Eliot Ness: The Rise and Fall of an American Hero, is an extensive and comprehensive overview of the trials and tribulations of Eliot Ness spanning acEliot Ness: The Rise and Fall of an American Hero, is an extensive and comprehensive overview of the trials and tribulations of Eliot Ness spanning across the his crime fighting start in prohibition era Chicago to his less glamorous positions in private enterprise.
Much like The Girls of Murder City, author Douglas Perry delves deep into this famed and violent history of 1920's and 30's America to provide an insight outside of the famous mobsters who were responsible for blood on the pavement and ink in the headlines.
Eliot Ness was a complicated, ambitious, and somewhat promiscuous man who led three public lives; the prohibition agent, the Cleveland Safety Director, and later, a Cleveland Mayor candidate, this book details each of his plights in easy-to-detail which ultimately delivers a well rounded and subjective account of Ness.
My rating: 5/5 stars. I learnt so much about Eliot Ness by reading this that I wasn't previously aware of. A must read for fans of prohibition era USA and the aftermath....more
This book was disappointing. Don't be fooled by the title and synopsis; Chicago, has little to do with gangsters in the windy city during the prohibitThis book was disappointing. Don't be fooled by the title and synopsis; Chicago, has little to do with gangsters in the windy city during the prohibition era, rather, author David Mamet focuses his slow moving and oftentimes sleep-inducing plot on a former WWI pilot, now journalist, Mike, who pines for an attractive florist only to loose her in a hail of bullets.
Dialogue heavy, the audiobook was hard to follow at times; there are a number of bit players who pop up and then disappear, adding nothing but confusion and contributing to the boredom.
My rating: 2/5. The pieces were there but the puzzle just didn't come together. I liked the sudden impact of the murder of Annie Walsh, Mikes' love interest and the thin connections to organised crime but didn't enjoy the journalistic focus and tedious pace. ...more
The life and times notorious Chicago gangster Al Capone throughout the roaring twenties during prohibition America have always fascinated me.
While hiThe life and times notorious Chicago gangster Al Capone throughout the roaring twenties during prohibition America have always fascinated me.
While his rein of terror was far less than his legacy, Capone's Chicago left an everlasting impression on mainstream America and abroad; movies, books, and countless newspaper articles attest to the fact.
Author Jonathan Eig's Get Capone is extensively researched, loaded with facts to support or debunk the fiction surrounding the bootlegger/brother owner/racetrack investor/murderer by proxy that is Al Capone.
One of the great things about this book is the equal page time spread between the lawless and lawful which provides a powerful insight into the corrupt, the criminals, and the untouchables during a bloody time in the annals of American history.
My rating: 5/5 stars. You can't read about the roaring twenties without reading about Al Capone. Get Capone goes to great lengths to provide insight into one of the most memorable criminals in history through a reader friendly narrative that's immediately accessible to readers new to the period and those familiar with the subject matter. ...more
I love prohibition-era crime and this book really captures that period in time with the plot revolving around Jimmy Quinn, the owner of a speakeasy prI love prohibition-era crime and this book really captures that period in time with the plot revolving around Jimmy Quinn, the owner of a speakeasy profiteering off the sale of illegal alcohol.
Author Michael Mayo's New York is brimming with corrupt cops, gangsters, and femme fatales - all of whom find their way to Jimmy's speak for one reason or another. All of whom bring trouble in one form or another.
Bombings, brawls, money, and murder are commonplace in Jimmy's line of work and a constant threat to his livelihood. However, among this mayhem are clearly defined characters with interesting stories and a plot that has many threads weaved cleverly together to deliver an enjoyable and entertaining read.
EVERYBODY GOES TO JIMMY'S is a sequel and, as a reader not familiar with the first series installment, I was pleasantly surprised as the book reads very well as a stand alone, providing plenty of backstory to add context to the current day setting. I will, however, track down a copy of the first book, given I enjoyed this one so much.
I love prohibition era gangster stories – LIVE BY NIGHT is perhaps one of the best there is. The main character Joe Coughlin, a self proclaimed outlawI love prohibition era gangster stories – LIVE BY NIGHT is perhaps one of the best there is. The main character Joe Coughlin, a self proclaimed outlaw brings a refined sense of thugernomics to Tampa’s Latin Quarter. As much as Joe’s prerogative is to make cash in the rum trade, it’s his drive at the hands of a broken heart that gives him is fire and determination on the path to damnation.
LIVE BY NIGHT is a deeply character driven story. Joe, a son of a prominent Boston police officer turns his back on the lawful life and teams with a couple of young thugs for petty stick-ups and minor offenses. The path towards being one of the most feared and respected gangsters forms when three police officers are gunned down following a robbery. Joe does hard time where he meets an old gangster who changes his life for ever.
Upon release Joe is given a head post in the organisation where he quickly assumes the mantle of top Don by show of force and smarts. However, the semi peaceful existence soon comes crashing down in a hail of bullets splattering the pavements a sticky red and causing Joe to own his reputation and embrace the violent lifestyle of a gangster.
There are so many positives to this book. As a fan of the period and genre, it ticks all the boxes.
The Girls of Murder City provides an interesting insight into the prohibition era murderesses who painted Chicago red with their wares and bullets thrThe Girls of Murder City provides an interesting insight into the prohibition era murderesses who painted Chicago red with their wares and bullets throughout the 1920's; leaving blushed faces on the living and blood spatter on the dead.
Douglas Perry's true crime account of the real-life characters who inspired the Chicago musical is as entertaining as it is head-shake-inducing at the ludicrous laws which walked these dangerous dames.
Primarily centered around Chicago crime reporter Maurine Watkins, 'the prettiest woman ever charged with murder in Chicago' Beulah Annan, and 'queen of Chicago's cabarets..Cook County's most stylish murderess' Belva Gaetner, The Girls of Murder City chronicles a time where a murderess, if pretty could avoid conviction, shining a spotlight on the farce that was the justice system in the age of bootleggers, mobsters, and frustrated reporters (there were 6 daily newspapers in Chicago during this time).
The vast majority of the book is loaded with interesting factoids about the inhabitants of 'murderess row' while the later stages focus on the play Chicago developed by Maurine Watkins and her subsequent years away from Second City which I didn't find as interesting.
My rating: 4/5 stars. The Girls of Murder City is a book which can be read in isolation from the musical, Chicago. If you're looking for something a little different to the mobster tales of prohibition Chicago but still want the grit that comes with that era, then this one is for you. ...more
Prohibition-era Chicago was a dangerous and violent place in the 1920's in which immortalized iconic villains and heroes such as Al Capone, Elliot NesProhibition-era Chicago was a dangerous and violent place in the 1920's in which immortalized iconic villains and heroes such as Al Capone, Elliot Ness, Frank Nitti, Johnny Torrio, Jack McGurn, Beulah Annan, and hard hitting crime reporter Maurine Watkins forged their way into the hearts and minds of people world-wide decades later.
In Chicago Assassin, author Richard J Scmelter switches gears from the popular prohibition narrative involving Al Capone and to a lesser extent Elliot Ness, to focus on one of Capone's top hitmen in 'Machine Gun' Jack McGurn, recounting his violent upbringing which saw him loose two fathers to gangsters only for himself to embark on a life of crime behind the bang of a handgun (McGurn didn't tote a machine gun - this was used by the press as a headline grab to sell papers).
Comprising episodic-like vinaigrette’s of murder capital USA during the prohibition era, Chicago Assassin, whilst not as deep as other prohibition books I've read, provides an interesting and well researched look at some of the characters who made the era what it was, including the pitch perfect pulp headline 'the Blonde Alibi', Lousie Rolfe, McGurns longtime partner.
My rating: 4/5 stars. I've read Chicago Assassin twice now and highly recommend it for readers who are looking to learn more of this violent period in American history which goes beyond Al Capone. ...more
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