California Snatch Racket: Kidnappings During the Prohibition & Depression Eras - Softcover

Críticas

"Fifteen shocking true crime stories of brutal killers and kidnappers, who plied their ruthless trade in 1920's and 30's California . . . vivid and harrowing." --"Midwest Book Review Library Bookwatch"

"Written in the yellow-journalistic style of their sources . . . Illustrated with period photographs, this book brings the era to vivid life for fans of California history as well as crime buffs." "--Library Journal" Booksmack

"Captures the flavor of the time and the impact of events with the urgency of an angry Tommy gun . . . moving and highly entertaining and told well." --"San Jose Mercury News/Bay Area News Group"

"Retells 15 true stories of ransom kidnappings in California during the 1920s and 1930s. Evocative of the era . . . a colorful selection for criminal justice collections." --"College & Research Libraries News"

"Chronicles 15 cases from the period, chronicling the relationship between the news media and high-profile crime . . . [for] general readers and readers interested in the history of mass media." --"Research and Reference Book News"

"Worth perusing to see what challenged people do in challenging times . . . ought to be mandatory reading for today's bankers." --"Sacramento News & Review"

"Describes the many kidnappings and strange unsolved disappearances during that time . . . fun stories that are drawn from the headlines but read like pulp fiction." --"San Francisco Historical Association Quarterly"

"Each account in the collection offers a different twist. Some nabbings highlight bold raids into the mansions of Beverly Hills . . . other accounts shock the conscience. Each gripping story moves quickly." --Casey Corthron, "San Francisco Book Review" (March 18, 2011)

"A great read! Every case a page turner! And a step into the wild past! Crime, history, mystery and adventure combine in this fascinating picture of California crime culture as it was almost a century ago." --www.blog.CharlesMarkee.com (September 2011)

""A great read! Every case a page turner! And a step into the wild past! Crime, history, mystery and adventure combine in this fascinating picture of California crime culture as it was almost a century ago."" --www.blog.CharlesMarkee.com (September 2011)

Reseña del editor

In California in the 1920s and 1930s, kidnapping ---nicknamed "the snatch racket" by a cynical newspaperman---was the most booming criminal enterprise around.

Driven by greed, desperation and sometimes plain stupidity, ransom artists preyed indiscriminately on Hollywood socialites, wealthy heiresses, and even poor people who couldn't pay a dime.

Every new disapperance sold more newspapers, but for both the kidnappers and their unfortunate victims, even the simplest caper often went tragically wrong.

The 15 bizarre tales in The California Snatch Racket bring this dark and forgotten era into shockingly vivid life. Richly documented with authentic crime photos, The California Snatch Racket reflects newspaper, police, court and prison accounts of the times, written in a style that puts you on the scene of crimes that shocked the nation.

"Captures the flavor of the time and the impact of events with the urgency of an angry Tommy gun."---Pat Craig, Bay Area News Group

"A dark history that succeeds brilliantly as neo-noir crime-writing...smart, enthusiastically detailed and a damn good read!"---Ron Franscell, author of The Darkest Night

"Rips back the candy-coating on the land of sunshine... history buffs and true crime aficionados will relish this look at the Golden State's vicious past."---Kathleen Antrim, author of Capital Offense