WEST CHESTER, PA — Esteemed journalist and historian Michael Wolraich will visit West Chester University on Thursday, February 27, for a special lecture, book signing, and reception centered around his acclaimed work, The Bishop and the Butterfly: Murder, Politics, and the End of the Jazz Age. The free event will begin at 3:30 p.m. in the Philips Autograph Library, located in the Philips Memorial Building at 700 South High Street.
Wolraich’s visit coincides with the University Museum’s current exhibition, Roaring in Secret: Subversion and Change in the 1920s, an exploration of cultural and political transformation during the Jazz Age. The lecture promises to offer insights into Wolraich’s riveting true-crime narrative, which examines corruption within the early New York Police Department in the 1930s. The investigation, triggered by the discovery of a woman’s body, uncovered a web of misconduct that toppled years of entrenched political power in New York City.
Through his intricate storytelling, Wolraich sheds light on the complex intersections of crime, politics, and culture in the 1920s and 1930s. His work also draws parallels to modern political climates, encouraging reflection and discourse on contemporary issues.
The Bishop and the Butterfly has captured widespread critical acclaim. It has been featured in Untapped New York’s Best NYC Books of All Time, Washington Independent Review of Books’ Our Favorite Books of 2024, and CrimeReads’ Best Reviewed Books of the Month. The book was also nominated for Best Fact Crime at the 2025 Edgar Allan Poe Awards, further cementing its status as a compelling historical account.
“Michael Wolraich’s book is a fascinating look at the intrigue and subversion in culture and politics of the 1920s – a key idea in the Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology’s newest exhibition,” said Dr. Michael Di Giovine, professor of anthropology and museum studies. “In fact, as soon as we began planning the exhibition, I knew that we had to host him here for a book signing.”
Paperbacks of Wolraich’s book will be available for purchase at the event, providing guests with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of this pivotal era in history.
West Chester University encourages not just students, but members of the surrounding community, to attend. The event promises to enrich attendees’ perspective on a transformative period in American history while fostering a greater appreciation for its relevance today.
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