T
itle: Public Enemies: America's Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBIAuthor: Bryan Burrough
Genre: Nonfiction
Synopsis: This work chronicles the formation of the FBI and the growing pains in its creation as they tried to thwart notorious criminals like Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson, The Barker-Karpis Gang, Bonnie and Clyde, and John Dillinger.
My Thoughts
This book was meticulously researched to the point where it feels more like a story than real life. Burrough uses all the facts to create a clear picture of the events in the criminal lives of each of these notorious gangs. He can say who was there, what was said, where the FBI was when each robbery or hideout was happening. He shares what critical pieces were missed that allowed the gang members to get away again and again, and what changes were made that led the FBI to finally get to each of them.
As a Clevelander myself, it was interesting to find out that members of the Karpis-Barker gang lived on the west side Cleveland for a while lying low. It makes them seem that much more real.
It is also intriguing to know that when the FBI began the agents were not armed and were mostly young Ivy League lawyer-types that Hoover felt were the right type of men for the job.
I wouldn't say that this reads like fiction, because it doesn't, but once you figure out all of the major players (there are so many people in this book) it is really engaging and interesting to read about these kidnapping bank-robbers trying to survive during the Great Depression.
Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!
To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above
This book was meticulously researched to the point where it feels more like a story than real life. Burrough uses all the facts to create a clear picture of the events in the criminal lives of each of these notorious gangs. He can say who was there, what was said, where the FBI was when each robbery or hideout was happening. He shares what critical pieces were missed that allowed the gang members to get away again and again, and what changes were made that led the FBI to finally get to each of them.
As a Clevelander myself, it was interesting to find out that members of the Karpis-Barker gang lived on the west side Cleveland for a while lying low. It makes them seem that much more real.
It is also intriguing to know that when the FBI began the agents were not armed and were mostly young Ivy League lawyer-types that Hoover felt were the right type of men for the job.
I wouldn't say that this reads like fiction, because it doesn't, but once you figure out all of the major players (there are so many people in this book) it is really engaging and interesting to read about these kidnapping bank-robbers trying to survive during the Great Depression.
Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!
To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above
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