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Bombs, Bullets, and Bribes: the true story of notorious Jewish mobster Alex Shondor Birns
A 2020 International Book Awards True Crime Award Finalist! Alex Shondor Birns-Public Enemy Number One, friend of powerful Jewish and Italian mobsters, and trusted partner of black gambling racketeers. He went toe-to-toe against relentless challenges -the cops wanted him in prison, immigration officials wanted him deported, and the IRS wanted his nightclub, car, and cash. Black gangsters wanted the old white man out of the numbers racket, and rogue underlings wanted to kill the king.
One prot�g� in particular had Birns on the ropes in a high-finance mystery stretching from the US to Israel, and Canada to Cuba. Then along came Ellie, a second grade schoolteacher thirty-three years his junior. She was an unlikely paramour and ally, but clearly smitten with Shon.
For half a century, the charismatic hood beat the odds, cultivating allies high and low, including ambitious reporters whose careers he helped build via blazing front-page coverage. Combine the name Shondor Birns with stories of bribes, bullets, and bombs, and it sold newspapers. It was this notoriety that Shondor embraced through the decades as his turbulent story was memorialized. Until, that is, it reached a shocking crescendo.
One prot�g� in particular had Birns on the ropes in a high-finance mystery stretching from the US to Israel, and Canada to Cuba. Then along came Ellie, a second grade schoolteacher thirty-three years his junior. She was an unlikely paramour and ally, but clearly smitten with Shon.
For half a century, the charismatic hood beat the odds, cultivating allies high and low, including ambitious reporters whose careers he helped build via blazing front-page coverage. Combine the name Shondor Birns with stories of bribes, bullets, and bombs, and it sold newspapers. It was this notoriety that Shondor embraced through the decades as his turbulent story was memorialized. Until, that is, it reached a shocking crescendo.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2019
227 people are currently reading
882 people want to read
About the author
Rick Porrello
11 books43 followersRick Porrello, a retired police chief with mob roots and a jazz musician, has been writing books that attract filmmakers. His second title, To Kill the Irishman, which he self-published, was adapted for the film Kill the Irishman starring Ray Stevenson and with Christopher Walken, Val Kilmer and Vincent D'Onofrio.
Rick has several projects in development for theatrical adaptation. His latest book, Just Play Like You Do in the Basement: Coming of Age as the Drummer for the Greatest Entertainer in the World, was inspired by the two-and-a-half years he spent working for the legendary Rat Pack performer, Sammy Davis, Jr.
Rick has several projects in development for theatrical adaptation. His latest book, Just Play Like You Do in the Basement: Coming of Age as the Drummer for the Greatest Entertainer in the World, was inspired by the two-and-a-half years he spent working for the legendary Rat Pack performer, Sammy Davis, Jr.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 3, 2020
Although the book centers on Shondor Birns it also includes material on a lot of other crooks, particularly in the Northern Ohio section. One of the major themes of the book is that although in the short term these crooks might avoid arrest, avoid prison, avoid being found guilty of anything and so on, sooner or later most of them will either end up in prison (often thanks to the IRS) or dead (by police or by other crooks.)
The book talks about shooting the crooks but it also includes how many of the hits were carried out by attaching dynamite to the crook's car.
Shondor started his wrong-side-of-the-law life early. He basically diversified his activities so that he could get money from a variety of sources. He got enough that he was able to bribe police, jurors, judges and others. The book goes into his illegal activities, his marriages, his friends and his enemies.
A couple of interesting points was that he dropped out of school after the 10th grade and that he was involved in both white and black crime efforts although eventually the black criminals he dealt with wanted him out of their area since he was white.
There's a good number of photos in the book. The end result for Shonder in his life of crime was rather gruesome to say the least.
It's a very interesting book and a good example of just how violent a life he and men like him led.
The book talks about shooting the crooks but it also includes how many of the hits were carried out by attaching dynamite to the crook's car.
Shondor started his wrong-side-of-the-law life early. He basically diversified his activities so that he could get money from a variety of sources. He got enough that he was able to bribe police, jurors, judges and others. The book goes into his illegal activities, his marriages, his friends and his enemies.
A couple of interesting points was that he dropped out of school after the 10th grade and that he was involved in both white and black crime efforts although eventually the black criminals he dealt with wanted him out of their area since he was white.
There's a good number of photos in the book. The end result for Shonder in his life of crime was rather gruesome to say the least.
It's a very interesting book and a good example of just how violent a life he and men like him led.
May 29, 2020
I have a personal and scholarly interest in organized crime. My dissertation was to be on local OC, but things got in the way of completing it. I grew up in a "mobbed town" and remember Shonder Birns. and his murder. Also slimeball Danny Green's murder. (I marginally knew the bombers). So, I enjoyed this book. I recognized a lot of names. events. and places. My dad used to go to the Theatrical Grill as I remember. Anyway, Shonder was quite the man. I don''t think that many people grasp that OC is really rooted in the American Dream and upward mobility. Honestly, you'd think except for when things get out of of hand, the cops would have something better to do with their time than harass "criminals." Hint: nobody cares if one mobster whacks another as long as innocent people don't go down. OC offers services that the state frowns on or wants a cut of Gambling a big deal because the state loses tax money. For that we should be grateful. Not much of a review, I realize, but I like to write something.
I recommend Rick Porello's work, especially for people who are only familiar with the 5 Families. Localized OC is much more interesting--and you'd be surprised who is mobbed up.
I recommend Rick Porello's work, especially for people who are only familiar with the 5 Families. Localized OC is much more interesting--and you'd be surprised who is mobbed up.
November 17, 2021
Alex Shondor Birns life and all the ones that came into it and the crooks and gangsters that got involved and what they wouldn't do to each other to get what they wanted... As you read you shake your head at all the crimes that are committed and wonder how they all got away with so much but then these kind of people they aren't worried about the law of police,they have to keep ahead of the same kind of people they are dealing with cause there's always one that wants to be Head Boss or make more money than the other!! Very good read learned so very much,love books like this and movies!!
August 23, 2022
Rick Porrello's writing is easy and enjoyable to to read. I am an avid fan of both true crime and organized crime. His books fit both interests.
As a resident of Northeast Ohio, it is very interesting to read of places, people and things that you've heard of or are familiar with. I think the book would be interesting no matter what part of the country you reside in. It's all part of Cleveland's history. But if you changed the names of the people and the communities, it could be anywhere in the USA.
As a resident of Northeast Ohio, it is very interesting to read of places, people and things that you've heard of or are familiar with. I think the book would be interesting no matter what part of the country you reside in. It's all part of Cleveland's history. But if you changed the names of the people and the communities, it could be anywhere in the USA.
January 24, 2020
This story is an amazing part of Cleveland history. The book is well written and includes incredible detail not only about Shondor Birns, but of Cleveland at different times in history. Porrello does a great job with the action and excitement of Birn's life, gripping the reader and making you wonder what will happen next. I would reccomend this book to true crime fans as well as Clevelanders wanting to know more about the underside of its society through the years.
January 14, 2020
During My Time
This novel brought back many memories. I knew some of the characters personally. I even gave Ron Bey a ride in my car in the 70s. I knew Mr. Seawright because I did some appraisal work for him. He and my father were acquaintances. I met Mr. Drake in Riley's poolroom. Also knew Attorney Willis. The story was well told and well documented.
This novel brought back many memories. I knew some of the characters personally. I even gave Ron Bey a ride in my car in the 70s. I knew Mr. Seawright because I did some appraisal work for him. He and my father were acquaintances. I met Mr. Drake in Riley's poolroom. Also knew Attorney Willis. The story was well told and well documented.
February 28, 2020
A Look at Numbers & Cleveland
Nice read of the wild & wooly days of themob, numbers, and an interracial mash-up
of baddies, including jews, blacks, and irish, led by the Kingpin Shandor Birns.
You can probaly imagine how it all turns out, except for suprisingly, Don King.
Yep that Don King.
Good read...enjoy
Nice read of the wild & wooly days of themob, numbers, and an interracial mash-up
of baddies, including jews, blacks, and irish, led by the Kingpin Shandor Birns.
You can probaly imagine how it all turns out, except for suprisingly, Don King.
Yep that Don King.
Good read...enjoy
November 22, 2022
This one felt rushed to me. Like more so, I was reading the author's notes for a book instead of, like, how good of a read RISE AND FALL was.
Shon was more interesting of a character than Greene was, and more of a representative of the organization than most you hear about from the area, despite his outskirts of it.
Shon was more interesting of a character than Greene was, and more of a representative of the organization than most you hear about from the area, despite his outskirts of it.
March 6, 2021
An amazing story
I had never heard of Shondor Birns before reading this book so I didn't know what to expect. What I got was a guided tour through the history of organized crime. Would definitely recommend to this book to anyone.
I had never heard of Shondor Birns before reading this book so I didn't know what to expect. What I got was a guided tour through the history of organized crime. Would definitely recommend to this book to anyone.
December 7, 2022
interesting read.
I think I’ve read every Rick Porrello book he’s written and he mentions Birns in a few of them. It was interesting to finally read a little more about Cleveland’s Public Enemy #1.
I think I’ve read every Rick Porrello book he’s written and he mentions Birns in a few of them. It was interesting to finally read a little more about Cleveland’s Public Enemy #1.
April 22, 2020
Good book
I love reading about the mafia. The author makes this story interesting, due to his thorough research. I recommend this book to those with similar interests.
I love reading about the mafia. The author makes this story interesting, due to his thorough research. I recommend this book to those with similar interests.
November 11, 2021
Took me 2 months to read ,because I don’t find a criminal ‘s life appealing. The fact that judges and law officers take bribes is disturbing.
February 23, 2022
Didn't interest me
Not sure what made me choose to read this but I realised not even halfway, that this book didn't and wouldn't interest me.
Not sure what made me choose to read this but I realised not even halfway, that this book didn't and wouldn't interest me.
December 11, 2022
The Cleveland Underworld
A fascinating look at 70's Cleveland and the numbers game. A lot of violence & money. Alex Shondor Birns was a one of a kind mobster.
A fascinating look at 70's Cleveland and the numbers game. A lot of violence & money. Alex Shondor Birns was a one of a kind mobster.
March 28, 2023
This Goodreads Giveaway win will appeal to residents of the Cleveland region with an interest in local organized crime history and personalities.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews