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Smaldone: The Untold Story of an American Crime Family
"I never thought it would end."—Clyde SmaldoneStarted by Italian brothers from North Denver, the high-profile Smaldone crime syndicate began in the bootlegging days of the 1920s and flourished well into the late twentieth century. Connected to such notorious crime figures as Al Capone and Carlos Marcello, as well as to presidents and other politicians, charismati...more
Hardcover, 296 pages
Published
September 1st 2009
by Fulcrum Publishing
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This book is kind of a biography of the Smaldone family of north Denver. I grew up not far from this area and have heard of the Smaldone family for much of my life. In fact, in the junior high I attended we had a "Mr. Smaldone" teaching soical studies. Rumors always said he was a relative of the Smaldone family of mafia fame. I don't know his first name........in those days it was always "Mr. or Mrs." no first names. The writing style is a little confusing as it is n...more
Having grown up in Denver and hearing in our home the names of many of the people mentioned in the book, I found this interesting. However,I didn't like the way the author developed the story line. It jumped from character to character,(no pun intended) in different years. I kept having to look back and see what year we were in now. Good history of the goings on during those years of bootlegging and bookmaking.
Interesting book particularly because I live 2 blocks from Gaetano's, which is still the neighborhood bar ("food to die for"). Fascinating the learn the heartbeat of the Denver mob was my neighborhood. Ironically, Gaetano's is now owned by the Mayor John Hickenlooper's restaurant group.
North Denverites in particular will enjoy this. It is written as a documentary and tends to plod a little, but it is interesting especially if you have any familiarity with the old time Denver mob scene.
Dennis Blewitt
added it
Fairly accurate version of a Colorado Crime family. It was from only one perspective, though. Since I knew most of the characters, I found the book an interesting view of self-perception
The Smaldones were big in Denver and along the Front Range of Colorado where I grew up. Interesting read about the personal lives of Ceckers and Clarence Smaldone
It's a wonderful book. The Mafia in Colorado was very small compared to other crime families in the United States. They only had 21 made members.
Dick Kreck did a first class job of putting this together. Outside of Denver, the Smaldones aren't well known, but they are a legend here.
I didn't think this was very well written, but I still found it an interesting local history read.
Mina
marked it as to-read
Apparently, my father knew this family from "the old neighborhood."
I learned about prohibition and the history of my north Denver neighborhood.
Great history of NW Denver and Pueblo, CO.
Fun read, esp. (or only?) for NW Denver residents.
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Interesting for those that grew up in Denver. Not the best writing though.
Fascinating story of Denver's "crime family".
Great information in the book. Very interesting if you are from or live in the Arvada/Denver area. However, not my favorite style of writing.
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