did not deserve death。 Ethel was betrayed， by her family and the state。 Once could say she was a victim from the beginning， being raised by a mother， Tessie， that never showed her love， and instead poured her emotions to Ethel’s younger brother David。 The same David who names her and Julius in order to Ethel and Julius Rosenberg， a notorious couple that were electrocuted in June 1953。 The author， Anne Sebba， focuses on Ethel and posits that she was murdered by the state and likely innocent， and did not deserve death。 Ethel was betrayed， by her family and the state。 Once could say she was a victim from the beginning， being raised by a mother， Tessie， that never showed her love， and instead poured her emotions to Ethel’s younger brother David。 The same David who names her and Julius in order to reduce his own sentence of the same crime of giving secrets away to Russia。Ethel was a smart woman， trapped in the 1940’s image of what a woman was allowed to do， not much beyond being a wife and mother。 Ethel was determined to be a better mother to her two children and believed in new parenting methods。 Why she didn’t speak， other than pleading the fifth， is a question probed in this book。 Some answers are given， but it’s unknown fully of her motives， leaving the question open if she was guilty or not， or at least knowing about her husband’s activities。 A fascinating book into the WWII era and the beginning of the Cold War。 Of a family thrown into the headlines and forever embedded as part of the American culture from the anti-communist sentiment and Cold War。 I particularly enjoyed the ending， the “Many ways of imagining and seeing Ethel，” with books， plays and a recreation of the trial， which remain part of Ethel’s legacy around the world。I listed to most of the book as an audio narrated by Orlagh Cassidy。 The narration is done well and keeps you in the book。 Couldn’t ask for a better narration for this story。Book rating: 4。5Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing an advance audio copy。Thanks also to St。 Martin's Press and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book。 。。。more
Judy
，
Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC: Rounded up from 3。5 This book is well researched and in light of new information， it's clear that Julius was guilty and Ethel was complicit。 But her brother， her closest family member， lied on the stand In my opinion， her punishment was unduly harsh。 She was self aware and her stoicism masked a much more nuanced woman， but her external demeanor caused her to be denied clemency--as it conflicted with the ideals of female behavior of that time。 She chose her husband Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC: Rounded up from 3。5 This book is well researched and in light of new information， it's clear that Julius was guilty and Ethel was complicit。 But her brother， her closest family member， lied on the stand In my opinion， her punishment was unduly harsh。 She was self aware and her stoicism masked a much more nuanced woman， but her external demeanor caused her to be denied clemency--as it conflicted with the ideals of female behavior of that time。 She chose her husband over her children。 Ethel was complex and this book adds to the literature on the subject。 It was a bit dry， especially at the beginning， but a worthy addition to the literature on the subject。 。。。more
Charlie Shaw
，
Extremely minute details about how she ended up incrimminating herself by not speaking out to save herse;f。 It seems as though she was innocant of spying while her husband was guilty。 Wrongly oxecuted。
Jordan
，
Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy by Anna Sebba is an in-depth examination of the betrayal and execution of an American housewife for conspiracy to spy for the Soviet Union。The audacious design of this book is to accomplish what could not be done in life， to separate Ethel Rosenberg from her husband Julius so that her life and potential guilt could be examined in their own right。 While Julius Rosenberg was undoubtedly a Soviet asset， the case against Ethel has always been less explicit – and Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy by Anna Sebba is an in-depth examination of the betrayal and execution of an American housewife for conspiracy to spy for the Soviet Union。The audacious design of this book is to accomplish what could not be done in life， to separate Ethel Rosenberg from her husband Julius so that her life and potential guilt could be examined in their own right。 While Julius Rosenberg was undoubtedly a Soviet asset， the case against Ethel has always been less explicit – and some see her death as being the consequence of Cold War paranoia and an unfailing loyalty to her husband。 Sebba does a remarkable job of portraying Ethel as more than an appendage of her husband， bringing to life her personality， convictions， and desires for her own life and that of her family。 This reviewer had further been unaware of the role Ethel’s family played in her arrest and execution， with her brother and sister-in-law - who were engaged in spying for Julius - implicating her in order to save themselves。 The author further highlights those elements of American culture from the Great Depression through the early Cold War which influenced the complicated， seesaw attitudes toward Communism and how Ethel’s status as a Jewish mother influenced public perception in relation to both guilt and the desire for clemency。 This was a fascinating deep-dive into one of the seminal events of Cold War history， which managed to personalize a key actor in a way which had not been adequately done before。 However， even with this， Ethel comes off as a somewhat remote character who was leveraged and killed unfairly to put pressure on her husband to give names， but who very likely knew and approved of his espionage on behalf of the Soviets。 。。。more
Bobby Hattaway
，
A deliberate and well-researched discussion of how McCarthyism and its proponents caused the death of a woman who may have gotten a short sentence in normal times。 With perjury committed by her brother and sister-in-law Ms Rosenberg went to her death only hoping that her children would succeed。
Danielle
，
I received a copy of the audiobook （yay audiobooks！） through NetGalley in exchange for a review。 Absolutely beautiful portrayal of the lives and relationships between the Rosenbergs and Greenglasses。
Susan
，
Although I didn't realize it at the time， what I learned about Rosenbergs in high school， during the height of the Cold War， was tinged with every -ism rampant at that time。 Racism， classism， sexism， anti-Semitism。 Throw in a little anti-immigrant sentiment and a whole lot of paranoia about Communism。 So I was very interested in learning more about Ethel Rosenberg。 This well-researched， comprehensive look at Ethel Rosenberg's life， focusing on the events she was best known for， reveals Ethel Ros Although I didn't realize it at the time， what I learned about Rosenbergs in high school， during the height of the Cold War， was tinged with every -ism rampant at that time。 Racism， classism， sexism， anti-Semitism。 Throw in a little anti-immigrant sentiment and a whole lot of paranoia about Communism。 So I was very interested in learning more about Ethel Rosenberg。 This well-researched， comprehensive look at Ethel Rosenberg's life， focusing on the events she was best known for， reveals Ethel Rosenberg to be nothing more than an intelligent， caring， ambitious， and loyal woman who was more devoted to her husband and family than they were to her。 The betrayals by her mother， brother， and sister-in-law are all unspeakable， while the hysteria of the Red Scare still seems absurd more than half a century later （even as the fear-mongering， not the reality of any threat of socialism， is still relevant today。 Anne Sebba has crafted a very readable， approachable account of Ethel Rosenberg's life and the time in which she lived。 #EthelRosenberg #NetGalley 。。。more
Jeff
，
I thoroughly enjoyed this book， in spite of the fact that I was angry and frustrated by the historical details of the case and the investigation。 Anne Sebba shares more documented details about the Rosenberg family， and in a very well organized way， than I would have thought could have existed。 Why is real justice so hard to attain in this country？ This sad story is simply fascinating。 I think the most engaging part for me was the life journey of the children afterwards。 Now I want more。I receiv I thoroughly enjoyed this book， in spite of the fact that I was angry and frustrated by the historical details of the case and the investigation。 Anne Sebba shares more documented details about the Rosenberg family， and in a very well organized way， than I would have thought could have existed。 Why is real justice so hard to attain in this country？ This sad story is simply fascinating。 I think the most engaging part for me was the life journey of the children afterwards。 Now I want more。I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more
Suzanne
，
I started reading this book knowing the author was sympathetic to Ethel Rosenberg。 I wanted to know more about their "tragedy" because I only knew that they were executed as spies for Russia。 After reading this book even though the author portrays Ethel as a victim， I think they were guilty。 I don't agree with the death penalty and I think they would have been treated better if they had not been caught during the McCarthism era however Jules Rosenberg was selling information about the USA nuclea I started reading this book knowing the author was sympathetic to Ethel Rosenberg。 I wanted to know more about their "tragedy" because I only knew that they were executed as spies for Russia。 After reading this book even though the author portrays Ethel as a victim， I think they were guilty。 I don't agree with the death penalty and I think they would have been treated better if they had not been caught during the McCarthism era however Jules Rosenberg was selling information about the USA nuclear weapons he received from his brother-in-law to Russia。 The book is really about Ethel and she was portrayed in the book as a Communist and willingly participated in several communist activities so she is not totally innocent。 She appears to be a bright and curious person so I think she probably did know and agree with her husband's activities。 But， I do not agree that she should have been executed。 。。。more
Crystal Tadlock
，
This was， oddly， a subject that I really had no knowledge of。 I enjoyed the writing and the facts included in the book。 I was able to look up facts as I read the book， which I really enjoyed。 I am so sad for Ethel and my heart hurt that she was electrocuted along with her beloved husband Julius。 This is a reminder of the place we must grow from to become better。
Kenneth Aspan
，
Honest insight into an often misunderstood crimeI have to admit I was expecting this book to be boring and more propaganda than insightful。 It was neither。
Gayle
，
This book is an exhaustive study of Ethel Rosenberg， an endlessly interesting woman， who along with her husband Julius， was convicted and executed in June， 1953 for spying against the United States。This story humanizes Ethel， it tells of her childhood， teen years and her meetings with activists as a young woman。 She definitely was anti-war， but did she really conspire with Julius and her brother David Greenglass to sell secrets to the Soviet enemy？ This question has haunted those who know her hi This book is an exhaustive study of Ethel Rosenberg， an endlessly interesting woman， who along with her husband Julius， was convicted and executed in June， 1953 for spying against the United States。This story humanizes Ethel， it tells of her childhood， teen years and her meetings with activists as a young woman。 She definitely was anti-war， but did she really conspire with Julius and her brother David Greenglass to sell secrets to the Soviet enemy？ This question has haunted those who know her history for generations。 Much of this book takes place during the creation of the Manhattan Project， details of which Julius Rosenberg had access。 But did Ethel know if Julius was passing secrets to the Russians？ Did her silence indicate tacit approval or lack of knowledge？At the same time this suspected espionage was going on， Julius and Ethel raised two sons， Michael and Robert。 Maintaining a level of normalcy was most important to their beloved sons。 Ethel engaged in many ways to make sure her sons were experiencing a healthy and normal childhood。The story goes on to tell us about what evidence there was against Ethel and Julius and the legal maneuvering that took place during the "red scare" of the 1950's。 The author is not explicit in her opinion on Ethel's guilt or innocence， but there is enough evidence for the reader to come to a pretty clear conclusion。 I found this book very interesting， and it was another slant on how those times and the characters were viewed。 。。。more
Erin
，
I remember briefly learning about Ethel Rosenberg in high school history class。 But I don't remember there being much context given to her execution。 I had also heard of her as one of the characters in Tony Kushner's amazing play， "Angels in America。" But again I didn't know much about the actual person and what she'd been through or about her true part in America's history with fighting communism and the fear of the Cold War。Sebba did an incredible amount of research into the life and death of I remember briefly learning about Ethel Rosenberg in high school history class。 But I don't remember there being much context given to her execution。 I had also heard of her as one of the characters in Tony Kushner's amazing play， "Angels in America。" But again I didn't know much about the actual person and what she'd been through or about her true part in America's history with fighting communism and the fear of the Cold War。Sebba did an incredible amount of research into the life and death of Ethel。 Her research included interviews with the surviving people who knew Ethel the best。 The story is shocking and tragic， and Ethel has gone down in history as the only woman ever executed in the US for a crime other than murder （conspiracy to commit espionage in this case）。 Sebba does a wonderful job bringing Ethel to life （as a union organizer and in her roles as a mother， wife， and daughter）。 This serves her subject well as the reader is reminded that Ethel was so much more than her accused crime。 In fact， she likely wasn't even guilty at all。 There are many heartbreaking details in this book， but they're crucial to understanding what an unfair tragedy the whole thing was。My only complaint is that there were a few sections that seemed to drag a little bit。 Sometimes Ethel's spirit got diminished in the minutiae of her short life。 However， I thought in general the book was captivating and left me thinking a great deal of the time - which is truly the sign of a good book。*Free ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review* 。。。more
Erin
，
3。75 stars Thanks to Netgalley and St。 Martin's Press for an egalley in exchange for an honest review。 Felt like a need for a bit of nonfiction。 Post-WWII America in the era of McCarthyism is not an era I often venture into and I didn't really know much about the Rosenbergs except that they were tried and convicted of being spies。 Well-researched， easy to read but I still have lots of unanswered questions about this time period。 I appreciated that the author tried to show all sides。 It defi 3。75 stars Thanks to Netgalley and St。 Martin's Press for an egalley in exchange for an honest review。 Felt like a need for a bit of nonfiction。 Post-WWII America in the era of McCarthyism is not an era I often venture into and I didn't really know much about the Rosenbergs except that they were tried and convicted of being spies。 Well-researched， easy to read but I still have lots of unanswered questions about this time period。 I appreciated that the author tried to show all sides。 It definitely was a crazy period of history。 So I shall look out for other titles。 。。。more
Robyn Martin
，
Audible
Darcysmom
，
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg - names that bring the specter of anti-communist hysteria instantly to life。 Even if you know nothing else about them， you know that they betrayed their country by spying for the Soviet Union。 Like everything we think we know， there is so much more to their story， to her story。 In Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy， Anne Sebba meticulously researches the life and death of a publically reviled but little-known woman。 Despite the wealth of information， essential questi Julius and Ethel Rosenberg - names that bring the specter of anti-communist hysteria instantly to life。 Even if you know nothing else about them， you know that they betrayed their country by spying for the Soviet Union。 Like everything we think we know， there is so much more to their story， to her story。 In Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy， Anne Sebba meticulously researches the life and death of a publically reviled but little-known woman。 Despite the wealth of information， essential questions about Ethel Rosenberg remain unanswered - what did she really know？ Was she an active participant in Julius's spy ring？ The answers are tantalizingly out of reach as the truth died with Ethel， who remained true to the vows she made to live or die with Julius。The picture of Ethel that emerges is of an intelligent， political， highly principled woman who loved her family and prioritized them above all else。 Her choices were well thought out， often agonized over。 Her choice to stand with Julius led directly to her death。 This book left me with far more questions than answers。 I have to wonder if the Rosenbergs would have been executed if their trial had occurred a few years earlier or later。 I have to wonder why Ethel was executed at all - she seems to have been a victim of hysteria。 Her level of guilt is unclear - it seems a lengthy prison sentence would have been an acceptable punishment。 This seems especially true as her brother eventually admitted he perjured himself to save his own wife and family。The relevance of the Rosenberg case is as fresh today as it was in the 1950s。 Hysteria on a national level never seems far away。 It would be a shame if we learned nothing from the handling of the Rosenbergs。Thanks to Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to read and review this book。 。。。more
Susan
，
As a young woman， Ethel Rosenberg wanted to bean opera singer。 She got married and had two boys。 Even。 Though he was。 Judged guilty， there was not as much said about her compared to her husband。 Thr Rosenbergs we’re judged guilty of conspiracy to commit espionage for Russia。 This took place during the Cold War with the political paranoia of the McCarthy era。 The United States government at that time knew that their evidence was shaky and based on her brother’s lies。 She was loyal to her husband As a young woman， Ethel Rosenberg wanted to bean opera singer。 She got married and had two boys。 Even。 Though he was。 Judged guilty， there was not as much said about her compared to her husband。 Thr Rosenbergs we’re judged guilty of conspiracy to commit espionage for Russia。 This took place during the Cold War with the political paranoia of the McCarthy era。 The United States government at that time knew that their evidence was shaky and based on her brother’s lies。 She was loyal to her husband and refuse to say that he as the guilty one。 Sadly they were kept in separate cells before they both were executed in June 1953。。 This is the first time her story has been told。 It has been told through her correspondence with her husband， lawyer and psychotherapist。 This is what happens to its citizen’s rights when the government is afraid of it citizens。 Her husband was executed first and then her。 It is a thorough account with relevance to today and that is scary。 I found this a fascinating part of history that happened in the United States。Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley。 I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all。 。。。more
Juli
，
In 1953， Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed for espionage。 They met their fate in the electric chair just minutes apart。 Over the decades since， it has been speculated that the evidence against Ethel was weak， and that others gave evidence against her to save themselves from prosecution。 Anne Sebba obviously thoroughly researched Ethel -- her life， her choices， her personality， love for her two sons， the life of a woman that ended in a public spectacle trial and execution brought on by fea In 1953， Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed for espionage。 They met their fate in the electric chair just minutes apart。 Over the decades since， it has been speculated that the evidence against Ethel was weak， and that others gave evidence against her to save themselves from prosecution。 Anne Sebba obviously thoroughly researched Ethel -- her life， her choices， her personality， love for her two sons， the life of a woman that ended in a public spectacle trial and execution brought on by fear of communism。 Was Ethel guilty of being a spy， aiding and abetting spies， or helping pass information to the Russians？ Sebba presents the facts she discovered during her research and then， for the most part， leaves readers to make their own conclusions。 I'm not sure of my opinions on a case that was concluded 15 years before my birth。 In the past the 1950's were idealized as some sort of a perfect family time， a peaceful happy time following WWII -- but the reality is much more dark。 There was prevailing racism， sexism， political witch hunts， antisemitism， just a prevailing cesspool of garbage thought and shitty ideals。 I don't have enough of the facts in this case to actually form an opinion on the trial and execution of the Rosenbergs。 Until I read this book and started doing side research of my own to learn more about the case， I had no idea there was another defendant， Morton Sobell， and that others were jailed for obstruction and other charges during the case。 All that was ever mentioned in history books when I was in school was that Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed for espionage and passing nuclear secrets to the Russians along with verbage about the evils of Communism。 Were the Rosenbergs guilty？ I'd have to do a lot more research to have a firm opinion。 But I do know Author Anne Sebba， and many others， believe that Ethel was not。 I do know that the aftermath for her children was horrific -- they were left orphaned because family members refused to take them in。 There is a documentary on HBOMax， Heir to an Execution， made by the Rosenberg's granddaughter about the execution and its aftermath。 Did the Rosenbergs have have activist， fringe political beliefs。。。。yes。 As many did back then。。。。as many did in later years。。。。as many do now。 But were they -- or Ethel in particular -- spies？ Or were they victims of McCarthyism？Very interesting book that evoked many different emotions for me。 I definitely want to read and learn more about this case。 The Audiobook version of this book was narrated by Orlagh Cassidy。 She did a phenomenal job。 Her reading pace was perfect。 Her voice is easy to listen to。 And she put the right amount of emotion into it。 Very well done。 **I voluntarily read an ARC of this book from St Martins Press， and listened to a review audiobook from MacMillan Audio。 All opinions expressed are entirely my own。** 。。。more
Dawn Michelle
，
The first time I ever heard of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg was in the movie "You've Got Mail" when two characters have a dialogue about an article the one characters wrote about them。 I had never even heard those names before。 I remember looking them up and really all I could find was that they were spies and that they were both executed for that。 Fast forward to a few months ago and this book came up on NetGalley and I knew I needed to read this and I am so glad I did。 This was a huge history le The first time I ever heard of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg was in the movie "You've Got Mail" when two characters have a dialogue about an article the one characters wrote about them。 I had never even heard those names before。 I remember looking them up and really all I could find was that they were spies and that they were both executed for that。 Fast forward to a few months ago and this book came up on NetGalley and I knew I needed to read this and I am so glad I did。 This was a huge history lesson that everyone should be reading。 What a crazy story [thoroughly researched by the author and written in a even tone， even in the face of Ethel being executed] and heartbreaking story。 。 I cannot believe what Julius and Ethel went through at the hands of the US government [talk about a farce of a trial; and I cannot even imagine being thrown under the bus by a sibling like Ethel was by her brother] and then to wait out the months leading to their death alone， in prison， knowing they were going to die and still proclaiming their innocence right up to the end， with Ethel thinking only of her husband and her two little boys， who she missed so much every day she was apart from them。 That these two boys lost both parents with little regard to their own well-being [Ethel was never anything but a good mother， who lived for her children and her husband {this was shown over and over again， as she gave up a good job to support her husband in a move that his job required， and the help she continually sought out for Michael， who had issues as a child} ] is nothing short of horrific。 It isn't until much later that the well-being of the boys is actually taken care of and it is because of their adoptive parents love and caring [AND the love that Ethel and Julius showered on them when they were small]， that enables these two boys to grow up to be really amazing adults。 It is， in my opinion， the only blessing and good thing that came out of this horrible disaster。 My heart hurts for them and all they lost - it is heartbreaking。 Do I believe that Ethel was a spy？ No I do not。 Do I believe she is guilty of supporting her husband in any way she could？ Yes I do。 And she died for that。 "Few would deny that David and Ruth betrayed Ethel when they lied about the typewriter。 Many would also argue that Julius and David betrayed their county when they spied for the Soviet Union。 Tessie betrayed Ethel by failing to love or cherish her only daughter。 Saypol， Cohn， and Judge Kaufman betrayed the high ideals of American justice。 Truman and Eisenhower betrayed their better selves by refusing to grant Ethel clemency。 Only Ethel betrayed no one， thus sealing her own fate。" <--THIS sums up this whole book better than I could ever do。 Well done。 **I was also granted an audiobook of this， read by the amazing Orlagh Cassidy。 She does an amazing job and really added to the story as a whole。 SO glad I was able to listen to this book。**Thank you to NetGalley， Anne Sebba， and St。 Martin's Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more
Jessica Kimbel
，
This is a biography of communist spy Ethel Rosenberg， which from the blurbs sounded like an exciting read to me， but unfortunately fell a little flat of my expectations。 Although I appreciate the thorough and in-depth research， it was often too much and quite overwhelming。 I felt like I was reading a dull high school history text and I struggled to finish it。 I was surprised that the author’s opinion that Mrs。 Rosenberg was innocent was so clearly shown during the entirety of the novel。 I would This is a biography of communist spy Ethel Rosenberg， which from the blurbs sounded like an exciting read to me， but unfortunately fell a little flat of my expectations。 Although I appreciate the thorough and in-depth research， it was often too much and quite overwhelming。 I felt like I was reading a dull high school history text and I struggled to finish it。 I was surprised that the author’s opinion that Mrs。 Rosenberg was innocent was so clearly shown during the entirety of the novel。 I would have rather been given the information and come to my own conclusions。 。。。more
Susan
，
I have always been interested in the trial and execution of the Rosenberg's for spying but there were so many things about Ethel that were unanswered， until now。 It was like the perfect storm - the Red scare of the 1950's， Communism， antisemitism， politics， the role of women and much more。 With access to newly released documents the author sheds new light on the tragedy of Ethel Rosenberg。 The facts are laid out and the conclusions remain with the reader。 Learning more about the actions of J。 Ed I have always been interested in the trial and execution of the Rosenberg's for spying but there were so many things about Ethel that were unanswered， until now。 It was like the perfect storm - the Red scare of the 1950's， Communism， antisemitism， politics， the role of women and much more。 With access to newly released documents the author sheds new light on the tragedy of Ethel Rosenberg。 The facts are laid out and the conclusions remain with the reader。 Learning more about the actions of J。 Edgar Hoover and Roy Cohen was an eye opener。 Getting to know more about who Ethel Rosenberg was made for an enlightening read。 I pray that we have learned from history and it never repeats itself。My thanks to the publisher St。Martin's Press and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review。 。。。more
Debbie
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Thank you Netgalley for giving me a sneak peak into a fascinating story。I've been intrigued by Ethel Rosenberg since I heard about her government murder as a child。 I could not and still can not understand how this could have happened in the United States of America。I feel like many things written about this horrible event have focused on Roy Cohn and the Greenglass betrayal。I'm so glad that Anne Sebba has humanized Ethel and given us a more full bodied portrait into her life。 It makes the endin Thank you Netgalley for giving me a sneak peak into a fascinating story。I've been intrigued by Ethel Rosenberg since I heard about her government murder as a child。 I could not and still can not understand how this could have happened in the United States of America。I feel like many things written about this horrible event have focused on Roy Cohn and the Greenglass betrayal。I'm so glad that Anne Sebba has humanized Ethel and given us a more full bodied portrait into her life。 It makes the ending of the story even more tragic when we learn what a talented and strong person Mrs。 Rosenberg was。 。。。more
Annie
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I highly recommend this well -researched and well-written book with a focus on Ethel Rosenberg of the infamous Rosenberg's who were put to death by the U。S。 Government。 Sebba's access to people in Ethel and Julius' life gives a very nuanced and insider view of her life and that of her family。 The tragedy of the Rosenberg family plays out like a biblical or Shakespearean tragedy and in Sebba's telling it is a real page-turner。 I had read about the Rosenberg's in the past and also more recently se I highly recommend this well -researched and well-written book with a focus on Ethel Rosenberg of the infamous Rosenberg's who were put to death by the U。S。 Government。 Sebba's access to people in Ethel and Julius' life gives a very nuanced and insider view of her life and that of her family。 The tragedy of the Rosenberg family plays out like a biblical or Shakespearean tragedy and in Sebba's telling it is a real page-turner。 I had read about the Rosenberg's in the past and also more recently seen a documentary that was made by Ethel's granddaughter that started to make me question how this historical episode was portrayed by the powers-that-be。 What is unique about Sebba's book is that it focuses centrally on Ethel。 The vindictive nature of the trial's prosecutors （Roy Cohn being one of them） and the Judge against communist sympathizers （who often as in this case， were sympathetic to the cause as an anti-fascist political statement and at the time the Soviet Union was the United States Ally）。。 The all male prosecution team also were anti-women， especially educated women who did not fit the role of what a 1950's housewife should be/do。 The sentencing and resulting after effects were so vindictive， the children were at risk of being institutionalized instead of adopted。As I said， I could not put this book down。 It gave me insight into Ethel Rosenberg as well as her family。 I can't help but wonder could something like this happen to any of us who have strong beliefs about something， and go against the tide？I highly recommend this book。 。。。more
Candie
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This biography engulfed me for the two days it took me to read it。 What a travesty of justice！ This was well written with lots of personal anecdotes from Ethel’s friends， family and foes。 The author also had access to letters between Ethel and Julius as well as Ethel and her psychiatrist。 Definitely a must read for biography fans。
Nikki
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This book paints a vivid picture of what Ethel's life was like， and the huge number of obstacles she had to overcome。 There is too little presented to really form a concrete opinnion about how much she knew of Julian's spying， but it left me thinking she might have known more than I previously thought。 There is no doubt in my mind， however， that she absolutely should not have been put to death。 She was essentially murdered and her kids were left as orphans so that some government officials could This book paints a vivid picture of what Ethel's life was like， and the huge number of obstacles she had to overcome。 There is too little presented to really form a concrete opinnion about how much she knew of Julian's spying， but it left me thinking she might have known more than I previously thought。 There is no doubt in my mind， however， that she absolutely should not have been put to death。 She was essentially murdered and her kids were left as orphans so that some government officials could say they were putting a stop to communism。 What a travesty。 。。。more
Wanda Argersinger
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Ethel Rosenberg tells the story of to Americans who took their belief beyond the laws。 American's have heard a lot about Ethel's husband， but to read about the woman who was devoted to him， give another picture of life in America at the time of their trials， and how one couple took their beliefs beyond the law。Ethel was a devoted mother and wife who believed with her mind and heart that what her husband thought was right。 It took that kind of devotion to follow her husband who was found guilty o Ethel Rosenberg tells the story of to Americans who took their belief beyond the laws。 American's have heard a lot about Ethel's husband， but to read about the woman who was devoted to him， give another picture of life in America at the time of their trials， and how one couple took their beliefs beyond the law。Ethel was a devoted mother and wife who believed with her mind and heart that what her husband thought was right。 It took that kind of devotion to follow her husband who was found guilty of selling America's secrets to foreign countries。 Justice， as seen at the time， was swift and severe， but even in her death this woman did what she could to ensure a good life for her son， but never betraying her husband。 。。。more
Wally
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