The Snatch Racket: The Kidnapping Epidemic That Terrorized 1930s America

by Carolyn Cox

Although the 1932 kidnapping of aviator Charles Lindbergh’s baby was a worldwide sensation, it was only one of an estimated three thousand ransom kidnappings that occurred in the United States that year. The epidemic hit America during the Great Depression and the last days of Prohibition as criminal gangs turned kidnapping into the highly lucrative “snatch racket.”

Wealthy families and celebrities purchased kidnap insurance, hired armed chauffeurs and bodyguards, and carried loaded handguns. Some sent their children to school or summer camp in Europe to get them out of harm’s way. “Recent Kidnappings in America” was a regular feature in the New York Times , while Time magazine included kidnappings in its weekly list of notable births, deaths, and other milestones.

The Snatch Racket is the story of a crime epidemic that so frightened families that it undermined confidence in law enforcement and government in general. In response, President Franklin D. Roosevelt waged a three-year War against Kidnappers with J. Edgar Hoover and his G-men (newly empowered to carry weapons and make arrests) on the front lines. This first U.S. war against terrorism revolutionized and modernized law enforcement in the United States, dramatically expanding the powers of the federal government in the fight against not only kidnapping but many new types of interstate crime.

At the heart of the narrative are some of the most iconic names of the twentieth Rockefeller, Ford, Lindbergh, Roosevelt, Hoover, Capone, Schwarzkopf, and Hearst, all caught up in the kidnapping frenzy. The Snatch Racket is a spellbinding account of terrifying abductions of prominent citizens, gangsters invading homes with machine guns, the struggles of law enforcement, and the courage of families doing whatever it took to bring home the ransomed.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, History

376 pages, Hardcover

Published March 1, 2021

Reviews

[Dee Dee G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written with lots of facts that were not boring. I didn’t expect a juicy piece of information towards the end though.

[Rhiannon Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.



This shit was crazy! I (vaguely) knew about the Lindbergh kidnapping but I had no idea of the prevalence of kidnappings in in the 1930s. While the stories included in this book were fascinating, it was very heavy on the historical facts and figures. I felt like I was in high school history class again, where I would catch a piece of information but then zone out as the teacher droned on. I really liked the details of each kidnapping story but I started skimming the long sections about the federal government's intervention, etc. I think this would be a great accompanying text for a class covering this time period in America.


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[Richard Derus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Real Rating: 2.5* of five

The Publisher Says: Although the 1932 kidnapping of aviator Charles Lindbergh’s baby was a worldwide sensation, it was only one of an estimated three thousand ransom kidnappings that occurred in the United States that year. The epidemic hit America during the Great Depression and the last days of Prohibition as criminal gangs turned kidnapping into the highly lucrative “snatch racket.”

Wealthy families and celebrities purchased kidnap insurance, hired armed chauffeurs and bodyguards, and carried loaded handguns. Some sent their children to school or summer camp in Europe to get them out of harm’s way. “Recent Kidnappings in America” was a regular feature in the New York Times, while Time magazine included kidnappings in its weekly list of notable births, deaths, and other milestones.

The Snatch Racket is the story of a crime epidemic that so frightened families that it undermined confidence in law enforcement and government in general. In response, President Franklin D. Roosevelt waged a three-year War against Kidnappers with J. Edgar Hoover and his G-men (newly empowered to carry weapons and make arrests) on the front lines. This first U.S. war against terrorism revolutionized and modernized law enforcement in the United States, dramatically expanding the powers of the federal government in the fight against not only kidnapping but many new types of interstate crime.

At the heart of the narrative are some of the most iconic names of the twentieth Rockefeller, Ford, Lindbergh, Roosevelt, Hoover, Capone, Schwarzkopf, and Hearst, all caught up in the kidnapping frenzy. The Snatch Racket is a spellbinding account of terrifying abductions of prominent citizens, gangsters invading homes with machine guns, the struggles of law enforcement, and the courage of families doing whatever it took to bring home the ransomed.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: Copaganda. I am appalled at how completely the FBI's most horrific excesses of past and present owe to this manufactured crisis, flames fanned by that vile scum J. Edgar Hoover. The USA-PATRIOT act and its modern kin have a deep set of roots in US authoritarian trends.

Not boring, if a bit dry in its presentation; and if one is not a convinced leftist, and not utterly repulsed by the cynical manipulations of the "law enforcement" parts of the establishment, permaybehaps a good read. Be prepared to Do Your Homework, though. This isn't my jam but I am not everyone.

NB the blogged review has links to informational sources

[Mica's Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the opportunity to read and review this title.

The 1930s brought about kidnappings in safe Midwestern towns that had never seen such criminality. J. Edgar Hoover is the new head of the Bureau of Investigation looking to make sure they are seen as the department in charge of taking care of the gangsters. Beginning with the kidnapping of the son of Charles Lindbergh, the history of the era of kidnapping, and the introduction of the FBI as we know it now.

The story is done in a clear timeline fashion and tells the story of several kidnappings and the ways in which the kidnapped were returned home. The stories of several prominent gangsters including Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly are also told and we come to understand how they were captured and the roles they played in these kidnappings. At times, the book reads like a textbook which slowed my interest in reading. If you are interested in stories of well-known gangsters or the crimes which they committed then you will truly enjoy this book.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cool book. 4 stars because of the writing style- I felt like it jumped around a lot, especially in the beginning when names of FBI agents and gang members and kindnappee’s were being introduced. I initially struggled to keep up with the different story lines, but I finally felt like I had a decent grip of “who’s who” towards the middle.

I overall liked this book. I found it to be very interesting, especially in the context of the Great Depression, prohibition, and pre-WW2. It’s incredible how prevalent government and law-enforcement corruption was at the time- I guess some things never change?

[Ev · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look into 1930s American culture, government, values, and criminality. It is truly eye-opening to recognize through Hoover's activities with the FBI how malleable the government can be in application of its own principles and laws when it has an ambition in mind, and how willing the general public will become to acquiesce to these seizures of power if they feel threatened.

[Sugarpuss O'Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It's an fascinating look at how kidnappings created the FBI as we know it today. The backbone of this book rests on the Lindberg case, but there are other kidnappings here too that show the eveolution not only of law enforcement, but the criminals & the public too. If you're looking for a little escapism, I highly reccomend this book.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific examination of the rash of kidnappings that terrorized America (and the Midwest in particular) in the 1930s. Fast-paced and exceptionally well-researched, with so many amazing details -- multiple chapters could be standalone books. Highly recommend this one.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but the recounting of the cases began to blur together after a while- would have preferred fewer kidnappings examined in more depth. Mostly it made me really wonder WTAF was up with J. Edgar Hoover.

[Geoff Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting, if not compelling, read. If that makes any sense. I would have rather read a longish New Yorker-type piece on this instead of 300 pages.

[John Oller · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent treatment of an interesting subject and time period.

[Mindy Greiling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-researched, fascinating stories of 1930s kidnappings that led to the supremacy of the FBI. Masterfully written.

[Stephen Brandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good context type read. Worth a purchase

[Maryann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting kidnapping stories, but reading about politics got tedious.