Nate Hendley - Böcker

Motivated by greed and sadism—or perhaps by poverty and boredom—star-crossed lovers Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow set out on a series of robberies throughout the American Southwest, many of which ended in murder. Frustrated by the suffocating poverty of the Great Depression, they were especially eager to target their oppressors—banks, store owners, and at times, the police. Their numerous crimes triggered an FBI manhunt, but their Robin-Hood ethos made them heroes in the eyes of many, establishing their place as legends of American folklore. This objective volume paints a realistic picture of often-romanticized subject matter, as it explores the motivation and impact of two of the most notorious criminals in U.S. history.Motivated by greed and sadism—or perhaps by poverty and boredom—star-crossed lovers Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow set out on a series of robberies throught the American Southwest, many of which ended in murder. Frustrated by the suffocating poverty of the Great Depression, they were especially eager to target their oppressors—banks, store owners, and at times, the police. Their numerous crimes triggered an FBI manhunt, but their Robin-Hood ethos made them heroes in the eyes of many, establishing their place as legends of American folklore. This objective volume paints a realistic picture of often-romanticized subject matter, as it explores the motivation and impact of two of the most notorious criminals in U.S. history.Colorful narrative chapters explore the lives of Bonnie and Clyde in vivid detail, giving insight into the fear of a country gripped by Depression-era poverty, and the public's endless fascination with those that live on the outside of the law. Ready-reference features such as a timeline and glossary round out the work's accessibility, making this an ideal resource for students of American history and popular culture.

A detailed compendium of American gangsters and gangs from the end of the Civil War to the present day.American Gangsters, Then and Now: An Encyclopedia ranges from Western outlaws revered as Robin Hoods to the Depression’s flamboyant bootleggers and bank robbers to the late 20th century’s drug kingpins and “Dapper Dons.” It is the first comprehensive resource on the gangster’s historical evolution and unshakable grip on the American imagination.American Gangsters, Then and Now tells the stories of a number of famous gangsters and gangs—Jesse James and Billy the Kid, the Black Hand, Al Capone, Sonny Barger and the Hell's Angels, the Mafia, Crips and Bloods, and more. Avoiding sensationalism, the straightforward entries include biographical portraits and historical background for each subject, as well as accounts of infamous robberies, killings, and other events, all well documented with both archival newspapers and extensive research into the files of the FBI. Readers will understand the families, the places, and the times that produced these monumental criminals, as well as the public mindset that often found them sympathetic and heroic.Comprises 50 alphabetically organized entries on American gangsters and gangs from the post-Civil War era to the presentOffers a wealth of primary sources, including newspaper articles dating back to the 1880s and FBI files obtained by the authorIncludes photographs of prominent American gangsters and the aftermaths of their crimesPresents a glossary of gangster slang, past and presentProvides a comprehensive index

Based on original sources and research, not legends and myth, this book presents a lively, in-depth analysis of how the American Mafia epitomizes organized crime.Whether it's supplying illicit drugs, alcohol during Prohibition, gambling, prostitution, or even loans to those with bad credit, the Mafia has established itself as a part of the fabric of American society, politics, and economics for over a century. The Mafia continues to exist not only because of their immense power that allows their criminal organization to defy law enforcement, but because demand remains strong for what they offer. This book utilizes verifiable information about the Mafia based on newspaper and magazine accounts, police and FBI documents, court records, and the author's own original research to offer a deeper analysis of "the Mob" that provides historical, social, economic and cultural context. Fascinating biographical sketches that profile well-known Mafiosi such as Charles "Lucky" Luciano and John Gotti are also presented.

The sensational true story of how a bank robber killed a man in a wild shootout, sparking a national debate around gun control and the death penalty.WINNER of the 2022 Brass Knuckles Award for Best Nonfiction Crime BookOn July 24, 1964, twenty-four-year-old Matthew Kerry Smith disguised himself with a mask and a Beatle wig, hoisted a semi-automatic rifle, then held up a bank in North York, Ontario. The intelligent but troubled son of a businessman and mentally ill mother, Smith was a navy veteran with a young Indigenous wife and a hazy plan for violent revolution. Outside the bank, Smith was confronted by Jack Blanc, a former member of the Canadian and Israeli armies, who brandished a revolver. During a wild shootout, Blanc was killed, and Smith escaped — only to become the object of the largest manhunt in the history of the Metropolitan Toronto Police Force. Dubbed “The Beatle Bandit,” Smith was eventually captured, tried, and sentenced to hang. His murderous rampage had tragic consequences for multiple families and fuelled a national debate about the death penalty, gun control, and the insanity defence.