The Vendetta: FBI Hero Melvin Purvis's War Against Crime, and J. Edgar Hoover's War Against Him (Hardcover)

by Alston Purvis (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Purvis's fascinating story of his father, once internationally famous for his role in the violent takedown of John Dillinger and now an obscure figure, limns a true American tragedy. The senior Purvis's meteoric rise to prominence at the FBI, just coming into its own, placed the genteel lawyer at the center of the war on crime that gripped the nation in the early 1930s. His enthusiasm and dedication caught the notice of FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, who promoted him repeatedly and gave him more and more serious responsibilities. But Hoover's pettiness and paranoia led him to turn on his protégé, even reaching out decades after Purvis's departure from the Bureau to block him from other jobs. The book's impact is lessened somewhat by florid writing ("Something evil came to Wellsville in the dead of night"). Purvis (with People magazine writer Tresniowski) could have compensated for the existence of rival narratives such as Bryan Burrough's definitive Public Enemies by dwelling more on his own memories of his father, rather than giving details of manhunts for gangsters, but he succeeds in giving Melvin Purvis the accolades he deserves. Illus. not seen by PW.
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From Booklist
Melvin Purvis (whom the media dubbed "Nervous Purvis" for his self-described shaking during the long wait for John Dillinger to emerge from the Biograph Theater before Dillinger was gunned down) was celebrated during the Depression as America's hero in the War on Crime. Purvis was the FBI agent deemed most responsible for capturing "Public Enemies" Dillinger, Pretty Boy Floyd, and Baby Face Nelson. Few people remember Purvis now, largely because, according to his son, Edgar Hoover directed a 25-year smear campaign against the right-hand man who outshone him. This argument's power stems from the care with which the authors delineate Purvis' crime-fighting career; the details of how Purvis hunted America's Public Enemies (especially Dillinger's last hours at the Biograph) are fascinating in themselves and prepare the reader to accept the son's premise that Hoover's jealousy haunted Purvis for the rest of his life. Gripping reading for true-crime fans. Connie Fletcher
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: PublicAffairs; Stated 1st Edition edition (October 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1586483013
• ISBN-13: 978-1586483012
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #58,089 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!!! Finally the truth comes out!, November 1, 2005

By	M. Koch "Mike" (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews

This new book called "The Vendetta" by Alex Tresinowski (People magazine writer) and Alston Purvis (Son of FBI agent Melvin Purvis) finally gets to the truth of the matter. Melvin Purvis, once the FBI's once famous agent, tragically took his own life, several years after leaving the FBI. This new book tells of Hoover's 25-year smear campaign against his once right-hand man, who simply was getting more publicity than Hoover. Due to this tactic by Hoover, few people remember Melvin Purvis, according to his son. This book tells the story of Melvin's crime-figting career and details his manhunts of America's one time "Public Enemies," during the years of the "Great Depression." Most importantly the last hours of John Dillinger's life at the Biograph theatre in Chicago are described in detail. The authors write a fasinating story, which prepares the readers to accept the son's premise that Hoover's own jealously of Melvin Purvis haunted Purvis the rest of his life. This book finally gives Melvin Purvis the accolades he so richly deserves. I would recommend it to all readers.

Mike Koch, Author of "The Kimes Gang."

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Better Than Expected, October 24, 2007

By	Michael A. Coluccio (New York, N.Y.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. "The Vendetta" reveals the vindictive jealousy harbored by J. Edgar Hoover toward the legendary G-man Melvin Purvis because the Director felt that Mr. Purvis was garnering too much favorable publicity for the success of the FBI's battle against crime during the Thirties. That alone is fascinating, since it brings to light the demons which haunted Mr. Hoover throughout his life. Of equal interest, I felt, was the authors' vivid description of the Midwestern crime wave itself, and the colorful outlaws who blasted their way into infamy. All in all, a very good read, much better than I had anticipated.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing truthful account, March 19, 2006

By	C. Goodwin "ChrispyCFA05" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This wonderful book is the history of Melvin Purvis' rise and fall as it really happened from the foremost authority--his son. Alston does a tremendous job of covering all aspects of Melvin's personal and professional conflicts. The writing is very detailed, a bit dry at times, but just as things get a bit too dry Alston whops you with major change in the story, a turning point that keeps you turning the pages for more. This book is perfect for anyone who loves true crime, american history in the 20th century, or just a great american story.