Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were American citizens who were accused of spying for the Soviet Union in 1951. Despite a troubling upbringing, Ethel was an intelligent singer and loving mother, who's world revolved around her husband. Perhaps that is why the US government assumed she was "in on" her husband's espionage, despite very little evidence of such. Nevertheless, while countless others accused of the same crime were reasonably charged, Julius and Ethel were sentenced to death.

I'll be honest, I hadn't heard of Ethel Rosenberg prior to reading this book. Did she do it? I have no idea, but I do know that she should not have been put to death based solely on having conversations with her brother and husband (content unknown, no less). How is that ample evidence? Using her receiving a literal death sentence to leverage her husband is the most preposterous thing I have ever heard and it should have been called off the moment it became clear that it would not work.

Basically, the content of this book made me angry. Which meant the author did a spectacular job of presenting the facts. Even if the facts did cause me to lose even more faith in the justice system. It took a while to read....much longer than it normally takes for me to read a single book. It is very well researched and written, but it could be dry at times.

The biography of Ethel Rosenberg by Anne Sebba is well researched and she does fight Ethel's case quite well. I can't say that she changed my mind on the subject. She states well and I agree, that Ethel probably didn't deserve the death sentence. But I am unconvinced of Ethel's innocence, and part of the is Sebba's convincing argument about how smart Ethel was and her unquenchable search for knowledge. That said, I think this is a well written book and worth your thought and time.
I want to thank #NetGalley for allowing me to give my voluntary and honest opinion on #EthelRosenberg. I had the opportunity to listen to the audio version of this book. Orlagh Cassidy did a wonderful job with her narration and she was easy to listen to. I did have to speed up the book a little, but I always do. (less)

Highlighting the factors leading up to Ethel's conviction and execution, this is a very throughly researched book, complete with references. However, its strength is also its downfall, as there was perhaps too much detail presented in a dry manner, making it a slog for me to read.

I'm giving it 3 stars because it is no doubt a well written book, but I am the wrong reader. Readers should be aware that after an explosive beginning it reads more like a textbook or research paper. If that is what you are looking for, this will be a terrific choice.

I knew the bare bones of the Rosenberg story before I started this book. Now I feel that I have a greater understanding of what happen. I thought the author was brilliant to focus on Ethel. She is the first & only woman executed for treason in U.S. history. The youthful idealism of Ethel & Julius leads Julius to seek secrets from the U.S.. development of the atomic bomb. His brother-in-law worked for a time at Los Alamos. Julius passes secrets along to the Soviets who at that time were fighting with the U.S. to end fascist rule in Europe. Julius believed by helping the Soviets, he could help stop fascism. Ethel did not have full knowledge of what he was up to and she focused her energy on her two boys and self-improvement. She was definitely the smarter of the two. By the time the trial came about the Soviet’s had changed from friend to foe—the Cold War had begun. Anti- Communist sentiment ruled the day. Ethel’s brother and his wife testified against them in a deal with the government to receive light sentences. Family dynamics is as much part of the story as Their Communist beliefs. I can only see this as an American tragedy. Ethel remained faithful to her husband until the end and thus insured her own end at the hand of state violence. A very compelling book.

I stopped reading this title at 23%.

I enjoy histories that focus on one specific story and use that story to illuminate what is happening in the world around the story. This title promised to do that by telling the story of Ethel Rosenberg.

Unfortunately, the writing style of this title did not deliver on that promise. The writing was very academic in tone, focusing more on the politics around Ethel than on Ethel's story itself.

I found myself drifting away from the story, unable to use Ethel as a throughline to pull me through the history.

You’re probably familiar with the story of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, who went to the electric chair in 1953 for having passed nuclear and other military information to the Soviets during World War II. There is no doubt that Julius was a spy for the USSR, but there have always been questions about whether Ethel was also a participant or merely had knowledge of what Julius was doing.

Julius was arrested in 1950, after physicist Klaus Fuchs confessed that he had passed on information to the Soviets when he was a physicist working to develop the atomic bomb at the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Fuchs’s confession traced a line to David Greenglass, Ethel’s younger brother, who had a low-level job at Los Alamos, and David fingered Julius a contact and the man who recruited him, via David’s wife, Ruth.

By the time of these arrests, anti-Communist fever was at its peak in the US, and prosecutors were out for blood. On their team was the to-be-infamous Roy Cohn. When Julius Rosenberg refused to admit to being a Communist or a spy, or to give information about his contacts, the prosecution team used David and Ruth to put increased pressure on him by having them change their testimony to draw Ethel into the scheme. Soon Ethel, a homemaker with two small boys, was jailed as well. Like Julius, she refused to cooperate, even though she was agonized about her sons.

After an appallingly conducted trial, the Rosenbergs were convicted in early 1951. The judge, who could fairly be described as strongly pro-prosecution, sentenced them to death. Even J. Edgar Hoover had doubts about the wisdom of executing a mother of young children and, not surprisingly, the sentence sparked worldwide protests. But protests, pleas for clemency, and appeals were to no avail and the Rosenbergs were executed in the electric chair at Sing Sing Prison on June 19, 1953.

In the years since her death, Ethel Rosenberg has fascinated many writers from Sylvia Plath to playwright Tony Kushner, whose Angels in America fantasizes an encounter between Ethel’s ghost and Roy Cohn as he is dying of AIDS. Now Anne Sebba attempts to provide insight into Ethel’s character and actions. We learn a good deal about Ethel’s childhood with a cold mother who much preferred David. While David was unintelligent and lazy, Ethel was scholarly and burned with ambition. But when she met Julius, she was happy to marry and settle into homemaking and being a mother, as was expected in the 1950s.

In recent years, a good deal of additional information has come out about the Rosenbergs, via the release of information in the US and in decrypted intercepts with Soviet intelligence. The information confirmed that Julius was, indeed, a spy for the USSR, though at a time when they were allies of the US. But there is no confirmation that Ethel had any active role in the spy ring. What’s more, the released information makes it clear that David and Ruth perjured themselves when they accused Ethel of being involved. Sebba describes how David and Ruth became jealous of the smarter and better-off Rosenbergs and were easily persuaded to save themselves by throwing Ethel to the Red-hunting wolves.

I appreciate getting to know more about Ethel Rosenberg in this book. It really bothers me, though, that it seems as if Julius Rosenberg did little to try to save his wife, even though by all accounts they had a devoted marriage, and if both were executed their sons would be orphaned. As disgusting as I thought David was to throw his sister under the bus to save himself and his wife (who was actually actively involved in the spy ring), at least it’s understandable that he wanted to save his wife.

A lesson from this book that resonates today is how the public can be whipped up into a hysterical frenzy of fear and hatred, which sweeps through politics, the judiciary and government. Truth and justice are sacrificed so that a twisted fairy tale of good and evil can be told. Ethel Rosenberg’s story is, indeed, an American tragedy. Have we learned anything from it?

I read Ethel Rosenberg with great interest. Before reading this biography, I had never explored the background of Ethel. Sebba does a good job of explaining her history as well as Julius’. I found the acrimony between she and her mother, Tessie, and the acrimony between she and the Greenglasses of particular interest. The trial part was very interesting to read. I think the Rosenbergs had a more fair trial than what I had previously believed. I didn’t agree with some of the author’s assertions. She also had a tendency to assume some of her suppositions were fact, especially with Ray Crohn, such as how he was thinking and reasons for his actions. Reading this book didn’t alter my opinions, but I appreciated the early life stories of each.

This opens with the executions. Julian first, then Ethel. Never recanting, they calmly walk to their death.
This whole trial was built on fear and assumptions. It made me crazy.
I saw no evidence that they should of been executed.
Ethels life was difficult and she was always worthy of love. And the way her family treated her broke my heart. This was hard for me because it was real and I just can’t believe it happened, in America.
The author did an amazing job walking me through Ethel’s life. The writing was great and I can only hope as Americans that we’ve learned something from this terrible travesty.
Thanks St. Martin’s Press via Netgalley.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, St. Martin’s Press and author Anne Sebba for gifting me with an ARC of Ethel Rosenberg, An American Tragedy. In exchange I offer my unbiased review.

The title says it all/ An American Tragedy. Ethel Rosenberg’s only “crime” was being a devoted wife to Julius Rosenberg, a known communist sympathizer. This book is an in depth study of Ethel’s life, beginning with her sad childhood on the Lower East Side to the final seconds of her life. Still today, Ethel remains the ONLY women in US history put to death for a non violent crime. The biggest victims in this story are Ethel’s two young sons, left orphaned by a corrupt government and a country overtaken by political paranoia. This book was dense, filled with so many shocking details, it really broke my heart. Justice was not served and the real criminals, Ethel’s own family, have blood on their hands. I split this book between print and audio. Both were excellent. Strongly recommended for lovers of history, biography, scandal and Jewish interest.

Guilty upon association

Ethel was a child of Jewish immigrants. She felt unloved by her mother who only had time for her young brothers. Growing up she adored her younger brother David and often read stories to him. Ethel wanted to be an actor and a singer. She met Julius Rosenberg at a Union benefit event. Ethel was singing at the event, but she had a attack of nerves. Julius had noticed Ethel before and when she told him how nervous she was he took her to a room and had her rehearse just for him. They were inseparable from then on. They married and eventually had two sons.

Ethel and Julius were communists and often had meetings in their home but it was never proven that Ethel attended or participated in these meetings.

Julius was proven to be a Soviet Spy and had recruited others to be spies. There was no real evidence that Ethel was a part of the spy ring, nor that she knew about it. They were both arrested and tried for espionage. Edith's brother David gave testimony that she was guilty along with Julius. This testimony was enough to garner the death sentence for Edith. Her two young songs were left orphans.

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were the only two Americans put to death during peacetime for conspiracy to commit espionage. Ethel is the only woman ever executed for a crime other than murder in the U.S

This was a very interesting time in history, I had heard the term McCarthyism, but I did not understand what it meant. After reading this book I think I now understand a bit about McCarthyism. I really enjoyed reading it and I would recommend it.

Thanks to Anne Sebba, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley, for a complimentary copy of this book. "Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

A great biography of am important historical figure. Anne Sebba presents Ethel's story- her hope and dreams brought up short by the moment in time she found herself in. It will make you view the whole Cold War in a different light.

I was given an advanced reading copy of this book by NetGalley.com in return for a fair review. The story of Ethel Rosenberg is a sad dissertation on American justice. Ethel Rosenberg was a victim of the times--the early fifties when women were expected to keep house and the nation was rattled by the Cold War with Russia. Julius Rosenberg was arrested for treason when it was discovered that he handed over top secret information concerning the atomic bomb to Russian agents. Julius did not act alone and others were also arrested including his wife, Ethel. There was never any real proof that Ethel participated in the conspiracy, but officials hoped to use her as leverage in order to persuade Julius to confess. He did not. Both Rosenbergs were convicted based on testimony from Ethel's brother who later admitted that he lied under oath to save himself and his wife As a result, Ethel and her husband were executed leaving two small boys orphaned. Author Anne Sebba tells the heartbreaking story of a woman who remains loyal to her husband until the very end. To the public, Ethel was not a sympathetic character. Her cool demeanor and plain dress did nothing to enhance her image. She was vilified simply by her 'plainness', as well as her association with Julius. Even the Jewish community was split when it came to the Rosenbergs--some thought they were victims while others believed them both guilty. Their lawyers, although dedicated to their clients, were ill-equipped to take on the U.S. government. Even the judge (also Jewish) was biased. And then there was the dubious attorney Roy Cohn (before he teamed up with Senator McCarthy) who was part of the prosecution team. What is really hard to understand, however, is why they were both sentenced to death. Many others were arrested, tried and convicted (including Ethel's brother--his wife who was also involved in the conspiracy was never even charged). They served their sentences and returned to society so why were the Rosenberg's singled out to die? Sebba does a good job humanizing both Julius and Ethel, which makes their story all the more tragic. This was an excellent book, but profoundly disturbing to realize that if Ethel was guilty of anything it was the fact that she loved her husband.

5 stars
Ethel Rosenberg An American Tragedy
By Anne Sebba

I was unfamiliar with the tragic life of Ethel Rosenberg. This book was a fascinating read. The U.S. was obsessed with potential communism and traitors within our midst; and in a quest to root out any of these communist spies Ethel Rosenberg was arrested, tried, convicted and executed. Unfortunately, she was innocent. This whole tragedy seems so unfathomable.
The author has done a remarkable job of showing Ethel as a real person who loved her children, adored her husband and believed in the value of communism yet was not a spy. The amount of research that went into this book is quite remarkable and even better it is exceedingly readable. I highly recommend this book. It is not a story I will soon forget.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley.

I was in my teens the first time I heard of Ethel Rosenberg, back in the early 90’s, living in France. I was studying McCarthyism in History and reading The Bell Jar at the same time, and wondered why this woman had been executed for something that she may or may not have done. I didn’t really study the topic in depth after that though, but was really interested in reading this biography of Ethel Rosenberg, written by Anne Sebba, especially as it focuses on Ethel, rather than Ethel and her husband Julius together.
It’s a really good read too! The author does a real deep dive into Ethel’s life, providing an in-depth view into her youth and her upbringing, and then transitioning into her life as an adult, the choices that she makes, and her love and unwavering loyalty to her family. I especially appreciated how the author shows Ethel the human, the real person, the mother, the wife, the daughter, the young lady who would teach herself music and singing and acting… Something that is so often pushed to the wayside whenever the name Ethel Rosenberg is mentioned.
This biography is well-researched and well-written, it can be a little dry at times, but for the most part it flows very well, and captures the reader’s attention to the end.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Ethel Rosenberg's story being told on its own without just bring lumped in with Julius has been long overdue. Even though it's become more obvious over time that he was guilty, it's also become more indisputable that Ethel's life was just used as leverage to get her to testify against her husband and resulted in her unjustified execution. A signal event in a particularly shameful time in American history where we didn't even bother giving lip service to the concept of political freedom.

Bullying starts in the immediate family. If your immediate family bullies you and not protects you, your extended family is not going to do it either. Seeing this, your community is going to take the same stance. If it comes to facing larger population, how you defend yourself will not be important because that larger population is going to take their cue from your community. Because people rather listen to others and copy what majority does instead of forming their own opinion; first doesn't require much, but second actually requires use of brain power

Education is dictated and monitored by the governments. Students are not allowed to learn things that are not vetted by the government. Think about your history lesson. Do you look at events from an objective perspective or do you hate people because they oppressed you or feel superior to them because you won a war? Again because people rather listen to others and copy what majority does instead of forming their own opinion; first doesn't require much, but second actually requires use of brain power

You think that you know people you grew up with or share your bed with or share ever single secret with. Yet one day you will learn that the person you grew up with had a completely different personality, the person who share your bed with cheated on you, the person you shared your secrets with shared nothing with you. But you could swore that you know everything about them. Anyone can betray you and you shouldn't be punished for what you never figured out.

So, that was what happened to Ethel. She grew up with people who favored boys over girl in a community where educated girls were branded as headstrong commies by people who did not even know what communism is, but they heard it's bad... When she tried to establish herself, she was dragged into a mess by her husband and her brother. She didn't know much to save herself while keeping her values and beliefs. Sure she knew about what her husband was doing but was Julius such an amazing spy who could shake the world order? People still gather and discuss ideas. People still punished and banished for it. All goes back to the following: because people rather listen to others and copy what majority does instead of forming their own opinion; first doesn't require much, but second actually requires use of brain power

Somehow my review disappeared. This is a well written, well researched book about one of my personal passions, the life and death of Ethel Rosenberg. Ever since I heard the TV interrupted with the news bulletin about her (and Julius’) execution by the electric chair, I have read everything written about her and her family. I can confess to being one of the few people who saw the off Broadway show, “The Lovesongs of Ethel Rosenberg.” So, of course I read this book as a reader and a pseudo-scholar., and I found it a complete and insightful story about the sad life of Ethel.

I highly recommend this to reading groups and seminars. The story of her life and death have been touched upon in fiction and non-fiction. Most recently, THE VIXEN; by Francine Prose. If you decide to delve further into their lives, I hope you will find the topic as sad and rich as I have.

Thank you Netgalley for this emotional and fulfilling read.

Everyone who hears the name Ethel Rosenberg tends to think of the woman convicted of the crime of conspiracy to commit espionage for passing atomic secrets to the Soviets during and after World War II, and who was subsequently executed for her crimes. Many people don’t think of the Ethel Rosenberg who was a daughter, a dedicated mother, a talented singer and performer, and an active participant in political and social causes. In Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy, a new perspective of Ethel is revealed, thanks to new evidence that has come to light in the seventy years since her execution, while also showing what can happen when fear--as opposed to facts and rights--dominates the discussion.

In Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy, Sebba presents a well-researched book that, while at times seeming like a recital of facts, presents a complete picture of Ethel--not just the events surrounding her arrest, trial and execution--and is sure to make the reader question the things that they think they know about the infimous case. Sebba really humanizes Ethel, showing her is a sympathetic light that many are blind to. She shows the strength of Ethel, the loyality she showed her family--even when they didn’t share in that loyality--and the overwhelming love she had for her sons. While I can’t say either way whether I think she is completly innocent and ignorant of the actions for which she was accused and convicted, I can see why she made many of the decisions that she did. Overall it is an interesting read.

I highly reccomend Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy by Anne Sebba to anyone who enjoys nonfiction and has an intrest in, or bias about, the infamous Rosenbergs and their trial. It is sure to make you think and question you notions.

Thank you to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for gifting me an electronic copy of Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy, given in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own.

I think everyone has heard something about the Rosenbergs. Whether it was mentioned in passing, or covered in a class like World Studies in school. The Rosenbergs were known as spies that were sentenced to death, and died by electrocution during the Cold War.
This book goes deeper into the history of Ethel's life from the time of birth to her death. She lived a life of overacheivement, just to push herself to succeed and be everything that her mother said she couldn't be. She was treated very badly by her mother, and the mental abuse she inflicted continued even beyond her death, as her mother attempted to contact the government to condemn her daughter's actions. Even her brother David, who caued his own sister's demise with his admitted lies, still to the day of his death never said a positive think about his sister. The strength that Ethel had is amazing to me as a woman, and mother, and everything she went through. How she remained so calm and stoic is beyond me.
This book also sheds light on how the two of them were executed only to be made an example of by the government. The amount of government officials involved in this was ludicrous. Due to the Cold War, and everything that happened with Hitler and the Holocaust, the government was paranoid of so much and so many, and the tragedy of Ethel Rosenberg was a result.

This is a very well researched and fascinating biography of Ethel Rosenberg who, along with her husband Julius, was tried and convicted of espionage and electrocuted at the height of the cold war in June 1953. I was just a young grade-school student when this happened and I listened to the news reports of it on the radio (no TV yet) when this took place. The story of the Rosenbergs has always fascinated me and I have read numerous books about them over the years. I do feel that this is the best book yet because it focused so much on Ethel; her personality, her upbringing by a cold, uneducated mother, her intelligence and graduating from high school when she was only 15, as well as being very talented. I was not aware that Ethel was such a talented soprano and sang operas as well as being a good actor. I really learned a lot about Ethel that I was not aware of before.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this fascinating book that I did not want to put down. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has been interested in the Rosenbergs as it is a real eye-opener.