Al Capone began his life amongst 9 children in Brooklyn; his father was a barber and his mother sewed gowns. Al was a promising student until he hit his teacher in the face; his school career ended at 14-years. By 19-years, Al Capone was married, had a son, and was telling folks he was moving to Chicago.
In Chicago, Capone told folks he was a boxing promoter. However, he was really becoming part of Chicago's nightlife. In fact, that is where he got syphilis, which would trouble him for the rest of his life. Capone seemed to be able to negotiate skirmishes between the various Chicago crime families and create treaties. If the treaty didn't work, then murder did.
Capone was only 26 when he suddenly became the most powerful gangster in Chicago. His group specialized in bootlegging and protection rackets. Capone's reputation as a Robin Hood died as his reputation for brutal violence increased. A telling quote from this book is "Police corruption of greater Illinois was apparently so bad that local citizens hat to pay criminals in order to stop the actions of other criminals." (chapter 3)
I was shocked to see that Capone was already in prison by 1929 (for a short stint). However, it was his incarceration in Alcatraz and his solitary confinement (for 1 week) that seemed to take the will out of the man. By the time Capone emerged from prison, he was a broken man (~42-years-of-age). He lived for about 48 years.
Hourly History included a tremendous amount of info into such a short book.
In Chicago, Capone told folks he was a boxing promoter. However, he was really becoming part of Chicago's nightlife. In fact, that is where he got syphilis, which would trouble him for the rest of his life. Capone seemed to be able to negotiate skirmishes between the various Chicago crime families and create treaties. If the treaty didn't work, then murder did.
Capone was only 26 when he suddenly became the most powerful gangster in Chicago. His group specialized in bootlegging and protection rackets. Capone's reputation as a Robin Hood died as his reputation for brutal violence increased. A telling quote from this book is "Police corruption of greater Illinois was apparently so bad that local citizens hat to pay criminals in order to stop the actions of other criminals." (chapter 3)
I was shocked to see that Capone was already in prison by 1929 (for a short stint). However, it was his incarceration in Alcatraz and his solitary confinement (for 1 week) that seemed to take the will out of the man. By the time Capone emerged from prison, he was a broken man (~42-years-of-age). He lived for about 48 years.
Hourly History included a tremendous amount of info into such a short book.
