Dillinger: The Untold Story Expanded Edition

by G. Russell Girardin, William J. Helmer, Rick Mattix

.."". a wild ride through one of the most fascinating periods in American criminal history."" -- Chicago Tribune ""A fascinating addition to the true-crime shelf."" -- Playboy Written in the 1930s but first published in 1994, The Untold Story is a remarkable contemporary account of John Dillinger's life and crimes. Packed with illustrations and new information from FBI files and other sources, it is an authentic slice of American history and a feast for true crime buffs. The new paperback edition adds still more information about Dillinger and his era.

Genres: True Crime, History, Nonfiction, Biography, Crime, American History

400 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1994

Reviews

[Chriss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the use of timelines to highlight Dillinger's career and I was really surprised to see such a wide geographical area that he covered. I thought that it was an honest portrayal of a man, his humble beginnings and those surrounding him. It's obvious that the intrigue for Dillinger is still apparent even today and although he may have been on the wrong side of the law, there was a flare about him that has kept him in the spotlight.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little herky-jerky but worth it. Great chronology, great graphics, great story. And best of all - Helmer finding G. Russell Girardin in Chicago (just before Girardin's death) and publishing his "lost" 1935 manuscript is terrific. Girardin interviewed attorney Lou Piquett and his PI, Art O'Leary extensively - this is the backbone of the book. Girardin also paints a much more realistic portrait of the G-men than most books on the subject. Very readable, very informative, very entertaining. There is a photo online - I found it by accident - of Johnny Depp holding a copy of this book. The photo was taken on the set of Public Enemies...

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting look at the life and times of one of America's most famous and infamous criminals, John Dillinger. Author William J. Helmer used the research and writings of a Dillinger contemporary, G. Russell Girardin, to create a readable story of Dillinger's meteoric rise to fame and predictable flame-out. Much of Girardin's research comes from interviews with Dillinger's attorney, Louis P. Piquett as well as other primary source material from those close to the gangster.

An in-depth look at Dillinger's daring escape from the Crown Point (Ind.) jail with just the use of a wooden gun is especially good. The book covers a variety of the Dillinger gang's bank heists during the early 1930s. Dillinger's set-up by his girl friend, Anna Gage, and then demise at the hands of FBI agents and members of the East Chicago (Ind.) police force as he left the Biograph Theater in Chicago are well-described with drawings. Also included in the book are some terrific pictures of Dillinger, members of his gang, and reproductions of a variety of newspapers and other source material.

All in all, this is a riveting book about a well-publicized bandit whose exploits and daring made him both a charming rogue in the eyes of many Americans as well as Public Enemy Number One during the first third of the 20th Century.

[Frank Taylor]

Unfiltered truth.

[sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only way to put it is that I fell in love with a gangster (hard).

[Jeff Lanter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've wanted to read this book for a couple of years now but because The Untold Story is higher priced than most books, I waited for a good deal to come along and I'm glad I did. The most striking part of this book has to be the voice. The writing style is a relic from the 30s and 40s where the author embraces being a storyteller and tries to maximize the drama in every chapter. This makes for an entertaining and unique read. If you've read Public Enemies, you will find that the author of that book took many of the most interesting and surprising revelations from The Untold Story. Since I love John Dillinger and Public Enemies only made me want to read more about him, I still found this book worthwhile for the little pieces of information and pictures I had forgotten or that were new to me. Perhaps the only downside to this book is the appendix/miscellaneous section. There is some repetition in these sections and much of the information, to be honest, is not all that interesting to read. This is a small complaint since the main narrative is so good. For first time readers, the story of Dillinger's life is fascinating as is his rise and fall. I contend that he is the greatest criminal in US History or at least the most likable. For all of these reasons, this book is worth chasing down for anyone with an interest in the Jackrabbit.

[Ice · Rating 4 out of 5]

It will be 60 years since John Dillinger, labeled "Public Enemy Number One," was gunned down by federal and local agents after being pointed out by the misnamed "woman in red" outside the Biograph Theatre in Chicago on July 22, 1934. For those familiar with the Dillinger saga and those who aren't, this book brings new light to the outlaw's story from two men who knew him best during the critical last few months, defense attorney Louis Piquett and legal investigator Arthur O'Leary. Each befriended Dillinger shortly before the bandit broke out of a Crown Point, Indiana, jail with a handmade wooden gun and escaped in a stolen car across the Indiana-Illinois border, thus bringing the FBI into the case. The contrasts between crooks and good guys alike are fascinating: the amiable, devil-may-care Dillinger offsets his tougher, more volatile confederates Homer Van Meter and "Baby Face" Nelson, both of whom also meet violent ends; and the hardworking, honest G-man, Melvin Purvis, clashes constantly with the fledgling FBI's power-hungry director, J. Edgar Hoover.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're into bandits, this book is a must read. Girardin wrote it based on interviews with Dillinger's lawyer Piquett and his investigator O'Leary but it wasn't published until years later. I got the anniversary edition which includes lots of fascinating facts and miscellany that has come out since the 1960s, debunking a lot of the FBI and Hoover's whitewash. Because it came out so much later Girardin had revisited his book clarifying areas where he'd originally obfuscated or lied due to the fact that gangsters and/or the FBI would have come after him.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always knew who John Dillinger was, and what he was, but never more than that. This book straightened that out. A great biography/true crime book that gives you a great account of the life of the man on the cover. This book also led me to other good books about early 1900s gangland celebs and events. Bonnie and Clyde, Baby Face Nelson, the Union Station and St. Valentines day massacres.....my interest peaked by this book. It's a great read all around, and I believe that no matter what type of books you like reading, you would enjoy this one.

[Missy Rafidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Dillinger was an interest to me after Bonnie and Clyde again I saw the movie Public Enemy with Johnny Depp and I thought okay there has to be a book out there about John Dillinger and yup there was and it was one I couldn't put down, I lost a lot of z's reading this book. The movie didn't come close to actual events written in the book, damn you Hollywood (shaking fist). In some sick, twisted way I found myself attracted to John Dillinger, don't ask why I don't know why. But this book is another Goodread.

[Jen Godin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book about Dillinger I have read.

[Timothy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is perhaps the most complete and detailed account of the life of John Dillinger. The author never once becomes boring or dull, it's fast paced and interesting all the way.