Leavenworth Seven: The Deadly 1931 Prison Break

by Kenneth M. LaMaster

On December 11, 1931, chaos erupted behind Leavenworth's limestone penitentiary walls as seven desperate men put months of planning into action. Aided by notorious gangsters Frank Nash, George "Machine Gun" Kelly and Thomas James Holden, they blazed a path to freedom with stolen cars and terrorized hostages. Anyone who could carry a gun and knew the terrain quickly picked up the pursuit. Kenneth LaMaster wades into the flying bullets of first-person accounts, news reports and official FBI files for the full story of the frenzied prison break.

Genres: True Crime

144 pages, Paperback

Published February 18, 2019

Reviews

[Joseph E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Big House - Back in time

I have this book a five star rating because it is an enlightening historical read. The author takes the reader back in time to the beginnings of UPS Leavenworth to include its construction, infamous prisoner's, and many dedicated staff in those early years all leading up to a deadly 1931 prison break and resulting actions. Recommend for anyone wanting historical information about the Leavenworth Penitentiary or those with an interest in learning about what lengths inmates will go to to achieve their goal of escape from custody.

[Haines Eason · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fact-heavy read that does capture (pun intended) the high points of this prison’s history. The book’s organization and flow could have used a stronger editor… An essential read for those wishing to learn about both the prison itself and, to some extent, the early history of the federal prison system.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched and quite interesting! Glad I read this.

[Rachel Rittenhouse · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is quite a lot of information in this book, and it's all very interesting. Unfortunately, the author sends it straight at your face like darts through a belt-fed nerf gun. If there's a method to the madness, I'm not mad enough to get it.

[AP · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick book, first 3 or 4 chapters are just filler of Leavenworth history. Only 2 or 3
Chapters about actual escape but it’s still a very well researched book.

[Lindsay Kinney · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book needs editing.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on the history of Leavenworth federal prison. Well researched
Covers All the participants in the great escape and The aftermath Of The prison break
Some time soon it will be a tourist attraction like Alcatraz