Author Unknown: On the Trail of Anonymous

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Henry Holt and Company, Feb 4, 2014 - True Crime - 320 pages

From the professor who invented literary forensics--and fingered Joe Klein as the author of Primary Colors--comes the inside story of how he solves his most challenging cases

Don Foster is the world's first literary detective. Realizing that everyone's use of language is as distinctive as his or her DNA, Foster developed a revolutionary methodology for identifying the writer behind almost any anonymous document. Now, in this enthralling book, he explains his techniques and invites readers to sit by his side as he searches a mysterious text for the clues that whisper the author's name.
Foster's unique skills first came to light when a front-page New York Times article announced his discovery that a previously unattributed poem was written by Shakespeare. A few weeks later, Foster solved the mystery that had obsessed America for months when he identified Joe Klein as the author of Primary Colors. Foster also took on a case involving the elusive Thomas Pynchon. And his contributions to the Unabomber and JonBenet Ramsey cases have led the FBI and several police forces to hire him to train their organizations.
Introducing a fascinating new field of forensics, Author Unknown will appeal to mystery fans--and to everyone interested in words and the writer's craft.

 

Contents

On the Trail
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
CHAPTER THREE
StarrCrossed Lovers
Wanda the Fort BraggBag Lady
Yes Virginia There WasaSanta Claus
NOTES

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About the author (2014)

Don Foster is a professor of English literature at Vassar College. He has assisted with dozens of criminal investigations and civil suits involving anonymous or pseudonymous writings. His books include Author Unknown and Detention and Torture in South Africa. He lives in Poughkeepsie, New York, with his wife and two sons.

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