The Boy in the Box: The Unsolved Case of America's Unknown Child

By David Stout and Oindrila Mukherjee

Book Overview

On February 25, 1957, the nude, badly bruised body of a young boy was found in a cardboard box in trash-strewn woods of north Philadelphia. Posters of the "Boy in the Box" soon dotted the city and police stations nationwide-to no avail. In November 1998 the remains were exhumed for DNA analysis, and the boy was reburied as "America's Unknown Child." The Boy in the Box is the first book to examine America's most famous unsolved case of child murder-one that led to the "Stranger Danger" child safety campaign and a Law & Order episode. Written in a fast-paced style and featuring never-before-seen photos, it examines half a century of shocking and mysterious events surrounding the discovery of the body. David Stout presents a timeline interwoven with flashbacks, theories, media reports, first-hand interviews, and urban myths-taking us back to the year America lost its innocence forever.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1599212692
• ISBN13: 9781599212692
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: Lyons Press
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Good look at a fascinating case

I disagree with the Publisher's Weekly review. I thought this book was very well thought out and went in a logical order of events. Considering the case still consists mostly of loose ends, Stout did a very good job of presenting various theories about the identity of this poor boy.

A MUST READ

I found out about this case when I was doing an internet search on the Damman case. I was intrigued by the case and decided that I would order this book. I had already read some information on the internet and was extremely interested in finding out more. This book is very detailed about the investigation..past and present. Stout includes the various theories and tips in this book, as well as the thoughts of the investigators at the time. I found myself thinking each theory and tip through to figure out if they were plausible or not. I found myself asking questions about the case--sometimes finding answers, but not all of the time. Through the eyes of Stout and the investigators, I felt like I was there going through each phase of the investigations. I went through a variety of emotions--sadness, anger, shock, disblief, and sympathy. Investigators have put their hearts into this case and have worked many years to give this poor soul a name. Stout's mastery of fine writing brings the reader to the investigation and familarizes the reader in such a way that it feels like you were there. I read this book in less than two days and did not want to put it down. I want to know more about the case, but it appears that Stout has put it all down. Hopefully, soon, the boy will have his name and those investigators will find peace.

Fascinating, indepth read!

What an honor David Stout has bestowed on a little boy who died over 50 years ago through the creation of this wonderful book called The Boy in the Box: the Unsolved Case of America's Unknown Child. With indepth research and great story writing, Stout details the circumstances and detective work surrounding the murder and disposal of a young boy left by the side of a road in a bassinet box in Upper Darby, PA in 1957. This book is much better written than its predecessor The Boy in the Box (Hoffman) as it provides greater details, a storyline, and offers thoughts as to what the detectives on the case were actually thinking. As a fellow true crime author, I know what it's like to dig deep into an unsolved case, get into the minds of the investigative team and memoralize the victim with respect. David Stout does all of these and more with The Boy in the Box. Well done! James Peinkofer author - "Lilacs in the Rain: the Shocking Story of Connecticut's Shaken Baby Serial Killer."