Al Capone's Beer Wars: A Complete History of Organized Crime in Chicago during Prohibition

Al Capone's rise and fall as the boss of the Chicago mob is covered in John J. Binder's book, which also looks at other significant rackets like prostitution, gambling, labor and business racketeering, and narcotics. It refutes misconceptions and myths about the Capone gang and other criminal groups, the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, and gangland killings, providing a comprehensive picture of how Chicago's underworld evolved during Prohibition.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 414 pages
Publication date: 15 January 2023
Publisher: Prometheus Books

Although a significant amount of literature has been produced on Al Capone, there has not yet been a comprehensive account of organized crime in Chicago during the Prohibition era. This meticulously researched book spans the entire period from 1920 to 1933. Author John J. Binder, a renowned expert on the history of organized crime in Chicago, delves into the details of all the significant bootlegging gangs in the city and its suburbs, as well as exploring other major rackets such as prostitution, gambling, labor and business racketeering, and narcotics. A central focus of the book is on how the Capone gang, one of twelve major bootlegging mobs in Chicago at the onset of Prohibition, managed to establish a virtual monopoly over organized crime in northern Illinois and beyond. Binder also provides an account of the efforts by federal and local authorities, as well as citizen groups, to combat organized crime. In the course of his research, Binder debunks numerous myths and misconceptions associated with the Capone gang, other criminal groups, the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, and gangland killings. What emerges is a comprehensive portrayal of how Chicago's underworld underwent significant transformation during this period. This broad perspective extends beyond Capone and specific acts of violence, shedding light on what was happening in other parts of Chicagoland and beyond Capone's imprisonment. Drawing upon 25 years of extensive research and utilizing numerous previously unexplored sources, this captivating account of a bloody and colorful era in Chicago history will undoubtedly become the definitive work on the subject.

Weight: 599g
Dimension: 227 x 153 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781633888326