Gangster City:
The History of the New York Underground
by Patrick Downey
June 2004 | $23.95 | Hardcover | ISBN: 978-1-56980-267-0
Gangster City is arguably the most comprehensive book written to date on New York City's underworld from 1900-1920. Its pages chronicle virtually every widely known (and lesser known) Mafioso, bootlegger, racketeer, and thug who terrorized the city in the early 20th century. The murders of some six-hundred-plus gangsters are profiled in detail. Beginning with the reign of Monk Eastman, this veritable encyclopedia of the New York underworld explores the origins of Mafia initiation rites and uncovers the most important gang wars, many still unfamiliar to average readers. Also, for the first time ever, an in-depth look into the career of Vincent Coll reveals his probable killer, while myths are dispelled about the Irish White Hand gang as their demise is frequently, but wrongly, attributed to a carefully planned attack by Al Capone. With a full listing of the specific addresses where criminals were killed throughout the New York and New Jersey area, Patrick Downey brings to life and expands all previous knowledge of this infamous era in American history. This is volume one of a two-volume series. Volume two will cover the years 1920-1940.
Patrick Downey
Patrick Downey grew up in the Detroit area before moving to New York in 1990 to pursue a career in stand-up comedy. When not performing, he can be found in the New York Public Library and NYC Municipal Archives researching New York's gangster past.
