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The Gangs of New York: An Informal History of the Underworld
 
 
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The Gangs of New York: An Informal History of the Underworld (Paperback)
by Herbert Asbury (Author), Jorge Luis Borges (Foreword) "THE FIRST of the gangs which terrorized New York at frequent intervals for almost a century were spawned in the dismal tenements that squatted in..." (more)
Key Phrases: stuss game, gang chieftains, smaller gangs, New York, Five Points, Fourth Ward (more...)
  3.9 out of 5 stars 53 customer reviews (53 customer reviews)  

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Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Journalist Asbury pulled this book together from several official sources, including police records as well as unofficial ones such as the rough memories of criminals. True to the title, the book is a history of crime both organized and not that permeated the dirty underbelly of New York City and its boroughs in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Some of these gangs were so vicious they would post signs warning police to stay out of their neighborhoods or else! The 1927 volume is the basis of Martin Scorsese's forthcoming film of the same name starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Titanic heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio, so make sure to have at least one copy on hand. This edition contains numerous illustrations and a foreword by Jorge Luis Borges.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Luc Sante, The New York Review
"Gangs is one of the essential works of the city, as deserving of a permanent place on the shelf . . ."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details
  • Paperback: 420 pages
  • Publisher: Basic Books (October 10, 2001)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1560252758
  • ISBN-13: 978-1560252757
  • Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars 53 customer reviews (53 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #54,780 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #15 in  Books > Nonfiction > Crime & Criminals > Gangs
    #19 in  Books > History > United States > State & Local > Mid-Atlantic
    #61 in  Books > History > United States > State & Local > New York

    (Publishers and authors: Improve Your Sales)
  • Also Available in: Hardcover  |  Paperback  |  Paperback (Large Print) |  All Editions

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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
THE FIRST of the gangs which terrorized New York at frequent intervals for almost a century were spawned in the dismal tenements that squatted in the miasmal purlieus of the Five Points area of the Bloody Ould Sixth Ward, which comprised, roughly, the territory bounded by Broadway, Canal street, the Bowery and Park Row, formerly Chatham street. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
stuss game, gang chieftains, smaller gangs, strong arm squad, street dive, great gangs, waiter girls, rat pit, sneak thieves
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Five Points, Fourth Ward, Paul Kelly, Five Pointers, Hell's Kitchen, East River, Monk Eastman, Paradise Square, Tammany Hall, United States, Civil War, Kid Twist, Dead Rabbits, Mock Duck, City Hall, Bowery Boys, Chatham Square, Kid Dropper, Park Row,