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Uncle Al Capone - The Untold Story from Inside His Family
A stunning memoir by the last living Capone. Deirdre Marie Capone offers the portrait of an American family and her favorite Uncle, endlessly depicted as the iconic mastermind behind some of the century s most brutal killings. Filled with never-before published family photos of Al Capone and surprising revelations about the man behind the notorious legend, this book tells the untold story from within the family.
- Learn the truth about the St. Valentine's Day Massacre
- Learn about Al Capone's role in the only successful escape from Alcatraz
- Even get the family recipes for Al Capone's favorite meals
- But most importantly, learn about what family life was like for the Capones and what it was like growing up in Chicago with the most notorious of last names.
- Learn the truth about the St. Valentine's Day Massacre
- Learn about Al Capone's role in the only successful escape from Alcatraz
- Even get the family recipes for Al Capone's favorite meals
- But most importantly, learn about what family life was like for the Capones and what it was like growing up in Chicago with the most notorious of last names.
232 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2010
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402 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 24, 2012
Interesting "insider" memories of Al Capone. It's the only biography written by a member of his family who had met him. The author is Al's great-niece.
Although the author sometimes talks about how she needed (and got) more information to conclude something very positive about Al when others have understood events differently, I got the feeling throughout the book that she's "pulling for him" way too hard. The author also sometimes ignored indisputable, available evidence when it conflicted with her portrayal of Al as more of a beleaguered, misunderstood guy than anything else. (Although she points out he wasn't perfect... which I've never heard anyone argue against.)
For example, she tells how high-level federal penitentiary officials sent Uncle Al to Alcatraz without any good reason. They were just trying to make his life as miserable as possible. However, I recall seeing a photo in "Alcatraz: A Definitive History of the Penitentiary Years" that showed huge furniture in Al's cell at Atlanta U.S. Penitentiary. The Atlanta prison officials had basically pampered Al and allowed him to continue running his gang business from his cell. The feds sent Al to Alcatraz so he'd be treated exactly like every other inmate there.
The book seems filled with the author's personal memories of Al. The author includes a tremendous amount of details. Al died when the author was only seven years old. Perhaps she has a phenomenal memory; it's way too much for me to readily believe.
A different type of example of author's total inattention to accuracy: She referred to a family member who didn't have to go fight in World War I, in which she said 100 million U.S. soldiers died. The total population of the U.S. in the census just four years previous to WWI was less than 100 million people. About 117,000 U.S. soldiers died in that war (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Wa...). So based on the author's number:
1. For every U.S. soldier who died in World War I, the author reported about 855 dead U.S. soldiers.
2. Every man, woman, and child in the U.S. was killed in World War I. And that still did not account for all the deaths she reported.
Overall, I enjoyed some of the personal stories about Al but didn't find the author credible enough to suit me.
Although the author sometimes talks about how she needed (and got) more information to conclude something very positive about Al when others have understood events differently, I got the feeling throughout the book that she's "pulling for him" way too hard. The author also sometimes ignored indisputable, available evidence when it conflicted with her portrayal of Al as more of a beleaguered, misunderstood guy than anything else. (Although she points out he wasn't perfect... which I've never heard anyone argue against.)
For example, she tells how high-level federal penitentiary officials sent Uncle Al to Alcatraz without any good reason. They were just trying to make his life as miserable as possible. However, I recall seeing a photo in "Alcatraz: A Definitive History of the Penitentiary Years" that showed huge furniture in Al's cell at Atlanta U.S. Penitentiary. The Atlanta prison officials had basically pampered Al and allowed him to continue running his gang business from his cell. The feds sent Al to Alcatraz so he'd be treated exactly like every other inmate there.
The book seems filled with the author's personal memories of Al. The author includes a tremendous amount of details. Al died when the author was only seven years old. Perhaps she has a phenomenal memory; it's way too much for me to readily believe.
A different type of example of author's total inattention to accuracy: She referred to a family member who didn't have to go fight in World War I, in which she said 100 million U.S. soldiers died. The total population of the U.S. in the census just four years previous to WWI was less than 100 million people. About 117,000 U.S. soldiers died in that war (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Wa...). So based on the author's number:
1. For every U.S. soldier who died in World War I, the author reported about 855 dead U.S. soldiers.
2. Every man, woman, and child in the U.S. was killed in World War I. And that still did not account for all the deaths she reported.
Overall, I enjoyed some of the personal stories about Al but didn't find the author credible enough to suit me.
April 8, 2022
This wonderful book brings the family of Al Capone to life. Loaded with facts, many never told before about the life and death of Uncle Al.
Steve Fischer
author of When The Mob Ran Vegas
August 13, 2021
Picked this book up while visiting Alcatraz last month. Book is written by Al Capone’s grand niece who tells about Al Capone from inside the Capone family. Not the hard criminal the world perceived him to be. Definitely a five star reading if you like wanting to know more about Alcatraz and the resident criminals especially Al Capone.
August 3, 2016
Ah, the roaring 20's. A time of drink, jazz and endless rebellion. No mere prohibition amendment could deprive folks of their pleasures. At the head of this rebellion was none other than the notorious gangster/businessman Al Capone. Deidre Capone, the author and great niece of public enemy number 1, does well to humanize the demonized character known as Scarface without deifying him. However, throughout the book you can’t help but cogitate how bias her account may be. She is after all a Capone. Nevertheless, we must be cognizant of the fact that there is no man either good or bad. Circumstance plays a major role in paving our paths. And so the story unravels. The law of prohibition (the banning of liquor) was ignored by the majority of the citizenry. Was it wrong for one to capitalize on this demand for liquor? As a businessman, Capone makes a compelling case as to who is to blame, the buyer or the seller? This book does well to shed light on the question: was Al Capone the villain the media has painted him to be or simply an Italian businessman chasing the American Dream (or as many now call it: the Horatio Alger myth). The author then goes on to recount losing her friends, jobs, and other opportunities, once people learned she was related to infamous gang leader Al Capone. Nonetheless she lived to tell her tale and her circumstance shaped her into the woman she is today. I believe that this book was an outlet for her to present her truth to the world. It’s a story about perseverance, rebellion, forgiveness and kinship. This memoir is a must read because it brings a fresh perspective to the other Al Capone biographies, and clears up many misconceptions made by biographers, journalist and the media. If you want to learn some revealing truths about the man, the myth, read Uncle Capone.
January 10, 2012
Normally, this is not a book I would even think of picking up to read for leisure. Having been a history major I was forced to read one too many snooze worthy historical accounts about days and people of the past. Don't get me wrong, I loved majoring in history, but it takes a gifted writer to make history come alive and keep a reader engrossed in the story. Dierdre Capone has that ability. I still cannot believe that while I was visiting Alcatraz on my trip to San Francisco last October, Dierdre Marie Capone was there signing copies of her book. I will admit, I got completely starstruck and knew I just had to buy her book and speak to her. I mean, how often does one get a chance to meet Al Capone's great niece? Dierdre was a very warm and humble person, and I feel very honored to have had the opportunity to speak to her. I am ashamed to admit that life got busy and I just got around to reading her story, especially since it's such an eye opening one. I don't know if I have ever been so taken by a historical account. Dierdre presents a side to Al Capone that most, no scratch that, NONE of us have never known. It is sad that history has vilified this man and this family so much. We have all taken at face value the lies and horrors we have been taught growing up, but Dierdre reminds us that there are two sides to every story and provides us with a side of Al Capone that the world has never seen - the kind and caring Al Capone. The Al Capone that was a son and a father and an uncle. Thank you so much for sharing your story, Dierdre. I can only imagine how difficult and painful it was for you to relive the loss and heartache as you strung together the history of your family.
April 30, 2025
This was an excellent read about the legendary gangster Al Capone. This book really tells a story about him that it’s not written in any history book or any other biography that’s written about him. Is everything that’s good that’s written about him in this book all true? The truth is, I don’t know, however it’s extremely compelling and really gives me a different prospective. If you read this book, I believe it truly asks you, is he good or is he bad? So if you’re a mob enthusiast or a Capone enthusiast and love mafia history plus the prohibition era, give this a read! It’s very enjoyable.
January 11, 2021
Really enjoyed reading about the Capone family and what they were like. I'd give it 5 stars if it wasn't for some bits being blatantly wrong, and I'm surprised these weren't caught before publication. I wanted to know more about Ralph rather than Al Capone, incidentally, and seeing as how this was written by his granddaughter I was not disappointed.
February 6, 2014
First off, the book is interesting to hear about what the home life in the Capone house was like. The image presented is that of any typical Italian family that gets together for Sunday dinner and enjoys a big meal. It is a shame that Deirdre is the only Capone to date to write a book. The rest of the family is notoriously private; and with good reason. I would have loved to have read Sonny or Mae's memoirs. We'll have to settle for Deirdre Capone; the grand niece of Al Capone.
She was 7 when he died. She didn't write this book until more than 60 years had past. As such, she is relying on memories and stories that are more than a half century old. Even then, she is relating stories as told to her by her gangster grandfather and relatives. Here in lies the problem: While she claims she is not trying to redeem Al Capone or Ralph Capone's legacy, she does tell what can only be described as biased family-versions of what happened. The most glaring is the claim that the Chicago police were the real killers of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. I'm sorry, but that scenario has never passed the smell test. Not even in 1929. Also, they found the guns used in the massacre on the gangster Fred Burke (though, amazingly, he was never charged with the crime). I don't think she's trying to deceive us with her version of events. I think she actually believes it. She knows what she knows because her grandfather told her so (Ralph Capone). No one wants to think of their parents or family members as liars, let alone murderers.
A major problem I had with this book was the historical inadequacies. Deirdre gets certain verifiable dates wrong. She gives two different dates throughout the book as Al Capone's birthdate; both of which are wrong. She makes the claim that Johnny Torrio brought Capone out to Chicago to have a 50% stake in the gang's bootlegging empire. In reality, he was a doorman at the 4 Deuces, letting pedestrians know about all the, "nice girls inside." She also makes the claim that Al Capone graduated high school. She claims she has a picture of Al with his father while holding the diploma, yet we don't see that picture among the many family photographs she has included in her book. All sources report Al dropped out in the 6th grade after assaulting his teacher. Worse yet, the book has no sources. There is no index, bibliography, or anything to show where she is getting her information. She makes tired claims like how Joseph Kennedy was a bootlegger (a lie that wasn't invented until 1960) or completely made-up claims like how the Rockefeller were bootleggers (LOL, WAT?).
Also, she makes the shocking claim that Mae Capone was not the biological mother of Sonny Capone. I've heard that theory before, but I am surprised to hear it from someone from the Capone family; especially since the family has previously and angrily denounced such an accusation. Also, the historical evidence does not support this claim.
I would recommend this book AFTER having read Schoenberg's Mr. Capone and Kobler's Capone. Get the facts, first. Then read this book as a novelty. The home life stories are interesting and provide some color into the domestic life of Capone in the 1940s; long after his reign of King of Chicago had ended. It is also interesting to learn how Capone's legacy impacted his heirs and the struggles they had to go through with having a "bad name". I would not read the book to educate yourself on Prohibition history. Here, she is lacking.
I'm giving this book 3 stars. I enjoyed it and it is a good read. I enjoyed seeing never-before-seen photographs of the Capones. The picture of Al Capone dressed as Santa Clause was a real treat. However, the lack of professionalism with the absence of a "works cited" page has left an awful taste in my mouth. It creates a shadow over the whole work. No high school history teacher would accept such a report.
She was 7 when he died. She didn't write this book until more than 60 years had past. As such, she is relying on memories and stories that are more than a half century old. Even then, she is relating stories as told to her by her gangster grandfather and relatives. Here in lies the problem: While she claims she is not trying to redeem Al Capone or Ralph Capone's legacy, she does tell what can only be described as biased family-versions of what happened. The most glaring is the claim that the Chicago police were the real killers of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. I'm sorry, but that scenario has never passed the smell test. Not even in 1929. Also, they found the guns used in the massacre on the gangster Fred Burke (though, amazingly, he was never charged with the crime). I don't think she's trying to deceive us with her version of events. I think she actually believes it. She knows what she knows because her grandfather told her so (Ralph Capone). No one wants to think of their parents or family members as liars, let alone murderers.
A major problem I had with this book was the historical inadequacies. Deirdre gets certain verifiable dates wrong. She gives two different dates throughout the book as Al Capone's birthdate; both of which are wrong. She makes the claim that Johnny Torrio brought Capone out to Chicago to have a 50% stake in the gang's bootlegging empire. In reality, he was a doorman at the 4 Deuces, letting pedestrians know about all the, "nice girls inside." She also makes the claim that Al Capone graduated high school. She claims she has a picture of Al with his father while holding the diploma, yet we don't see that picture among the many family photographs she has included in her book. All sources report Al dropped out in the 6th grade after assaulting his teacher. Worse yet, the book has no sources. There is no index, bibliography, or anything to show where she is getting her information. She makes tired claims like how Joseph Kennedy was a bootlegger (a lie that wasn't invented until 1960) or completely made-up claims like how the Rockefeller were bootleggers (LOL, WAT?).
Also, she makes the shocking claim that Mae Capone was not the biological mother of Sonny Capone. I've heard that theory before, but I am surprised to hear it from someone from the Capone family; especially since the family has previously and angrily denounced such an accusation. Also, the historical evidence does not support this claim.
I would recommend this book AFTER having read Schoenberg's Mr. Capone and Kobler's Capone. Get the facts, first. Then read this book as a novelty. The home life stories are interesting and provide some color into the domestic life of Capone in the 1940s; long after his reign of King of Chicago had ended. It is also interesting to learn how Capone's legacy impacted his heirs and the struggles they had to go through with having a "bad name". I would not read the book to educate yourself on Prohibition history. Here, she is lacking.
I'm giving this book 3 stars. I enjoyed it and it is a good read. I enjoyed seeing never-before-seen photographs of the Capones. The picture of Al Capone dressed as Santa Clause was a real treat. However, the lack of professionalism with the absence of a "works cited" page has left an awful taste in my mouth. It creates a shadow over the whole work. No high school history teacher would accept such a report.
August 5, 2015
This was so awful. This book clearly did not have an editor. The writing was bad--it was like stream-of-consciousness that was never looked over again--there were tons of typos, and it was not even engaging. I was not convinced at all by the authors "inside info" and "stunning revelations," and mostly it felt like a great idea of a book that fell horribly, horribly flat.
September 20, 2012
Well, even more so I decided I don't like biographies. I made it a couple of chapters. Just not interested.
February 6, 2023
3.5/5 🌟 This book was somewhat hard for me to get into. It gave a great perspective of Al Capone and the Outfits from a family member’s POV. Once I determined this is an excellent example of “there are always three sides to the story” meaning the public opinion, family opinion, and then the truth lies somewhere in between, I was able to finish the book easily. I certainly empathize with the author and her family for their lived experience and enjoyed learning a different side of the Capone family history. While at times hard to follow, the historical timeline provided interesting context. I look forward to trying some of the recipes in the back of the book. All in all, I enjoyed it after I got into it and understood the stories she was weaving together to get the big picture across: there was more depth to Al Capone (and the Capone family for that matter) than he was given credit for.
August 1, 2019
I am giving this book a low rating because it makes incredible claims based on flimsy source material. The success claim of the Roe and Cole escape is based on a letter from an inmate...and that's it? I'm willing to consider an alternative view of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, but some of the other claims, especially the Alcatraz parts, seem too far fetched. When a family member makes these claims, we scrutinize them harshly because of the bias, but there doesn't seem to be any great source material. That doesn't mean they are not true, but it's not enough for me to discount other evidence about his life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2017
Went to listen to Deidre Capone speak, bought the book, and it was a pleasure. She doesn't make excuses for him, but rather tells the side nobody witnessed, not the cigar smoking characters that people come to know, but a family man, who would do whatever he could to excel. Right or wrong. Fascinating .
December 9, 2019
I loved hearing the other side of the story. I picked this book up on a trip to Alcatraz. My husband’s Italian family comes from the south side of Chicago, so I also really enjoyed the similar family experiences I’ve heard about from his extended family of growing up in that neighborhood with Italian grandparents.
July 10, 2023
This was a personal memoir, an exercise in showing how the author cared for her uncle, Al Capone. I liked it because it was not just a linear sharing of his life events. It was her interactions with her uncle and the rest of the Capone family. He had a human side. She was lucky enough to experience that.
July 1, 2022
Interesting stories about the Capone family, relationships, help to the community. Always good to hear the other side of the "bad guys". The book itself is poorly written, repetitive, could have done with better editing. But it has recipes in the end, so a win.
September 9, 2022
My papa worked for AL Capone in the 20's in South Arkansas......I
Wonderful book as I love this Era and gave me a better idea of papa's situation then....the money was good and he grew up very poor...
Wonderful book as I love this Era and gave me a better idea of papa's situation then....the money was good and he grew up very poor...
November 17, 2018
Interesting book
Very interesting to hear the stories from the view of the family. Nice to see the family pics and also the shared recipes
Very interesting to hear the stories from the view of the family. Nice to see the family pics and also the shared recipes
February 10, 2019
Part memoir, part biography written by the grand-niece of Al Capone. It offers a personal, inside look at Capone.
June 11, 2021
Deirdre's story is very different than what we've learned about Al Capone. I learned a lot about Italian traditions and customs. I'm looking forward to trying some of the Capone family recipes.
November 17, 2024
VERY insightful, wonderfully written and definitely a book I will read again (I've already read it twice).
June 16, 2025
This book was super interesting and good so glad I read it
April 16, 2016
I picked this book up because I am trying to learn about the history of Hot Springs Arkansas where I own a second home and spend vacation time. Hot Springs, I learned from touring the nations only Gangster Museum there, (http://www.tgmoa.com) was not only run by mobsters but was also the only “neutral territory” between mob gangs as well as government officials; thus the connection to Al Capone. Although this book was sold in their gift shop, it was a little disappointing because there is only one short paragraph about Hot Springs. I thought the book was “OK”. It was definitely a very biased look at Al Capone’s life from his great niece who was 7 when he died. (She sure has a good memory) I learned a lot about the Capone family over all. This is a must read for anyone fascinated by Capone as Deirdre’s alternate theories on the St. Valentines Day Massacre and other events seem like they could be pretty legitimate. Editing was lousy in a few spots and although I normally don’t care or comment on such things, in one spot she references the one hundred million Americans who died in WWI (it was really around 117,000 - a huge difference!) Overall I wouldn’t recommend this book unless you are specifically interested in the Capone family story and history.
February 10, 2017
This is a unique look at Al Capone. I found it very interesting and a good book to read to get away from the all to often "exaggerated media view". I like that the author is a family member and gives her honest views. I recommend this book to anyone who is the least bit interested in Al Capone.
March 9, 2015
One can only judge Al Capone ones he or she has read this book. I remember someone saying this in the Chicago Tribune. And after having read this book myself this man was right. All those people who did an attempt of writing a good biography about Al Capone all had to do research. without being completely sure if it was right what they claimed to say in their books. Miss Deidre Capone grew up with this family and is the only person in the world who is able to write a very good Biography.
The reason I always hated Robert De Niro's performance as Al Capone was because he presented him as a monster and Al Capone wasn't a monster. He indeed killed some people but Al Capone was human. He loved his son, he loved his wife Etc. This book shows that Al Capone had a heart. The book is really interesting and is as close to the truth as possible. This book is very informative and very interesting as well. It gives a new look- now a loo from inside the family.
I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for Al Capone.
The reason I always hated Robert De Niro's performance as Al Capone was because he presented him as a monster and Al Capone wasn't a monster. He indeed killed some people but Al Capone was human. He loved his son, he loved his wife Etc. This book shows that Al Capone had a heart. The book is really interesting and is as close to the truth as possible. This book is very informative and very interesting as well. It gives a new look- now a loo from inside the family.
I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for Al Capone.
April 24, 2012
Uncle Al Capone – The Untold Story from Inside His Family by Deirdre Marie Capone is an amazing story of family loyalty,murder,gangsters,power,money,biography,and the truth about Al Capone as told from a family member. What an interesting story with insight into the Capone family,the Chicago underworld,Chicago history,family receipes,and the 1920 to the 1940 era. You will be both intrigued and amazed by this title. A must read for anyone who enjoys family,and the wonders of the Capone empire. Received for an honest review from Ascot Media and the author. Details can be found at the author’s website, Recaplodge LLC,and My Book Addiction and More.
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: NONE(Biography)
REVIEWED BY: AprilR,My Book Addiction and More
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: NONE(Biography)
REVIEWED BY: AprilR,My Book Addiction and More
July 28, 2016
Heartfelt family history
This is a book written from the heart, it's written by Al Capone's niece who for the longest time suffered with carrying the Capone name and the shadow of shady deals,murders and violence, the story moved with her throughout her life.
Deidre Capone writes of Al Capone as a generous, and flawed fellow, who left a big hole in his family , once he went to jail, and then after his release and subsequent death. It's a shame that the system treated him and his family with such distrust, and to be honest the way all imprisoned people were treated was dubious if not bordering on torture. But this story brought it home that the public enemy 1,2,and 3 were not only the Capones but the people on the other side of the law too.
This is a book written from the heart, it's written by Al Capone's niece who for the longest time suffered with carrying the Capone name and the shadow of shady deals,murders and violence, the story moved with her throughout her life.
Deidre Capone writes of Al Capone as a generous, and flawed fellow, who left a big hole in his family , once he went to jail, and then after his release and subsequent death. It's a shame that the system treated him and his family with such distrust, and to be honest the way all imprisoned people were treated was dubious if not bordering on torture. But this story brought it home that the public enemy 1,2,and 3 were not only the Capones but the people on the other side of the law too.
April 1, 2014
Such a fascinating perspective on Al Capone! However, his book was heart breaking to me. I couldn't stop thinking about my great grandparents, my grandparents and my great uncles Ralph and Dom. I would love to be able to talk to them about how it was in the 20's and what it felt like to have a fellow Italian running Chicago. The family aspect of this book is undeniably Italian. So many stories ring true to my Italian family. And what true Italian doesn't have an aunt named Mafalda? I did! The writing was mediocre, and there were flaws, but this book made me rethink what I know about Al Capone. He was a family man, and family meant the world to him.
January 23, 2013
An interesting inside look at the Capone family from a niece who lived with both the man Al Capone and the media's view of the Public Enemy Number One. Many interesting never before told private stories softened my view of Capone. Many politicians and law enforcement types were on the take and put it all on Big Al by demonizing him in the press. I would have certainly been a customer if I lived back then. I know my grandparents on both sides were.
The author had to live with the public image of the man who was much different from the private man she knew. An excellent story. Loved the meatball recipe!
The author had to live with the public image of the man who was much different from the private man she knew. An excellent story. Loved the meatball recipe!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews