5 comments about Contrabando: Confessions of a Drug-Smuggling Texas Cowboy.

1. The mexican cartels absolutely wouldn't have allowed this
   guy living on the border to exist in their territory as it
   relates to grass smuggling.In Nuevo Laredo and Laredo,Tx.
   their have been 170 drug territory related killings year to date.
   This isn't even close to logical.Further,if his ranching business
   was broke and the bankers were knocking he could not have been anything more than a petty grass-runner.The mexicans have plenty
   of these types.With no money--you're a mule.This is however good
   fiction reading.The mexicans-including ''El Chapo'' of the Gulf
   cartel would laugh at this one.An individual cowboy on the Mexican border that is broke?C'mon.Mexicans fiercely protect their business.FICTION!Anyone who knows anything about this business knows that this story just ain't happening.



2. I was witness to part of what Don wrote and having read Contrabandos, can testify to its accuracy. Any errors are only those of perspective, because we all see events in a slightly different light. Ms. Kirkpatrick reviews the book as fiction. I can assure you that it is not. A 'Mule' only recieves a fee for his services and is notinvolved in any other part of the business. If anything, this book lacked space to tell much more of the story as it happened.



3. Contrary to the comments made by Genny Kirkpatrick, this is an outstanding narrative. Genny does not understand the culture of the border. A Spanish speaking Anglo, sincerely interested in Mexican culture, will have no difficulty being accepted by Mexicans near the border, and for this, the book is believable. It is definately an eye opener, and very informative regarding Mexican culture. Several passages discussing food found my stomach growling lol. My hat is off to Mr. Ford. He accepts responsibility for his actions, is not afraid to face the consequences, and all the while tells an interesting and sometimes amusing story.



4. I was involved in the little known business of smuggling contraband INTO Mexico in the 80s. This did NOT involve drugs though the DEA thought some of us were into it...and they were probably correct! Not me of course!
   
   Anyway, I can relate a bit (a small bit) to what Don endured. He must be one tough hombre is all I can say. The badlands of northern Mexico is no place for sissies! The book reads very well & the only way I could put it down at night was my eyelids refusing to stay open! Highly recommended for all those craving adventure stories...TRUE adventure stories.
   
   If you're reading this, best of luck to you Don. I worked out of McAllen flying Queen Air 65s. One of the best aircraft for hauling heavy loads of VCRs & TVs! Levis & Motorcycles too...oh, and Cognac & Baclava! Mexicans love that stuff.



5. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down and I did not until I finished it. Knowing the background of the hard-working people he came from and growing up in that same era and areas, it was like peering in a window and watching another world that I had only heard about whispered with girlfriends. I am grateful for the glimpse from Mr. Ford, as I know how painful the retelling must be for all, and hopefully cathartic as well. I could not imagine living in that drug culture or being a part of that desperation, growing up a wide-eyed and naive small-town girl at that time. I only knew the rumors of those that did, somewhat in awe at their audacity, like local versions of a forbidden rock star in some ways. What a tough character he was and a parents nightmare! The high stress of living such a life would seem to exact a heavy toll and the authors words conveyed a dilemma of ethics in a world where little seemed to exist. Yet I found myself oddly cheering him on and wanting him to succeed and be redeemed in the end, not admiring the lifestyle but appreciating the experience without having to live it. I felt for his family and children and all they must have endured. I was sad when the book ended as I felt there should be a neat and happy ending somehow, and hope it is as best it can be. The reader is left with a sense of lessons learned and regrets to overcome from the author (maybe part two?), yet a hope for a better life for he and his family. Good luck to the author and his family and I looking forward to reading some of his other books.

5 comments about Cold Blooded (St. Martin's True Crime Library).

1. Reviewer Jim Greenhill's analogy with the Coen brothers Blood Simple, a modern film noir was excellent. The thing great about this is that it's real. Much sadness and heartbreak but I thought this was a very well written book and I've read a lot of true crime. I firmly believe the saying "Truth is stranger than fiction," and this is once again confirmation on that point. The book and characters are unbelivable and twisted but most are frighteningly unaware that they are so. Even the main character is a person who seems driven to do what she does. It brings questions to mind about hereditary factors, brain chemistry or maybe the idea that there may or may not be good and evil



2. Typically I am not much of a Carlton Smith true crime fan; however, I found Cold Blooded to be a tremendous piece of writing for the true crime genre. Most often writers are prone to present a bit of background, followed or preceeded by the known details of the crime and then the remainder of the book is generally the trial and sentencing of the accused; and, more often than not, is written almost word for word from trial transcripts.
   
   Not so in Cold Blooded! There is NEVER a dull moment in this book! The life and doings of Laren (aka Elisa) Jordan/McNabeney is better than any beauty salon gossip any day! And Carlton Smith details these events in a fast paced, attention gripping style that makes putting this book down difficult!
   
   Highly, highly recommended for true crime fans!



3. This book was just okay. The storyline is excellent for true crime, but the author's presentation is bland. I had a constant feeling of "the book is gonna get really good now", and while it is good, it never drew me in to where I couldn't put it down.



4. If you are used to the quality of Ann Rule, you will be deeply disappointed. Smith often has not researched the history and will generously use phrases such as "this area is a little murky" or "not much is known about this time period" etc. Very frustrating. Also the time line is very confusing.
   Not impressed.



5. I was looking forward to reading this book after watching a fascinating account of the case on CourtTV's "The Investigators." Sadly, Carlton Smith's account of the Larry McNabney murder is a real disappointment. CourtTV focused on Deborah Scheffel, the detective who broke the case; Smith builds his narrative around the misadventures of Elisa, Larry, and Sarah Dutra and makes the detectives minor players. Due to an apparent lack of information, Smith resorts to filling page after page with speculation and guesswork about what might have happened between these three bizarre characters. The story -- at least as Smith presents it -- has no tension or momentum at all. In the last third of the book, dealing with the events after Sarah's arrest, Smith simply quotes huge chunks of police interview transcripts in which Sarah babbles away in a self-serving manner. The whole book feels inadequately researched and lazily written.
   
   One other thing: the back cover promises "8 pages of alarming photographs." That's probably the biggest exaggeration I've ever seen on a true crime book. Yes, there are eight pages of photos, but they are about as "alarming" as watching ice melt.

5 comments about The Art of the Steal: How to Protect Yourself and Your Business from Fraud, America's #1 Crime.

1. It's amazing the number of ways you can get ripped off. If you learn one thing from this book, it's that you've got to watch your a**!



2. Well written book by an ex-con who was very successful as a thief. The simplicity and ease of the acts clearly demonstrate the skill of the author. I am much more aware of how to protect myself against theft after reading this very effective book.



3. Abagnale offers some insight into the mind, motives, and methods of many criminals. As I read through the The Art of the Steal, I found that many of Mr. Abagnale's suggestions were useful, some were common sense, and a few were just fluff to fill up the pages of a book. I liked the format because the chapters are broken down into logical (and small) segments that provide excellent reading material for the bus, train, or in a waiting room. I found the details of the scams described in the book absolutely fascinating. The real question that you need to ask yourself after reading a book like this is : Do I feel that I am better prepared to prevent fraud for having read this book? My answer to this question is, Yes. I am buying an extra copy of this book for my neice who is a bank teller, and I would recommend it to those in management, those running a private business, or anyone who supervises employees that handle money (or cash equivalents).



4. The things that can be done with receipts, credit cards and cheques is amazing. I have to admit I'm astonished after reading this that in 2008 cheques are still so widely used everyday in the USA and that they are cashed in so many places (like corner stores and supermarkets etc) - its something you'd never see in Australia where cheques are dying in use only cashed in a few places like banks under restricted circumstances. Its no wonder there's so much fraud with them in the states.
   
   Knowledge can be a two edged sword as the author of this book readily acknowledges. On the one hand it can help people who don't know any better avoid scams on the other hand this book is a good primer for people who want to learn some basics of the con for themselves.
   
   Some of the techniques in this book are very American-centric based on weaknesses in the financial system there but other such as short change artist getting you at the till are much more international. All said this is a fascinating read on how the best intentions can be turned on their head and how a willingness to believe the best in everyone will probably only get you ripped off eventually by those who do not have the same principles. The methods of the con may change over the years (hence the move to on-line fraud these days) but this book can give you a valuable insight into some of the ingenious methods of fraud, both simple and complex.



5. Beyond being a latter-day America folk hero, Frank Abagnale has a critical and detailed eye. As they say, the devil is in the details. Understanding the details that allow fraud and theft to succeed can help prevent the individual and small business from being taken by practiced scam artists. Whether the scam is for $20 or $20,000, the tactics are the same - confidence. The criminals want to build trust and confidence within victims to the point where people are begging the crooks to take their money. As Abagnale says: "Be impressed with the check, not the person." Over and over this book illustrates how examining the details of paperwork, checks, money, and documentation instead of trusting a smile or handsome face will save you from loss. One of the most telling points of this book is that even in this age of cybercrime, paper-fraud quietly and rapidly increases. Get this book and be entertained as well as shocked.

5 comments about A Criminal and an Irishman: The Inside Story of the Boston Mob-IRA Connection.

1. I had high hopes for this one, in light of the pros working with Nee. It just seemed to degenerate into a political polemic, however, about half way through; almost like two mini-books with stange pacing by the editor. Without trying to, I found myself mentally substituting "Al Qaeda" for IRA, trying unsuccessfully to differentiate in my mind why these guys were substantially different from middle eastern "freedom fighters". Left unexamined was the tragic way his family started him on his path in life, making him a really angry guy in general. Despite service in the USMC, he doesn't refer to himself as an American throughout most of the book. I really wish I could have liked this one more but I know plenty of guys like Nee who made better life choices.



2. This is a solidly wriiten book on criminal activity in Boston and arms smuggling to Ireland. The author pulls no punches about what he did and offers no apologies to the lifestyle he choose. You can either love or hate him but he seems to be a respectable guy from this book. The co-authors do a pretty good job putting his voice into a readable manner.



3. This is the best book in its class. Nee is everything that Mac, Weeks, Shea aren't. He is truthful and honest. Nee's story puts it all into perspective and negates all the other fiction. Nee's story is the one that you want to hear about. Recounting the events of his life, that he remembers. The South Boston gang war chapter is outstanding, and the valhalla chapter is almost a "how to smuggle" for those of you interested. Nee's story is both moving and compelling, with his sentiment towards his brother and his belief in the IRA as opressed people. Nee's image of Whitey Bulger is outstanding. This is a definite good read. buy it.



4. A Criminal and an Irishman is a terrific read, particularly for anyone interested in American connections to the defiance of British rule and oppression in Northern Ireland. Highly informative and entertaining, the novel also provides a great deal of excitement in its recounting of its anti-hero's adventures as a criminal and a gun runner for Irish freedom fighters. Pleasantly, it avoids glorifying crime, yet it does provide insight into why Pat Nee made the choices he did, as both a criminal and an Irishman. Further, it provides facts too often ignored in the US press about Britain's continuing atrocities against Nationalists and Catholics in Northern Ireland. Anyone who wants to know the truth about what goes on in that enemy-occupied country would do well to read this book.



5. Well, let's see....I bought this book in the hopes of learning about some type of connection with the P.I.R.A and the Southie Irish "mob". First, I had to get through the first ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY FIVE PAGES which had to do with Mr. Nee's life prior to his involvement.
   
   If you couple that with the forty or so pages that dealt with the actual boat trip, which Mr. Nee wasn't even privy to, then you have about TWENTY pages actually dealing with the topic of "The Inside Story of the Boston Mob-IRA Connection".
   
   Listen, Mr. Nee, I understand you not wanting to tell the "whole" story about what you did as I'm sure the statute of limitations hasn't run out. But don't spout off about some huge connection between the Irish "mob" and the P.I.R.A if you don't have much to say. You wrote more about Jimmy Bulger than you did about anything else!
   
   The only saving grace of the book was that you felt like you were bellied up to the bar in some run down gin mill swapping stories with ole' Patty himself. It's an easy read, completed it in a night, but only pick it up if you're interested in one-sided war stories about criminals who victimized Southie.

5 comments about Children Kill: Profiles of Pre-teen and Teenage Killers (2003) (2003).

1. There are few things as disturbing as accounts of children committing murder. Whenever one of these cases appears in the news, it touches a nerve in us all, and those of us who are parents can't help wondering "How could this have happened? Could my child be capable of something so hideous, or was the child who committed this crime some sort of unexplainable abberation?" "Children Who Kill" by Carol Anne Davis attempts to answer these questions, and it is a fascinating glimpse into the pathology of child murderers and a "must-read" for any true crime aficionado. However, having said that, I must mention that the writing style is so amateurish that, at times, I had trouble believing that I was reading the work of a published author. The book reads very much like a middle school research paper, sometimes to the point of being distracting. I took into consideration the fact that the author is British and I am an American, which would explain why some of the phrasing seemed odd to me, but do British schools not teach the use of commas or compound sentences? Fortunately for Ms. Davis, the subject matter is so compelling that one keeps reading despite the distractions. If you are a person who finds true crime fascinating, you will enjoy this book, but if poor writing bugs you, this book will drive you crazy.



2. Yes, Davis lets the crimes speak for themselves. But there is a trend in the USA of trying children as adults and all around demonizing them that this book seems to cash in on, and I find it quite inhumane and distasteful. If there had been any kind of thoughtful analysis it might have mitigated this content, as is I cannot accept it as more than it is: Cashing on on some people's need to be afraid, and giving child haters ballast for passing more hateful laws.



3. This book offers some of the sad stories of kids who have committed horrible crimes. Among factual events in this book, there are still many things said that are false and exaggerated.
   In the crime involving Wendy Gardner and James Evans, it paints Wendy out to be a manipulative monster, when in fact, James Evans was the culprit. Unfortunately the author gives her the beating for James's actions. Wendy was abused by her grandmother, and James Evans was a ticking time bomb who had later told Wendy he would have ended up killing someone during his life, even if it hadn't been Betty Gardner.
   Wendy Gardner thought she loved James at a time when she was experiencing strong teenage feelings, but it wasn't true love - nor did she plot a murder to run off with him. Quite the contrary - she had been trying to end the doomed relationship with James for some time. Each time Wendy attempted to leave him, Evans threatened and manipulated her into staying. Evans was obsessed with proving himself worthy of Wendy's love, hoping she'd feel obligated to stay with him. Wendy had told James she didn't know what love was. This is relevent because it supports the fact that Wendy had no "plans" to run off with James. He knew Wendy's grandmother was abusive, and Wendy had made the mistake of saying she wished her grandmother was dead. Wendy did not seriously mean it - she simply wanted the abuse to stop, even if Evans would hit Betty. Evans obsessed over being with Wendy, but his actions backfired that night. Wendy could not believe James Evans had killed her grandmother - not even now. This shows just how well these teens really knew each other.
   The kinds of things Wendy wrote in her journals were actually typical things that lots of teenaged girls go through. The hormone rushes, family troubles and the manipulation of the wrong boyfriend. It seems wrong that her journals were used to build a case against her.
   Wendy Gardner and James Evans were not stupid kids, but neither was a genius, nor did Wendy conspire with James or make him kill anyone. Nobody forced James Evans against his will to strangle Betty Gardner, and he ordered Wendy to assist him after he killed Ms. Gardner, refusing to let Wendy from his sight. James, in fact, had been the bossy one in that relationship, not Wendy. He figured maybe if he got Betty out of the way, Wendy should be obligated to him. But fate ended his plans forever.
   Wendy tried taking the blame for what James Evans did in the hopes of sparing them a horrible punishment. She had implicated herself in her police statement, knowing full well that she did not force James Evans to commit murder, AND he had no remorse about it. By the time Wendy had told the truth about how she didn't push him into it, nobody believed Wendy, and she was labeled as a "mastermind." Regardless, Evans was no pawn and he took a life, justifying in his own mind his own reasons, without any remorse. The statements Evans gave police and lawyers was that Wendy had manipulated him into killing her grandmother. How convenient for him to leave ot the details of how HE forced Wendy to help him after the murder and told her she'd never be rid of him. He never told police how HE ran the show, refusing to let Wendy out of his sight. His psychiatrist had deemed James a sociopath who would kill again given the chance. James was known for torturing and abusing animals and he had bashed in someone's car with a baseball bat. My family had lived near Wendy and they knew Betty was abusive to Wendy. They also knew Wendy and James were not some couple like Tristan and Isolde. Nobody was shocked that James Evans had ended up killing someone. He was a phony tough guy who was quick to lash out, but didn't mess with someone big or tough who'd actually fight back. Neighbors were surprised that Wendy had gotten mixed up with James Evans at all. Some people knew damned well Betty had been abusive to Wendy.
   Wendy has served her time and she is getting her life together and moved on from the past. She's in a committed relationship, employed and spending time with family. She is not the person this book describes.
   James Evans remains in prison as of this entry, and the parole board will decide if and when he is ready to be released. Although the author has some of the information correct, some things are simply inaccurate. Please understand that the author doesn't actually care about the life or death of Betty Gardner. The media and Wendy's mistake of implicating in her initial police statement is the only reasons Wendy Gardner was pegged as a mastermind, manipulative young killer.



4. This author, a non-professional, has bought the abuse excuses of numerous childhood killers who claim they were abused. There is virtually no corroborative evidence and the author is soft in the head about the child killers who claim, with no evidence, that they were repetetively abused. Skip this offering it is not worth the price. The author never knew any of the murderers and falls victim to their most ridiculous claims of abuse. This is a case example which demonstrates why lay people should never write about such murders because they are completely stupid and unprepared to consider the actual evidence.



5. The tragic truth about what happens to children left to their own defenses. In a world of parents who are emotionally and/or physically absent we see too many children falling into this trap.

5 comments about Cracking More Cases: The Forensic Science of Solving Crimes : the Michael Skakel-Martha Moxley Case, the Jonbenet Ramsey Case and Many More!.

1. Ditto to Dennis Littrell's eloquent and well-informed review, by the way. This is a solid and varied sequel indeed, and the Doc looks very cool on the cover, but I just want to focus on the Ramsey case above all.
   
   While the excellent Dr. Lee does not flat out accuse the Ramseys of involuntary manslaughter and a pitiful cover-up, his use of probability terminology speaks for itself.
   
   To clarify things, the critical points to grasp about the Ramsey case include the following...
   
   There is no conclusive evidence - of any kind - that there was ever an intruder. All of the 'possible clues' touted by pro-Ramsey people have long ago been debunked.
   
   The tainted, partial DNA sample that has been referred to repeatedly, could have come from any number of sources, including the clothing manufacturer/packer, and there is absolutely no evidence whatosever that it came from an intruder.
   
   The sample is a limited 10-loci/marker sample and could never be enough to convict in isolation (you need 13 loci or sequencing markers), even if an idiot like John Mark Karr had been telling the truth. It is of some limited use in eliminating suspects, i.e. if any of their 10 corresponding markers don't align with the sample, they can be excluded.
   
   The DNA is a red herring, anyway, especially as used by the Ramseys' belligerent lawyer Lin Wood. For him to drone on that the Ramseys were cleared by comparison to the case DNA is utterly meaningless on two counts. Firstly, because there is NO evidence that the DNA was that of a killer/intruder; secondly, because, as with any parent/child relationship, the Ramseys' DNA could have quite legitimately been all over JonBenet. Nothing short of finding John's semen in her mouth, vagina or anus could have been considered truly compromising.
   
   As Dr. Lee suggests, given the total lack of evidence to support the intruder theory, the likelihood is that JonBenet was killed by accident and the parents panicked and created a woefully illogical and transparent cover-up.
   
   No intruder could have had such prolonged and close physical contact with the child and not left siginicant DNA behind. To do that, he would have to have been wearing a space suit.
   
   To me, the good doctor has put the final nail in the Ramsey's well-nailed coffin.



2. Fantastic! On a personal note, this is the only book of its kind that I will ever need for my work as a novelist. I'm not qualified to pass judgment on Dr. Lee's abilities but it's clear that he is premier in his field and this work will stand the test of time and will surely be updated with new editions as necessary.
   
   My review serves two purposes:
   
   First; this is an essential addition for any writer's library. If one of your characters should commit a crime that might require forensic science, you had better know what you are writing about.
   
   Second, some of these reviews are hilarious! Are the Hardy Boys for real? I guess we'll turn [..] into a courtroom for amateur sleuths. A couple of morons with magnifying glasses have challenged Henry Lee to a duel!
   
   If you're a TOP 50 REVIEWER and you have decided you know more about a murder Case than Dr. Henry Lee, I suggest that you re-evaluate yourself and stop speed-reading so that you can absorb and understand what the author is trying to say.



3. "True Crime" is a genre that is clearly flourishing, and in "Cracking More Cases" famed forensic scientist Dr. Lee has again dug deep down to the smallest of fibers, atoms, and blood spatters as he presents his view of the Skakel/Moxley case, JonBenet Ramsey, and "many more." There is the first problem: to me, THREE other crimes does not qualify as "many," but perhaps I quibble. While the crimes and the evidentiary trails are fascinating, to be sure, it is hard to escape Dr. Lee's ego which towers like an Alp over this book. The peak is reached on Page 111: "During my testimony, I referred to 'indirect forensic evidence,' a term that Mickey Sherman pointedly decided not to challenge, somewhat sarcastically asking, in effect, 'Who would want to take on so well known a figure as Dr. Lee?'" Now there is a legend being created in someone else's mind! Actually, there is little new in the book, other than Dr. Lee's self love. A check of the notes will reveal just how much he draws upon the work of others.



4. This book is a winner just as is Mr. Lee. I have met him and his courses are so well put that one wants to extend the learning periods.



5. I can't comment on how good this guy is at forensics, but if you trust his skills there, then the section on OJ is fascinating. He's not allowed to say who did it, since he testified for the defense, but if you read between the lines, he tells you. And it's not something I would have suspected, once you get beyond the obvious. And if he reads the forensics right, then his argument is pretty interesting. I read no other sections of the book, but this alone made the book valuable to me.

2 comments about The False Prophet: Conspiracy, Extortion and Murder in the Name of God (Berkley True Crime).

1. Taylor Helzer was a devout Mormon who lost his moral compass after diving into the teachings of a "self-help" program and heavy drug use. Charismatic since a child, he managed to manipulate his brother and a lonely woman into sharing his belief that he was a prophet who would save the world from the Apocalypse. His plan was to kidnap the top leaders of the church and force them to write letters to Mormons declaring him the new leader.
   
   Author and journalist Claire Booth gives an excellent narrative of the shocking events of the summer of 2000, when the Helzer gang brutally murdered five innocent Bay Area residents -- including the daughter of blues musician Elvin Bishop -- in an effort to extort money he hoped would finance his plan.
   
   Booth gives us insight into the real nature and history of all the people involved -- the victims, their families, law enforcement, the killers -- and shows us how Helzer transformed into the false prophet.



2. This extensively-researched true crime story reads like a novel. The players come alive to a disturbing extent. I hope Ms. Booth continues with her crime writing efforts.

4 comments about Pirates Aboard!: Forty Cases of Piracy Today And What Bluewater Cruisers Can Do About It.

1. THis book offers a good insight to piracy against cruisers and offers a variety of tips and advice on what cruisers can do to minimize their risk of being overtaken. Unfortunately, this book did not address motor-cruisers ("passagemakers"), which leads the reader to think that motorcruisers are immune to piracy???? Overall, a worthy read.



2. Think of pirates and movies and acting - or ancient times - comes readily to mind; but truth is, piracy is alive and well on the high seas today and even can be a threat to modern sailors. That's why PIRATES ABOARD! 40 CASES OF PIRACY TODAY AND WHAT BLUEWATER CRUISERS CAN DO ABOUT IT is so key to sailing safety. The author interviewed the victims of over 40 cases, asking them what lessons they learned and how they'd avoid or survive similar encounters: their responses offer invaluable lessons for any braving the high seas today.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



3. I suggest before you sell the house, buy a sailboat, and launch that world cruise you've always dreamed about, you get to know the neighborhood. Get your hands on a copy of Klaus Hympendahl's "Pirates Aboard." This is a non-fiction survey of real, modern piracy attacks and a de-briefing styled discussion of the aftermath. Klaus IDs specific piracy hotspots, tells why they are hotspots, relates what is known about each attack, and returns to the dilemma yachters face in trying to decide whether to keep weapons on board. The individual accounts are well-written and digestable. I used his book as one of the sources for my new novel, "Arcturus," which does involve pirates--both contemporary and in history. Arcturus: A Jack McDonald Novel About Soldiers, Spies, Pirates, and Terrorists with Romantic and Historical Twists



4. The book captures individual experiences of different cruisers in different areas of the world and reveals what they learned from their experiences and shares this with the reader. If you are considering cruising it is well worth the read.

4 comments about Rough Trade.

1. One of the investigators in this True Crime story notes that ". . . this case had a variety of characters that the most fertile mind in Hollywood would have a hard time imagining . . ." and author Steve Jackson manages to make me feel that I know them. Some I like, some I detest . . . and I do want to know how Joanne Cordova is doing with her life now. Joanne is a former Denver policewoman who fell into a life of drug addiction and prostitution and was involved in the story from the underside, yet found the courage to come forward and testify against killer Robert Riggan. The book is well written and the author has a real facility for holding on to all the different lines of the story and keeping them straight and moving toward the resolution. I'm sure that many crimes must have as fascinating a story underneath the headlines if only that story could be told. My hat is off to the heros of the story and to Steve Jackson for introducing me to them.



2. Adjectives are difficult descriptors for me. Comparisons seem to fit better. So, here are mine for Steve Jackson:

   John Grisham:Scott Turow; Nancy Rosenberg:John Lescroart; Ann Rule:Steve Jackson




3. Here's how I compare Steve Jackson's writing: John Grisham:Scott Turow; Nancy Rosenberg:John Lescroart; and Ann Rule:Steve Jackson.



4. I'M ONLY 1/2 WAY THROUGH THIS BOOK AND WHAT A STORY. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT DOWN. WILL TELL EVERYONE WHAT I THINK ABOUT WHOLE BOOK WHEN I'M DONE.

5 comments about The Complete Public Enemy Almanac: New Facts and Features on the People, Places, and Events of the Gangsters and Outlaw Era, 1920-1940.

1. Respected authors William Helmer and Rick Mattix have provided us with a reference book of nearly 900 pages relating to "the gangster and outlaw era: 1920--1940." The book is divided into seven sections dealing with all facets of crime during this turbulent era. Parts of this book can be read like any other book while criminal incidents from various years are listed chronologically. I feel this part of the book can be best used as a reference. The book contains numerous photos, several of which I have never seen before. The big shots of both Chicago and New York are all here as are the depression-era desperadoes. Depending on your interest level you may feel you are being told more than you care to know. However, as I said, much of this book can be used as a useful reference book to your crime library. If you do have such a library this book would be a worthy addition. Co-author Rick Mattix has reviewed numerous crime books on Amazon, and his opinion carries considerable weight with me in whether or not I decide to purchase a book.



2. This is a must have referance/gangster/outlaw book. If this subject or even this era of history intrests you at all this book is a goldmine.



3. wonderful book.informative.makes good late night reading.i love reading about local gangsters/crimes.what an era!and this author really dug out the details.



4. I was given this book as a birthday present... This book is a must have for any organized crime geek... Its meticulously written in a straight forward manner. Covering a wide range of topics from Prohibition era gangsters like John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson, and others like Al Capone and other wild gangsters of Chicago... Most of the focus is in the Chicago area and Outlaw Prohibition type bandits... It does have some dates concerning happenings in Detroit, Cleveland, New York, etc...
   
   In the beginning of the book it has brief bio's of most of the major gangsters of the 1920's era... In the back it has two pages covering the dates various gangsters died... Over all its a well written book complete with other stories woven in with the almanac... This book is a must have for your organized crime library whether your just a mafia buff, amateur crime researcher, or just into reading about Prohibition era crime...



5. So far many of the names I've been reading in the newspapers are coming to life in this fun read! Just enough mayhem to wet your appetite for more! The format makes it easy to read and pick back up and I find myself using it as a reference book at this point as I'm going through various newspaper articles. I'm still in the process but am learning quite a bit about mobsters outside of the Chicago area. Must have for those getting started like myself!