Public Enemies: 5 True Crime Gangster Stories from the Roaring Twenties

by Guy Hadleigh

Do you like true crime stories? Public Enemies – True Crime Gangster Stories from the Roaring Twenties From the era of gangsters, molls and prohibition, almost (but not quite), lost in the mists of time, these tales romp along with plenty of action and recreate the atmosphere of this exciting and dangerous era using the vernacular of the times. You’ll have heard of most of these notorious criminals, but possibly not so much about one or two of them. All of them were real, ruthless hoodlums, and all had their "15 minutes of fame", leaving trails of death and mayhem behind them. Most did not live to an old age, and those that did were probably in jail. Their escapades were daring and reckless and many paid the ultimate price in the end. Volume 1 contains • Lucky Luciano –From Streetwise Kid to the Father of Organized Crime Leaving poverty ravaged Sicily for New York with his family at the age of 10; Lucky was running his own protection racket and making a name for himself whilst still in his teens. Inevitably, he moved on to become the undisputed boss of organized crime in the USA, but it was his own ‘family’s’ involvement in prostitution which landed him a jail sentence of 30 to 50 years. It didn’t end there however as he continued to run the family affairs from prison where Lady Luck visited him with an offer he couldn’t refuse. • Bugsy Siegel and “The Flamingo Hotel” Through his gambling and bootlegging operations, plus numerous ruthless contract murders, Bugsy Siegel established himself as a key member of “The Syndicate” in New York. Relocating to Las Vegas with the blessing of Lucky Luciano in 1945 to expand the organizations activities, he built the famous Flamingo Club and Casino in the desert of Las Vegas using money provided by the East Coast mobsters. The hopelessly mismanaged project went way over budget, implicating Bugsy in the ‘misappropriation’ of funds and enraging his bosses – Bugsy’s day were numbered. • Dutch Schultz – Beer Baron and Vicious Killer From the slums of New York, Dutch Schultz rose through the ranks of crime to be named “the nation’s top gangster” by the FBI. Claiming to be a good guy simply supplying people with the beer they wanted, (illegally of course), he was also responsible for killing at least two of his own men he suspected of ‘skimming’ more of the proceeds than was due to them. • Hymies Weiss - The Man Al Capone Feared Earl Wojciechowski was born on Jan 25th 1898 in Chicago, but over time became known as Hymie Weiss, eventually teaming up with Dean O'Banion the leader of the North Side Gang who he succeeded after his murder in 1924. Hymie swore to avenge his friends death and waged wore on the Torrio-Capone criminal empire, even attempting to assassinate Capone himself. Violent gun battles on the streets of Chicago were regular occurrences during this period as the gangs fought for control of the lucrative bootlegging and other rackets - things had to come to a head sooner or later. • Wilbur Underhill – The Tri-State Terror It took a 24 man task force to bring down Mad Dog Wilbur Underhill in the end. During 12 years of rampaging through the Southwest he was sentenced to life for a murder in Oklahoma, and received another life sentence in Kansas after escaping jail in a ten man breakout and murdering a policeman. Suspected of involvement in the famous Kansas City Massacre, Wilbur began his life of crime as a burglar, and quickly moved on to armed robbery and murder. Order your copy today..

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, History, Amazon, Crime

48 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 2, 2015

About the author

Originally from the UK I moved to Thailand over 18 years ago - great food, weather and people. As for my career, well most of it is behind me now, but I've spent time in the military and traveled extensively. Although still working for a living I have plenty of spare time. It's too hot to work out as much as I used to, and I don't like alcohol enough to become an expert drinker, (although admit to enjoying the occasional cold beer or three :-)
I began writing true crime stories a few years ago and have since become totally absorbed by the subject. I hope you find it as fascinating as me and enjoy my books.

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had no idea... fair warning to you all, this book along with volume 2 are not at all what they appear to be. I was looking for some good non fiction books about gangsters or the Mafia. I was in a hurry and wanted something free from my kindle unlimited or prime reading and was also rushed - heavens! I was out of book!!

Had i looked at the length, i'd have never put them in my library in the first place. The books have maybe a 5 page synopsis of each gangster mentioned and they are ridiculously written. A few even seem to have been computer generated as they say "they are" "he is" repeatedly - meaning no contractions. It reads like one of those computer generated Youtube videos that you click off as soon as you realize what you stumbled onto.

Honestly? I can't believe Amazon's programs even offer selections like these two books. It's an insult!

[Jerry Jares · Rating 4 out of 5]

This writer has an engaging writing style and he grabs you from the first few words.  This particular book was about the violent lives of some of the biggest names in the Roaring 20s:  Bugsy Siegel, Dutch Schultz, Wilbur Underhill, Hymie Weiss, and Lucky Luciano.  Of all of them, I found Wilbur Underhill, the Tri-State Terror, to be the most frightening.  He seemed to have almost no restraint about killing -- and lots of headaches.

None of these guys are fellows you'd want to take to meet your Mom.  As a group, they seemed to live by a belief of 'Easy come, easy go.'  They didn't seem to value life.  One gangster that I wasn't familiar with was Hymie Weiss.  He was labeled 'The Man Al Capone Feared.'  Now, that is saying something.  Interesting and quick reading.

[Beth Shuler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read!!

I must admit I didn't know what to expect when I started this book. I love true crime though and decided to give it a chance. But I knew that it was based on the 20s and I have a hard time reading stories sometimes based on that time period. But I was in for a pleasant surprise and I don't think any other author could of some what Mr. Hadleigh did..... and I am beyond pleased!
So if you are looking for a talented author and a damn good book then look no further. This is an excellent read!!
PS..... already crossing my fingers for his next release and I can't wait!!

[Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Depressing yet interesting

I like the way that this book is written. It's straight to the point yet not boring. The author focuses on facts instead of his own judgments.

The content is what's to be expected of true crime books: depressing yet interesting. To think that life is that cheap for some people, makes you wonder how and why they got to be that way.

It's certainly funny how ours and the newer generations have glorified the image of organized crime, giving it an alluring, chic look when the real thing was really anything but aesthetically pleasing.

[Louis Flege · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find true gangster stories very interesting. Despite a few typos and grammatical errors, I found these to be an easy read that kept moderate interest.The stories in this book offered a little insight to things I was not previously aware of, yet, some important details regarding how and when certain events transpired are vague and somewhat misleading, at best. I do appreciate the efforts to get these stories to the people, though. A little more research and detail is all I hope for.

[Jim Poling · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fun quick little read. Only 75 pages, more of a long form journalism article or textbook entry than an actual book, but it was interesting nonetheless. The book gives the reader a cliff notes version of some of the U.S.’s notorious historical crime figures life’s and escapades.

Bugsy Siegal’s story was particularly interesting to me due to its connection to the origins of Las Vegas and the famous “strip”

All in all it was a quick fun read

[T.E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written.

Four tales of mobsters, that indulge in the glamour of the era, but does not flinch from the malice or violence of the criminals. Written in an engaging voice with a kinetic, action packed style.

[Anne Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fact check needed!

In the last story it said Joseph Rao was killed in an assassination attempt in 1931. No! Should have checked Wikipedia, Guy. He died in 1962. Interesting stories, although too many made up conversations and I don't know how many other facts may be wrong.

[Michelle Lynn Westmoreland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting Read

This is a very interesting and insightful look into the lives of five of the worst gangsters of the 1920's. Its a very well written and historically accurate book. I highly recommend this book.

[Deborah Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great true crimes

Well researched, stories out of newspapers headlines. Backgrounds, personality descriptions . quick reads, offering a glimpse into gangsters lives, times and demises.

[Anita Hargreaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise

Good read, you forget how violent the 1920s gang wars were. Often forgetting the innocent who were slaughtered together their target. No gentlemans agreement to do it on their own territories.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love gangster stories and readers will find five in this collection that delve into the lives of well-known and lesser known gangsters. The author has added pictures to enhance the stories. This is a good one to grab and head back in time.

[Kat · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read the kindle ebook. That was some of the worst grammar, spelling and sentence structure I have seen in a published book in a very long time. It distracted from the stories and I ended up not enjoying the book because of it.

[Rebecca Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read. Short histories on 1920's gangsters that will wet the appetite and make you want to read more in depth histories about them.

[Shawnda Meek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weird

Not what I had expected to be... I have read lists of books about public enemy but never heard of these before.... read in about an hour book 1 &

[Carol Barrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

How they lived and died.

A review of each gangster in a personal rapport with their own gang. You feel like you were there watching as a fly on the wall.

[Eoin Corr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read

[Marion Ryder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the book but wish it had been longer

[Dave J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read

I thought the book was well written some of the stories I had read before but did learn new things. Very good read.

[Kim Boyd]

I like a good true crime book

[Mark Laufenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains 5 shorter biographies of gangsters Lucky Luciano, Bugsy Siegel, Dutch Schultz, Hymie Weiss, and Wilbur Underhill. You'll read about their early lives and their criminal histories in the 1920s.

I was familiar with their names, but not so much with the full extent of their criminal activities. What probably stood out to me was the complete ruthlessness that these guys operated with. Murdering people was just a normal part of running a business. If someone stood in their way or was even a nuisance, they got rid of them.

Although they were shorter stories, there was quite a bit of information on the men's childhoods and youth, how they got started in crime and their rise to power. I found the Kindle book pretty interesting, but it would have benefited from an editor.

[Bettye McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gangsters shooting up the town

Mr. Hadleigh highlights five notorious gangsters in their heyday. Those were the days when men carried machine guns around and shot up whoever they disagreed with that day. Children playing in the street? Mothers running errands? Elderly people shopping for their supper? No problem. If they get in the way, they're just as dead.

There are 81 errors in this book, mainly because the author uses semicolons where commas should be used.

[Bettye McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like old gangster movies? Here's the real thing.

The author showcases five notorious gangsters with brief accounts of their lives and crimes. You'll read about Lucky Luciano, Bugsy Siegel, Dutch Schultz, Hymie Weiss, and Wilbur Underhill.

The content is first-rate, but there are more than 100 errors, mostly punctuation and mainly due to gross misuse of the semicolon.

[Thomas C Wilson Jr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written true crime

Good writing and well researched, but somewhat short on dates. The stories could also be a bit longer. It's still a very enjoyable read with a minimum of gore.

[Norma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Stories

The stories were okay. I didn't learn anything that I didn't already know from the stories my father told me about these men as he heard about them just growing up in the 30s and 40s.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good quick read about gangsters in the 1920's who lived and died by the gun. Their greed always seems to be the key to their downfalls.

[Roshith robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chilling

This book is all about the thug life of a few die hard criminals in the roaring twenties and in the end how they succumb to their own deeds

[Susan Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good reading.

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