Al Capone: His Life, Legacy, and Legend Hardcover – Deckle Edge, October 25, 2016

This new Deirdre Bair book, excellently written as we come to expect from this seasoned author, will be the cause of letters of complaints. Again there are nights without sleep ahead, since her writing on Al Capone in all its facets is so elegantly alluring, sagaciously seductive and impossible to put down, even when ones eyelids react to sleepiness. Well, let the left sleep while the right reads on and vice versa. I am through once and already back to Al’s early Brooklyn days. Being ranked up by his crime and living style mentor Johnny Torrio to take the ladder up to the top charge of Chicago’s Outfit business, I feel the latter to be guilty of serious behindology. It was he, relaxing in Brooklyn still, who suggested to Capone (p.188) to use his personal tax lawyer, L.P. Mattingly, who’s actions were in a very large way responsible, for Al Capone’s final fall down. Maybe Torrio did want to get rid of his general, as Al did pull most of the strings in Chicago. As a 30 year old street wise come-hither, who trusted his idol nearly blindly, not to bother, as Bair finely writes, about looking more careful into the tax evasion issue, which Mattingly so unprofessionally mixed up in Al’s unfavour. This good intentioned path finally led to years in prison in Alcatraz The atrocious bad treatment of his illness syphilis, reduced his life shorter than need be. Bair’s writing is so grand; I can be in the story for hours, without realising, that I am reading this life. She writes on four levels: Family history as truly recovered as can be (she is the first biographer, invited by the family to have inner access); Crime history of the USA and Chicago in particular; Trial story and history of the law, including alcohol prohibition; and finally a dense and enlightening metalogue, to them loose ends. With a beautiful language, this prolific writer, succinctly depicts family experience and immigration, puts a description of the horrific crime activities and delivers a tremendous analysis of her findings from within the family and the social cultural legends round Al. Finally The Legacy Chapter, is densely illuminating, about the various intricacies, which she had to deal with, while researching this seventh book of hers. She weaves this tapestry of family relationships - true, fancied and hilariously lied about - into a coherent whole. Once again, Deirdre Bair has shown us what a formidable writer artist she is, and the fact that Nan A. Talese publishes this championed writer, is like a knighthood she deserves.Theodor Itten: Psychotherapist, Sankt Gallen Switzerland

My first thought when I saw this book was what is this one going to say about Al Capone that several others have not. This is not a biography of Al Capone's life with an emphasis on crime. If you're looking for added information about the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, the rub out of Dean O'Banion or numerous others you won't find it in this book. One exception I noted was the attempt by Albert Anselmi, John Scalise, and "The Dancing Torpedo" himself namely Joseph "Hop Toad" Guinta and their attempt to turn on Capone and take over his empire. I have previously read that this pre-murder "party" was held in a roadhouse near Hammond, Indiana, while author Bair states that it may have taken place at the Hawthorne Hotel in Cicero.Instead author Deirdre Bair has dealt primarily with the private life of Al Capone with an emphasis son his relationship with numerous other members of his his family such as his mother Teresa, wife Mae, his son Sonny, sister Mafalda, Ralph and son Ralphie, and other siblings. Emphasis is placed on how this devoted family man and friend of the downtrodden could be such a murderous thug.Finally the author places a lot of emphasis on Capone's final years when his body and brain were wracked by syphilis causing him to have the mentality of a seven to fourteen year old. The author states the grave marker of the Capone family is hidden by bushes. It was previously but a few years ago the bushes were removed with the name prominently displayed.The book contains eight pages of photographs several of which I have never seen previously.

A written book about one of Americas must notorious outlaws; highly suggest it.

One of the best mob books with truly amazing behind the scenes stories. Highly recommended. Must read for mob enthusiasts

Surprisingly interesting for a book about a man who has been done quite often. In chronological order for the most part - author tells you when a time line jump is coming. Well written in a way that is sympathetic to Al's family. Less about the Alcatraz period than I would have liked, but it was covered briefly. Good read. Worth the time.

I had hoped to find some insights into a gangster who became one of the great social media phenomena before there was social media. But I found this book poorly organized, wandering and opinionated, without offering much in the way of new useful or profound thoughts. The author interviewed many of Capone's descendants who didn't or couldn't tell her much and so many early facts of his life are lost or have passed into legend and remain unresolved. The author takes excessive care to note discrepancies "maybe Al's scars came from a knife fight (or maybe they didn't)" when it would have more judicious just to say nothing and make the book shorter and crisper. Capone's rise from a minor capo in Johnny Torrio's Chicago crime syndicate to the head of a ruthless all-encompassing crime business is not described succinctly. It's unclear too how his brief career came to an end--maybe syphilis clouded his mind, maybe other crime lords conspired to divide up the country without him, maybe Chicago's rich and important private figures tried to end the reign of crime in their city--this also is unfocused. His arrests and trial are described in excessive, boring detail.The author seems amazed at his notoriety both then and now, and continually muses upon his fame. She returns to these speculations again and again, which lengthen the book without however adding anything important.In summary this is a book burdened by excessive, but often contentious detail and repetitive speculation which make it lengthy and difficult to follow. It would have benefited by aggressive editing which would have sharpened the narrative and reduced the length considerably.

Worthy biography. A lot of personal details about the man and his methods.

This was an uneven read for me. I enjoy biographies and history. The parts I enjoyed in the book was the history of the subject which seemed well researched and insightful. The story-telling was rich and engaging as one might expect given the subject here. The part I found annoying was the constant reminders that details we were reading in this book were more accurate that in the any other book about Capone. I really didn't care and just wanted to engage with the story. The book may have benefitted from some judicious editing out of the many "why this book beats the others" parts. Still, quite a story!

Deirdre Bair is a brilliant writer. She is the only biographer who has the talent, research skills and persistence to tackle Al Capone. It is a revelation.

Good book