Gonif: Red Rudensky

by Red Rudensky, Morris Rudensky, Don Riley

The amazing autobiography of a master con man, safe-cracker, escape artist and killer, who transformed from terrorist to valiant citizen and war hero.

Genres: Nonfiction

215 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1970

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little annoyed at the end of the blurb on the cover that says he "transformed himself into a combative force against crime." The whole time I was expecting him to start working for the fbi or something... nope the last three pages we learn that he worked with 3m to develop a "burglar proof" lock. The blurb on the front cover also claims this is a "bitter-sweet sometimes savage autobiography" ... that's a bit of a stretch but it was interesting. How many books have you read about a crook's life, written by the crook? Published in 1970 he primarily discusses his exploits in the early 1900s (1910ish to 1920ish) as well as his 30+ years spent in prison. He did go into detail about a handful of heists.. kind of. It just would've been more interesting if he cut out at least 30 of the mentions of people telling him how "great his writing was" and he "should keep writing" and maybe focus more on his exploits/experiences.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A redemption story, to be sure, but also an interesting look under the hood into the life of a career criminal who went from having no heart at all to learning to live as a human, starting behind bars and eventually in the outside world.

The fact that it's an autobiography actually written by the "gonif" himself makes it all a little more impressive, but you'll understand more about that after reading the book.

[Ky]

An incredibly interesting biography of one of the great prison escapists in American History.

[Walt · Rating 1 out of 5]

As the only book on St. Louis gangsters, written by a St. Louis gangster, this was extremely disappointing. Most of the book focuses on his prison life and reflection on his former life of crime.