What is the theme in An American Hero: The True Story of Charles a. Lindbergh by Barry Denenberg?

One important theme is that which is remembered at the Crime of the Century. Denenberg demonstrates that the Crime of the Century, the Lindbergh baby kidnapping, was not just a tragedy for the family and the unfortunate infant, but a tragedy in the way it was handled from beginning to end. The press was merciless, turning the Lindbergh's town into a circus, and ruining the crime scene and chances of apprehending the criminal with their invasion. The lead investigator, Colonel Schwarzkopf, was an army man with little to no police training, and thus his team made several missteps with the investigation. Schwarzkopf also deferred much too often to Lindbergh himself, who guided (and harmed) several elements of the investigation. The investigation was extremely convoluted and unfocused, with John Condon and Mickey Rosner starring as battling intermediaries to the kidnappers, attempting to communicate messages in newspapers.

Once the police got a solid lead on the kidnapper - the traceable gold certificates on the ransom money - they fared little better. They caused one woman, Violet Sharpe, to commit suicide because of harsh interrogation tactics, and they subjected the lead suspect, Bruno Hauptmann, to similar tactics. Many historians suggest that the police manufactured evidence or cut other corners in order to ensure a conviction. And the trial of Hauptmann had every bit the circus atmosphere as the initial investigation along with a buffoonish lead defense attorney and dubious testimony from eyewitnesses and experts.