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Get Capone: The Secret Plot That Captured America's Most Wanted Gangster Audiobook
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(3.07) - 348 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Acclaimed journalist and bestselling author Jonathan Eig blows the lid off the Al Capone story. Based on never-before-seen government documents and newly discovered letters written by Al Capone himself, Get Capone presents America's greatest gangster as you've never seen him before. In addition to IRS files, Eig got hold of the personal papers of the U.S. attorney in Chicago who prosecuted Capone. He even found family members who would share stories about their notorious relative.
The author, a former reporter for the Wall Street Journal, brings his uncompromising standards for research and his superb knack for storytelling to one of the most thrilling stories in American history. This eye-opening biography reveals that Capone was the target of one of the most intense criminal investigations in American history—with orders coming directly from the White House. Capone flaunted his criminal success so openly that President Hoover insisted the gangster be stopped. And, despite his many misdeeds, Capone may have been the victim of a rigged trial.
Get Capone also offers a bold new theory to explain the Valentine's Day Massacre and sheds new light on Capone's connection—or lack thereof—to the crime.
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"Enjoyed this book, I like reading about the time period of the 30's. I found from the book jacket that I had read Jonathan Eig's other books (about Lou Gehrig and Jackie Robinson). Some good info on the effects of prohibition, Hoover as president, and descriptions of life in Chicago during that time period. When I was reading about Eddie O' Hare, one of Capones gambling partners, I was waiting to find out that the airport in Chicago had been named after him. Glad to read later it was his son Butch, who was a war hero, who had the airport named after him. Didn't quite get Al Capone being arrested on possesion of a weapon in Philadelphia, would like to know the guns laws there at the time. Did he need a permit?"
— George (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Panoramic yet sharply focused, Get Capone is as much a dark history of urban America between the world wars as it is another mobster’s life story.”
— New York Times -
[Eig] paints a masterly portrait of America's all-time favorite crime boss.... Rich in deaitl and historical context.
— The Christian Science Monitor -
“Eig’s book excels for its scrupulous reporting and…fresh research that adds depth to the Capone story.”
— Chicago Sun Times -
“I thought I knew the Capone story, but Eig’s riveting telling of this iconic American story is both fresh and utterly dazzling.”
— Ken Burns, award-winning filmmaker and director of The Civil War -
“Eig presents a multifaceted portrait of a shrewd man who built a criminal empire worth millions.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Get Capone Listener Reviews
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Valeriy Aksenov, 12/11/2020
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" Wow! What a fabulous book! I didn't want to put it down. This book does a wonderful job describing the time period and the life of Al Capone. "
— Rachel, 2/8/2014 -
" Popular culture has done an injustice to George Johnson and Frank Wilson, the men who had more to do with arresting Al Capone than Eliot Ness ever did. This is a great book for Chicago-lovers, especially when you realize how many Windy City streets and sites you've frequented that were once tainted by Tommy Guns! "
— Kay, 1/27/2014 -
" Enjoyed it learning more about Chicago. Wish I had known this when I lived there. "
— Seena, 1/17/2014 -
" I didn't even get past the first CD. "
— May, 1/10/2014 -
" This book gave me more insights and history about Al Capone. I recommended reading it if you like Chicago history or just want to know more about prohibition and the mob. The writing is a little tedious. "
— Joan, 1/8/2014 -
" Well, I think it's great, and my mom does, too. "
— Jonathan, 1/4/2014 -
" The story as it has never been told. Complete and detailed, intriguing and engaging. "
— Jeremy, 12/18/2013 -
" Capone was no folk hero. He was preyed on others to enrich himself. The book was a good history of the depression era from the gangster and law enforcement perspetive. "
— David, 12/8/2013 -
" Really interesting. Want to take the gangster tour in Chicago now. I learned a lot. "
— Denise, 11/7/2013 -
" Good biography of Al Capone & the Roaring Twenties & the tax evasion charge that brought his downfall. "
— Nancy, 6/27/2013 -
" Intriguing, but laborious, review of the tax case against Al Capone. Not a lot of action, but accountants and lawyers will like this. "
— Brian, 5/17/2013 -
" Interesting to learn that Capone was actually jailed for Income Tax evasion, and that his conviction in this manner setup a whole new way for the government to go after certain types of lawbreakers. "
— Doug, 12/17/2012 -
" the book's great! "
— Aymann, 7/29/2012 -
" While I enjoyed Eig's biography of Lou Gehrig more than this one, I did like this view into Capone and Chicago. He dispels some of the myths while at the same time keeping you turning the pages. "
— Bonnie, 7/16/2012 -
" At last, the straight story. Eig strips away all the mythology but even then, Al was larger than life. He used people and was used by people including all those who finally put him away. Justice was served. "
— Paul, 5/8/2012 -
" Fun and interesting. Dragged in some spots, but kept my interest. "
— Nikki, 5/1/2012 -
" An intense look into the history of Chicago and a myth-buster in terms of popular folklore about Capone. This is a very well written book. "
— Judy, 11/7/2011 -
" Entertaining and readable. "
— Vicki, 10/15/2011 -
" Among America's preeminent biographers, Jonathan Eig spins a fascinating tale as he examines the life and times of legendary Chicago mob boss Al Capone. "
— Denis, 4/22/2011 -
" He was pretty much of a thug. But I'm always interesting in the 1930s and Chicago. Prohibition leaves me cold, however. "
— Ann, 2/9/2011 -
" Intriguing, but laborious, review of the tax case against Al Capone. Not a lot of action, but accountants and lawyers will like this. "
— Brian, 1/26/2011 -
" Good biography of Al Capone & the Roaring Twenties & the tax evasion charge that brought his downfall. "
— Nancy, 12/7/2010 -
" Enjoyed it learning more about Chicago. Wish I had known this when I lived there. "
— Seena, 10/3/2010 -
" Capone was no folk hero. He was preyed on others to enrich himself. The book was a good history of the depression era from the gangster and law enforcement perspetive. "
— David, 9/10/2010 -
" At last, the straight story. Eig strips away all the mythology but even then, Al was larger than life. He used people and was used by people including all those who finally put him away. Justice was served. "
— Paul, 9/3/2010 -
" Interesting read. <br/> <br/>A nice study of the period, and busts some old myths. <br/> <br/>The parts about the St Valentine's Day Massacre are worth the read. <br/> "
— Frank, 8/18/2010 -
" A fascinating and insightful look at Capone, prohibition and Chicago in the 20s and 30s. "
— Mark, 8/11/2010 -
" Wow! What a fabulous book! I didn't want to put it down. This book does a wonderful job describing the time period and the life of Al Capone. "
— Rachel, 8/9/2010 -
" A terrific story, but I would have preferred a much shorter version. "
— Chris, 8/4/2010
About Jonathan Eig
Jonathan Eig is the New York Times bestselling author of five critically acclaimed books, including the Pulitzer Prize winner King: A Life. He is a former staff writer for the Wall Street Journal, and he remains a contributing writer there. He has written for the New York Times, the New Yorker, Esquire, the Washington Post, and other publications. He has appeared on Fresh Air with Terry Gross, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and in two Ken Burns films for PBS. He also worked with Burns to develop a documentary on Muhammad Ali that aired in 2021.
About Dick Hill
Laural Merlington is an audiobook narrator with over two hundred titles to her credit and a winner of multiple Earphones Awards. An Audie Award nominee, she has also directed over one hundred audiobooks. She has performed and directed for thirty years in theaters throughout the country. In addition to her extensive theater and voice-over work, she teaches college in her home state of Michigan.