Customer Reviews

Dillinger: The Untold Story

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The bank robbing spree of John Dilliniger is the work of legends. Never has a single criminal been so intensely targeted by the government. Amid the corruption of Northwest Indiana that allowed Dillinger to break free from jail and prosper, many stories were created. G. Russel Girardin and William J. Helmer attempt to sort the facts in "Dillinger".

The stories of Dillinger are told chronologically based on the facts known at the time Girardin wrote his manuscript. His storytelling is reasonably accurate and entertaining. It follows Dillinger from his youth to the dissolution of his gang after his death. The one objection I have with this book is Helmer's addition. Rather than add new information to Girardin original manuscript, Helmer chooses to tack on additional information at the end of the book in the form of end notes. Obviously, the flow of the reader's continuity is interupted.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to those who are interested in Dillinger. The world may never know the whole truth, but the most accepted version of the truth is here.

Contrary to what one anonymous reviewer from Indianapolis, who obviously did not read the book, has written, there are no invented stories in this book. None of the facts have been changed except for revision of erroneous old popular legends. What's more, the book was not written by "I.U. Profs." I know because I helped with the research. Unlike the speculative fiction of Jay Robert Nash, this is about as close to the truth on Dillinger as we're ever likely to get.

Dillinger : The Untold Story by G. Russell Girardin, William J. Helmer is by far one of the best stories written about the John Dillinger Gang. Based on a Girardin's 600 page manuscript written in the 1930's as well as an extraordinary insight by Helmer. The book gives a detailed look at the inside facts and events surrounding John Dillinger's last days and the aftermath that follows. This very resourceful book includes the locations of Dillinger haunts in Chicago. I highly recommend this book.

Newly revised and expanded Giradin-Helmer classic, skillfully edited with the assistance of premier crime historian, Rick Mattix..A well-crafted telling of the life and crimes of America's most notorious criminal icon. Cram-packed with new information (40 pages) and told directly from the mouths of the outlaw's family, lawyer, and associates. This fast-paced and entertaining book truly represents the holy grail for Dillinger aficionados."

Using new data gathered from personal interviews and ancient FBI files, Girardin and Helmer have crafted the most complete and accurate biography we're likely to see on Depression America's foremost public enemy. A virtual "Dead Sea scrolls" of Dillingeriana!

In my opinion, one of the best and most underrated books written to date about John Dillinger. I picked up a copy by chance several years ago, not expecting much, and was soon totally engrossed. I feel that most of the contents are accurate (and certainly never before revealed in any published accounts I ever read) and I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in the Dillinger saga.

This is Dillinger, from early childhood through his notorious days. The book captures everything you'd expect from a biography and gives the gangster enthusiasts enough mouth-watering drama. I love the timelines! Being from the midwest, I recognized many of the towns he targeted so this is a must read for fellow midwesterners and highly recommended for everyone else!

A great updated book on the subject of John Dillinger, good fresh approach with new items.
Wonderful research from two of crime history's masters: Helmer & Mattix !
Just get it-
Sandy Jones
John Dillinger Historical Society & Outlaw Museum

Most of this book was written in 1935 after extensive interviews with Dillinger's lawyer Louis Piquett and Art O'Leary, Piquett's guy friday who became a gopher for the gang. Some of the story was sold as an installment piece that ran in a newspaper for a number of months.

Because most everyone in the underworld who played a part in Dillinger's story was still alive in 1935, the truth behind his escape from Crown Point and the facts leading up to his killing were changed to protect the author, G. Russell Girardin. The interviews turned into a manuscript and for various reasons it was never published. Fast foward fifty-five years. Girardin, now pushing 90, was found by author and Public Enemy historian William J. Helmer, and the manuscript "rediscovered". All underworld participants and dirty cops are dead so the truth about the parts that they played in the Dillinger saga can now be told.

Because of O'Leary's connections with Dillinger, as well as Van Meter, Nelson and others, we actually get to hear the desperados themselves speak as O'Leary relays what he was told during his interactions with them. So we not only get first hand accounts of bank jobs, killngs and escapes, [instead of rehashings from newspapers], we also get to see the day to day lives of these hoodlums. What went on during plastic surgeries, robbery planning sessions, payoffs etc. Things that could only be revealed by someone on the inside.

My 1st "Dillinger" book and boy...it was a good one. I enjoyed the book and especially all the little extra facts etc. located in in the back.
I highly recommend!