Review: Little Pink House
Susette Kelo survived a troubled childhood and two unhappy marriages and had decided to start her life all over again. She bought a little cottage near the Thames River in the Fort Trumbull neighborhood of New London, Connecticut. She worked on the house, even sanding the hardwood floors by hand. At around the same time, Claire Gaudiani was appointed chairman of the New London Development Corporation. Claire decided that Pfizer Corporation should locate their new research and development headquarters on the Thames River in New London and would stop at nothing to get her way. Once she talked Pfizer into it, she had to acquire all of the land she wanted for the project. The New London Development Corporation persuaded the city of New London to give them eminent domain and they went after the Fort Trumbull neighborhood. In the past, eminent domain had been used to build roads or schools or hospitals – now, it was being used to chase out homeowners for a private development that would pay more tax dollars.
Little Pink House: A True Story of Defiance and Courage by Jeff Benedict is the story of Susette Kelo and the Fort Trumbull neighborhood and their fight against eminent domain. This case went all the way to the United States Supreme Court.
I listened to this audio book and thought it was fantastic. It is read by Maggi-Meg Reed and she does a phenomenal job. There is a lot of legal information in this book, but it is written so that the average person can understand it. I found myself admiring the people who stood their ground and fought and I found myself really angry at the New London Development Corporation and their bullying tactics.
To enter my giveaway for this audio book, click here.
Review copy provided by Hachette Books.
Sounds interesting and important! I’ll add Reed to my list of good narrators.
I well remember that story, but I can’t say that I knew what the final outcome was. Did the neighbors win? Did they? 😉
Sounds like a really good book Kathy. I will have to add it to my TB pile. Hope you have a good Friday. 🙂
What an interesting topic. I’m glad the book was good. I’ll have to check it out.
This was a landmark case in preserving the rights of residents, and limiting the power of local governments, so I’m glad someone wrote about it. Your review makes me want to read — or at least listen to — it. The ruling has been used in Baltimore to knock down at least one city development proposal, so it’s having and impact far beyond my home state of Connecticut.
I think this one looks really interesting. My dad would probably enjoy it.
i remember reading about this case. Sounds like a good book to read or listen to!
I like underdog stories. Glad you enjoyed this one. It also helps that the reader did such a good job with it. That’s a dealbreaker for me if the reader doesn’t hold my interest.
This sounds like a very interesting book. It is commendable that some one had the courage to stand up to a big corporation like pfizer.. it is important that such stories come to light.. thanks for the amazing review!
Great review Kathy. This does sound good. It does sound like one I’d rather listen to than read though.
I’ve always been horrifyingly intrigued by the concept of eminent domain. Sounds interesting!
I enjoyed your review, and I look forward to reading this book! I grew up in that part of Connecticut so I’m familiar with the setting. As a former journalist, I wrote about eminent domain issues involving other communities and it has always intrigued me. I believe eminent domain should be rarely used, and when I heard about this case, I followed it to see what would happen. Now I’ll be able to get the full story!
This book sounds great!
I’m not sure I could read this without it making me really angry. These poor people lost everything 😦
Sounds fantastic. I am sure would press my anger button too.. However it sounds like a really significant story. Thanks for the review. I will be looking out for this one.
I have to find out what happened! Did David beat Goliath? I’ll be adding this to my wish list; thanks for the tempting review, Kathy.
Oh yea, I’m VERY interested in reading this.
What a great review Kathy – thanks for sharing the great story. It sounds like one of those stories that should end up a movie!
🙂 Wendi
This sounds like an interesting one. Nice review!
Hi…I’d love to be entered in your giveaway for this book. It sounds like a great read. I enjoyed your review as well as browsing your blog which I signed up for. I don’t have a blog…yet, but its something I’m considering since I love to read.
Thank you!
Sandy
I grew up a couple towns away from New London. I had to write about this case for work. It’s very interesting.
I loved this book as well!