Some examples of Dracos’ attacks:
- “God knows where Madalyn came up with her outfit for the Supreme Court, but it appeared to be a Cassini knockoff — a hideous one that could only catalyze suicidal ideation in the original designer. ...The bulky coat, accentuating the mass of Madalyn’s figure, was a buttonless and beltless faux sable — an even sadder replica of what rich, middle-aged Palm Beach matron might throw over her shoulders for an air-conditioned cocktail party.”
- "Yes, Madalyn was alleged to be horny as hell, but it may not have been physical need so much as the need to quench her vanity. Doubtless she desired to assure herself that not only was she an Atheist Amazon of the highest historical significance, but was still a hot chick too."
Just how venomous the book can be is partially revealed through the venom of some of the reviews. Consider:
- "Madeline Murray O'Hair won. She had it all, until forces as dark as her own took it away —permanently. Ted Dracos's intimate portrait of one of the most extraordinarily evil women of our time is a brilliant and historic tale of horror, greed — and poetic justice. The dark lady triumphed over institutions, tradition, and religion. She thumbed her nose at the law and public sentiment. The pudgy devil in a housedress raised unholy hell on earth. Feted by notorious celebrities, infamous and rich, she brought only chaos, disaster, and death to those around her. She denied the existance of both heaven and hell until the end, when the latter overtook her here on earth. Ungodly ushers the reader on an odyssey deep into the dark heart of evil." — Edna Buchanan, Pulitzer prize-winning journalist and author of The Corpse Had A Familiar Face and The Ice Maiden
I‘m sorry, was this supposed to be a biography of Hitler or Stalin and I just didn’t realize it?
As I noted above, Madalyn was no saint and it’s only right that people learn more about her real character and behavior; but when we read a book about “Murder of Atheist Madalyn Murray O'Hair” and find that the victim comes in for far more abuse and criticism than the men who kidnapped, imprisoned, strangled, cut up, and buried three people, there’s something deeply wrong. Noting once that she was unconcerned about dressing nicely is fair for a biography, but constantly coming back for gratuitous swipes are her “huge” dresses and “greasy” appearance is not journalism — it’s schoolyard taunting.
The one good thing about the book is that, after reading it, you’ll know never to live in Austin, Texas, no matter what. To say that the police handling of her disappearance was “incompetent” would be a disservice to profoundly incompetent people all over the world. According to Dracos, the police refused to investigate thefts at the American Atheists’ offices — probably because it involved atheists and O’Hair — when doing so might have led to the arrest of David Waters before he murdered.
After her disappearance, the same officers hardly lifted a finger and even refused to look at all the evidence collected by outside investigators. Police aren’t perfect but after reading about their casual, almost deliberate ineptness I could barely contain myself. For a few moments, I forgot just how bad the book was.
Ironically, it was only because of her oldest son, who long before had converted to evangelical Christianity, that the case was finally solved. Not only did he care but, because of his conversion and evangelical ministry, he had powerful political connections he could call upon. Once he was informed about the evidence that the Austin police dismissed, he made some phone calls and the wheels of justice began to slowly grind forward. If it hadn’t been for him, her murder might still be unsolved.
Ted Dracos‘ hatchet job (I shouldn’t call it a biography because it fails to do the one thing a good biography must: help us understand the central figure) is, without question, very well written. He is as skilled with words as he is with insults and were it employed to good use, it would be something to respect. As it is, the book he did write doesn’t have enough to make it worth recommending.
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