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18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Modern Crime Classic, June 23, 2004
This review is from: Gangster City: The History of the New York Underworld 1900-1935 (Hardcover)
This is an outstanding volume of neglected underworld history. Extremely well written, entertaining, and accurate, this is the best work on the Prohibition era New York underworld since Thompson's and Raymond's "Gang Rule in New York" in 1940 and perhaps the best ever. Hopefully it won't be buried in the deluge of Mafia books currently flooding the country. Almost entirely the product of original research and contemporary records, "Gangster City" shuns such post-Prohibition luminaries as Luciano, Costello and Lansky, who've dominated every volume of Mob history since Valachi, in favor of now forgotten gangland legends such as Monk Eastman, Waxey Gordon, Owney Madden and Larry Fay. The early days of the New York Mafia are covered here right up through the 1930 Castellammarese War (in more detail than ever before), the early 1900's Chinatown tong wars, Frankie Yale, the legendary struggles of Legs Diamond, Dutch Schultz and Vincent "Mad Dog" Coll, the murderous "Pretty" Amburg and his brothers, Bitz and Spitale (who figured in the Lindbergh case), and the truth about the Irish "White Hand". Finally, the career of Louis "Lepke" Buchalter and Murder Inc. is covered in all their gory glory. There's a goldmine of history here. New facts emerge, popular legends are smashed, and there are many rare photos. Especially useful is the list of gangster related addresses. This is a must for students of organized crime.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Side trips in New York gangland galore!, December 26, 2005
This review is from: Gangster City: The History of the New York Underworld 1900-1935 (Hardcover)
Pat Downey has opened the door for New York's underworld wide open with other facets of gangland to be explored.New York is known for the same old gangsters Luciano,Schultz ,Anastasia etc...Downey takes us on side trips to other gangsters just as brawny and vicious as their famous counterparts.
I noticed two reviews who question the author's ability and I say to them, would these two reviewers please show me their published works that they have written?I didn't think so!!!I have read that Mr.Downey gives tours of gangland New York which shows his passion for the subject.
This book speaks for itself! It's a must for any New York gangland buff!
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11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
New York's gangster past revisited, December 7, 2004
This review is from: Gangster City: The History of the New York Underworld 1900-1935 (Hardcover)
What especially impressed me about this book was the plethora of details about the pre World War One gangsters. Pat Downey has done his homework and for that we have a great read.
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