The Bulldog Detective: William J. Flynn and America's First War against the Mafia, Spies, and Terrorists

William J. Flynn was the first government official to bring down the powerful Mafia, uncover a sophisticated German spy ring in the United States, and launch a formal war on terrorism. He was the Director of the Bureau of Investigation and Chief of the Secret Service, and his success against the Mafia made him famous. He devised the first counterterrorist strategy in U.S. history and appointed J. Edgar Hoover to the Bureaus newly created Radical Division. His distinguished career came to an inglorious end when he was unable to find the perpetrators of the infamous Wall Street bombing in September 1920.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 16 January 2024
Publisher: Prometheus Books

America in the early twentieth century was a hotbed of threats, with organized crime groups like The Mafia, German spies embedded behind enemy lines ahead of World War I, package bombs sent throughout the country, and the 1920 Wall Street bombing dominating headlines. Despite these daunting challenges, the story of the one man tasked with combatting these threats has yet to be fully told. The Life and Times of William J. Flynn is the first book to chronicle the remarkable life and career of William J. Flynn, the first government official to bring down the powerful Mafia, uncover a sophisticated German spy ring in the United States, and launch a formal war on terrorism. As the Director of the Bureau of Investigation (the forerunner to the FBI), Flynn would become one of the most respected and effective law enforcement officials in American history.

Long before Eliot Ness and the Untouchables went after Al Capone and the Italian mob in Chicago, Flynn dismantled the first Mafia family to exist in America. His success against the Mafia made him famous, with front-page stories about him in newspapers across the country. His rise through the ranks was swift. As Chief of the Secret Service (then an organization devoted to intelligence rather than protecting the president), Flynn, nicknamed "the Bulldog" for his tenacity in pursuing leads, again won national acclaim when he uncovered a sophisticated German sabotage campaign in the United States on the eve of American entry into World War I.

As the Director of the Bureau of Investigation, Flynn would devise the first counterterrorist strategy in U.S. history in his investigation of the anarchist terrorists leaving bombs across the country. He would also appoint an ambitious library clerk named J. Edgar Hoover to the Bureaus newly created Radical Division. Flynn's distinguished career came to an abrupt end when he was forced to resign from his post in 1924 due to allegations of misconduct. However, his legacy as a fearless and innovative law enforcement official continues to inspire and influence modern-day law enforcement.

In conclusion, The Life and Times of William J. Flynn is a groundbreaking work that sheds light on the untold story of a remarkable man who played a crucial role in shaping the history of law enforcement in the United States. Flynn's life and career are a testament to the power of determination, courage, and innovation in the face of adversity. His legacy as the first government official to bring down the Mafia, uncover a German spy ring, and launch a formal war on terrorism will continue to inspire generations to come.

Weight: 586g
Dimension: 237 x 161 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781633888654