Member Reviews
Dan O, Bookseller
My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Little, Brown and Company for an advance copy of this history of crime, corruption in early 1900's New York City and the brave men and women who did their best to stop it, and how it changed the history of organized crime.
New York City is the greatest city in the world. New York City is also to quote The Pogues "No place for the old." Or the poor, or the disenfranchised. Especially at the early part of the 1900's. So many people fleeing the Old World to make it in the New World. Rich people wanting to keep their power, poor people trying to make their fortunes. And a police force, with a few exceptions, for rent to the highest bidder. Gambling halls filled the streets, men stole women's futures, forcing them to work in bawdy houses, extortionists preyed on any business they could. People made and lost fortunes, made their reputations, or lost their lives. Much of this done by members of their own community in the lower East Side of New York. Until a crime happened that brought a little too much sunlight into the area, allowing a group of reformers to hit back at these gangs. And changed organized crime in America. The Incorruptibles: A True Story of Kingpins, Crime Busters, and the Birth of the American Underworld by Dan Slater is a look at a part of American history that will be unfamiliar to many, the crime syndicates that rose in political and financial power, led to anti-immigrant feelings, and destroyed countless lives.
The Lower East Side of New York City was full of people, in fact more people than anywhere in the world. These people brought their religion, traditions and ways of life from their home countries to the New World. This included ideas on crime and how groups would come together to make money, and protect themselves from those who would try and take it away. Be it other criminals, police, or even worse reformers. Gambling was big, as was prostitution. Young women would be lured away, placed in horrible situations, and knowing they could never go home, because of the shame of what has happened, be thrust into a life, without a future. The death of a major gambler, brought attention to this world, attention that was too much for a group of affluent business types. They feared that this could lead to problems, for the people living in the country, and those who wanted to come here. These men used their money to hire a group of reformers, who went from making reports, to breaking down doors with the police, changing the power structures of these gangs. Stopping a few, but allowing more subtle ones to gain in power, and money.
A look at a part of New York history that will be a revelation to many. I have read a lot of books about the rise of organized crime in the city, and always came across the mention of Jewish gangs, but never realized how much of a power they were. And a force to be reckoned with. Slater is a very good writer who has done a ton of research and interviews with the descendents of many of the people involved. Slater talks about the crime, the reformers, even the history of the clothing business in the city, as this was all tied in. Slater's stories about the women though are quite well done. I have to admit one of my favorite characters was a woman called Tony the Tough, who was forced into the world of prostitution, and yet fought as hard as she could to get out with her mind, her brawn and her hatpin. Slater also discusses the early police techniques, dictaphones to record conversations, tapping phone lines, and my favorite a weighted umbrella to bring to fights. A very good story about crime, society, and what people allow to assimilate.
Recommended for true crime fans, people who love to read histories of New York, and those who love interesting stories about people trying to get by, or in some cases make life better for others, even when everything is against them.
