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Al Capone

His Life, Legacy, and Legend
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( 879 ratings, 104 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Al Capone by Deirdre Bair offers an in-depth exploration into the life of America's most notorious gangster. The biography delves into his rise to power during the Prohibition era, his complex personality, and the myriad of myths surrounding his legacy. Bair provides a balanced perspective, drawing on extensive research and interviews to paint a comprehensive portrait of Capone's public and private life.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this captivating biography if you're intrigued by the complexities of notorious historical figures and their impact on American society. This book offers a detailed, nuanced exploration of one of the most infamous gangsters in history, shedding light on his personal life and criminal exploits while providing a richly textured narrative that brings the past to life.

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Originally published: New York: Nan A. Talese / Doubleday, 2016.

From a National Book Award-winning biographer, the first complete life of legendary gangster Al Capone to be produced with the cooperation of his family, who provided the author with exclusive access to personal testimony and archival documents.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

From the National Book Award-winning biographer, the first complete life of legendary gangster Al Capone to be written with the cooperation of his family, who provided the author with exclusive access to personal testimony and archives.

At the height of Prohibition, Al Capone loomed large as Public Enemy Number One — his multimillion-dollar Chicago Outfit dominated organized crime, and law enforcement was powerless to stop him. But then came the fall — a legal noose tightened by the FBI, a conviction on tax evasion, a stint in Alcatraz. After his release, he returned to his family in Miami a much diminished man, living quietly until the ravages of his neurosyphilis took their final toll.

Our shared fascination with Capone endures in countless novels and movies, but the man behind the legend has remained a mystery. Now, through rigorous research and exclusive access to Capone's family, National Book Award-winning biographer Deirdre Bair cuts through the mythology, uncovering a complex character who was flawed and cruel but also capable of nobility. At once intimate and iconoclastic, Al Capone gives us the definitive account of a quintessentially American figure.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Deirdre Bair's biography on Al Capone is praised for its in-depth exploration and debunking of prevalent myths, offering an engaging and complex portrayal. Critics highlight its compelling readability, well-researched content, and the humanising depiction of Capone, blending psychological insight with rich historical context. The book is noted for presenting a nuanced view of Capone, revealing an intricate and surprising portrait of the man behind the infamous legend.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780345804518

Publisher: Random House USA Inc

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 31 October 2017

Country: United States

Imprint: Anchor Books

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 23.0mm

Width: 132.0mm

Height: 201.0mm

Weight: 340g

Pages: 416

About the Author

Deirdre Bairreceived the National Book Award forSamuel Beckett- A Biography. Her biographies of Simone de Beauvoir and Carl Jung were finalists for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and the Simone de Beauvoir biography was chosen byThe New York Timesas a Best Book of the Year. Her biography of Anais Nin and her most recent book,Saul Steinberg- A Biography,were bothNew York TimesNotable Books. www.deirdrebairauthor.com

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