THE BASEMENT: Meditations On A Human Sacrifice by Millett, Kate - 1979

New York: Simon & Schuster, 1979. Book Club, First Edition Thus. . Hardcover. Fine/Very Good. Millett, a Feminist writer and sculptor, is probably best-known for her first book, "Sexual Politics," which had a major impact on American culture and society in the 1970s. The True Crime 1965 torture and murder of 16-year-old Sylvia Likens in an Indianapolis basement by a gang of teenagers led by Gertrude Baniszewski, the woman supposed to be caring for Sylvia and her younger sister, had a similar impact upon Millett herself. "The Basement" is the story of this crime, played and replayed in Millet's mind and thoughts from a variety of perspectives -- the basic facts of the crime, possible motivations and rationalizations of Baniszewski and the gang members, even the imagined reflections and reactions of the victim. It is not the typical, objective, nothing-but-the facts true crime account. It is an artist's reaction to an exceedingly cruel and inhumane crime committed by very ordinary people. 341 pages plus an Afterword and several pages of black & white photos. Boards and text show a touch of shelf wear, o/w clean and unmarked, tight and square, not remaindered. The dustjacket shows some surface and edgewear, with a tiny tear at the top of the spine. No major tears, no chipping or creasing.