Here for your delectation is theSPECTACULAR & RARE------------------THEY HANGED MY SAINTLY BILLY: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF DR. WILLIAM PALMERby Robert Graves.The story of William Palmer is at once comic and tragic, for it is the story of a seemingly good man - a country doctor in nineteenth century England - who also just happens to be a forger, philanderer, fixer of horse races and common thief. But the law did not ultimately punish Dr. Palmer for any of these crimes; he is instead condemned by history as one of England's most notorious serial killers, a poisoner suspected in the deaths of his mother-in-law, wife, brother, children and his best friend. So let us thank Robert Graves for presenting the other side of the story, one supported by the facts and in the same mold as his other great historical fictions "I, Claudius" and "Claudius the God" - Graves purports to show what really happened in that small village of Rugeley and the miscarriage of justice that occured at Palmer's trial. The author suggests that Dr. Palmer's most egregious fault was to run afoul of the "combined might of the Police, the insurance companies and the Jockey Club" - especially the latter, whom Graves smirks "would feel a hundred times less aggrieved with a man who garotted a fellow-criminal, an unwanted child, or an ailing relative, than with one who poisoned race-horses." There is little doubt that Palmer stole from friends and family alike or that he attempted to profit from the life insurance policies of those not long for this world; one of the book's most hilarious scenes has Palmer convincing his drunkard brother Walter to insure the remainder of his miserable life: "What about selling your life, Watty? You know it can't be a long one, not above ten years at the rate you're going . . . If you last beyond eight years, I'll be the loser, yet I don't mind taking the risk, if you promise to play fair. What do you say, Watty, old chum? It's easy money, like pledging your skeleton to a hospital." The genius of Graves is that he is able to contrast these moments of high comedy against the overwhelming conclusion that Palmer died a man innocent of the charges against him, namely, the murder of his friend John Parsons Cook. Justice was only a tool here, not the result, it was used to condemn a crook for his notorious life - Palmer was to become an example to all cheaters and deadbeats. NOT TO BE MISSED!!ALSO A FABULOUS COLLECTIBLE!!HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! This is the softcover only stated AVON EDITION from 1957.Both the cover and the book are in excellent condition. There are no rips, tears, markings, etc.---and the pages and binding are tight (see photo). **Note: All books listed as FIRST EDITIONS are stated by the publisher in words or number lines--or--only stated editions that include only the publisher and publication date. Check my feedback to see that I sell exactly as I describe. So buy now for this magnificent, impossible-to-findHISTORICAL FICTION COLLECTIBLE.ALL OF MY LISTINGS ARE BETTER THAN AN product!! IF YOUSEEK OUTINCENTIVES LIKE FREE SHIPPING-------- YOU'VE GOT IT!!! PLUS---CHOOSE WHAT YOU WANT TO PAY!!!! IF THE LISTED PRICE IS A BIT OUT OF YOUR PRICE RANGE, CHECK BEST OFFER AND STATE THE REASONABLEPRICEYOU WOULD LIKE TO PAY---CHANCES ARETHE ITEM WILL BE YOURS--IMMEDIATELY!! (Sometimes I even accept unreasonable offers!) DON'T JUST BROWSE!!! THIS IS THE ITEM YOU SEARCHED FOR---AND IT COULD BE YOURS FOR THE PRICE YOU WOULD LIKE!! NO WAITING FOR AN product TO END----AND NO DEAL LIKE THIS ANYWHERE ON THE INTERNET!!!! _______________________________________________________________________________________WANT TOSEE MORE LIKE THIS??FOR EXTRA-SPECIAL SAVINGSGO TOBARRYS BARGAIN BIN (CLICK HERE--)forBOOKS THOUSANDS OFUNIQUE TITLES (no duplication) ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY FIRST EDITIONS ! +MUSICIN ALL GENRES AND FORMATS(lps, 45s, 78s, and cassettes)+ASSORTED RARE CURIOSITIESEVERYTHING(except death and taxes) IS NEGOTIABLE!MAKE ME AN OFFER I CAN'T REFUSE!! (NO HORSE'S HEAD IN THE BED, PLEASE!)ALLREASONABLE OFFERS WILL BE ACCEPTED!!!(EVEN THE OCCASIONAL UNREASONABLE OFFER)Be sure to add me to your favorites list090112
