Cigars and Wires The Omaha Underworld's Early Years

by Jon L.Blecha

Chronicles some of the central figures and major events of Omaha's underworld from the 1920s to the early 1980s.

466 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially because I have lived in Omaha NE most of my life and so was familiar with names and locations mentioned in the book. Having said that I will admit that I had no idea as to the penetration organized crime made into our community through prohibition and gambling. Corruption ran rampant through all facets of government and to be honest I and most citizens that I am acquainted with had little if any awareness of this. Gradually the situation is improving.

Those that hark back to the "Good Old Days" when complaining about today's Nebraska/Omaha governing just don't realize how much we have honestly improved.

Finally I had no idea the impact and community exploitation that organized crime exerts in a community such as Omaha

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Chicago native who loves Las Vegas and has lived in both Kansas and Omaha, there were many reasons for me to be excited about this book. There are many underworld connections between the three places, many I wasn't even aware of. When Jack Atkins, whose father plays a role in the stories, hand-delivered the book to me, we talked for nearly an hour. There are so many stories here that probably haven't been told before, and it's really must-reading for anyone interested. You have to call Jack to order the book, which isn't available for sale anywhere else.

Unfortunately, while expertly researched and exhaustively compiled, the book lacks the kind of flow that keeps the pages turning. Clearly efforts are made by Blecha to help you follow the many players involved, but the names keep flying at you and it's hard to follow at times. During the middle sections, the book hits a rhythm and pulls you in, but it wasn't long before I began skimming toward the end.

If you work to distill the essential information from the non-essential, you will no-doubt be interested in this comprehensive history of bootlegging, gambling, corruption and murder in Omaha. Disappointingly, it's not a great read.