Customer Reviews

Black Gangsters of Chicago

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is better as a reference work than as a "read" because it suffers from a lack of focus. The period of black organized crime in Chicago from the 1920s through the 40s seems rushed, and the turbulent period of the 60s and 70s comes off as no more than a newspaper article. As a Chicago news editor at the time, I often wished there were a book on the subject: this surely is not it. The author never comes to grip with the relevance and terror of the Black P Stone Nation and the El Rukns, or with the nature of street gangs as drug networks, and the latter-day policy wheels are forgotten. I'd give the book a "C."

This book starts at the begining of the black gangs of Chicago. Any law enforcement agent, gang specialist, and those interested in the gangs of Chicago must read this book. Many of the people I know in this book and the information is very accurate. The author did a great job on education us about the soldiers, the leaders, how the hierarchy went and exactly what a gang does. It doesn't matter to me if they are black or white, they follow the same roots. A person of Illinois would love this book and especially someone of Chicago. It describes coming up from poverty the wrong way. A very good read. It's a keeper you won't sell.

The book is well written but it is too pro-Chicago. It leaves out important details about the compromises made in the Justice Department. The author is protecting his friends at the expense of the crime victims.

Rapper Rick Ross just namedropped Chicago GD legend Larry Hoover in verse and you can read about him in Ron's book, which chronicles all of Chi-Town's black gangsters. This book is like that. Check out more black gangsters in Street Legends from Gorilla Convict Publications.

I FELT THAT THE BOOK (BLACK GANGSTERS OF CHICAGO) IS VERY GOOD. IT'S IN GOOD DETAIL AND I ENJOY READING EVERYTHING THAT WAS WRITTEN. VERY ACCURATE! I'VE LIVED IN CHICAGO ALL MY LIFE AND HAVE LIVED IN CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAD GANG ACTIVITY ON BOTH SIDES OF GANG TERRITORY. IT WAS HORRIBLE TO SEE GOOD CHILDREN KILLED OR GANGS SHOOTING AT OTHER GANGS THAT WOULD COME IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. I MOVED TO NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WOULD ACTUALLY CALL POLICE AND WAS'NT SCARED TO DO IT, TO PROTECT WHERE THEY LIVED.

I found Ron Chepesiuk's book an interesting read. I always knew that Chicago was the "second city" (to New York) when it came to organized crime, but not until I read this book did I realize the level of gang activity (along with the Genesis of the 'Black' Gangs). Let's be frank, the people detailed within these pages (black and white) lived interesting lives. From the 'policy wheel' folks who, in some cases, made fortunes, to the times when the MOB moved in on them, to the teenagers that run the Chicago streets today. I am glad that there are former members that are willing to try and help turn some of the people around, but, as stated at the end of the book - as long as there are economic issues that keep these kids from getting decent jobs and making a decent living, the lure of the gangs will be there...

Something to think about.

I also realize that some of the reviewers are a little more critical of the substance of the book (and it's author), but, I found the book got the job done. This was written for the "average joe" to read. Written effectively and even tersely, when required. It got the job done - the message came across. It kept my attention.

I recommend it for reading. It'll open your eyes!

I rate "Black Gangsters of Chicago": 5 stars!

P.S., Watch your kids, pre-teens and teenagers - closely, for it can happen to them! (and to you!)

Black Gangsters of Chicago is a true crime chronicle of Chicago's legendary and infamous black criminals. John "Mushmouth" Johnson, Jeff Fort, and Larry Hoover may not have been as publicly high-profile as Al Capone, but their deed were just as brutal and notorious. From brief biographies of prominent black gangsters, to their connections to La Cosa Nostra and its assimilation of the numbers racket, to the fascinating (and disturbing) tale of how gangs carried out their business while behind bars, Black Gangsters of Chicago is a thorough exploration of an oft-overlooked aspect of the seedier side of Chicago's past. A recommended and worthy addition to true crime shelves.