The Ghost of Alcatraz

by John Dekker

The memoirs of Alcatraz inmate #1076. Ex-Alcatraz prisoner John Dekker grew up on Chicago's hardscrabble south side during the Great Depression. As a teenager desperate to raise $1000 to bail his father out of jail, he successfully robbed the corner grocery. It was the first heist in a dramatic crime spree that would take him across the country and ultimately condemn him to Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, the most fearsome prison in America. Released from The Rock in 1958, he survives to this day and has attended numerous Alcatraz reunion events on the island. As far as anyone knows, Dekker retired from crime long ago; but he's kept a wicked sense of humor. In this rollicking and humorous autobiography, John Dekker give us the inside story on a life of crime and punishment, and the harrowing years he spent locked up on Alcatraz Island.

126 pages, Paperback

First published June 13, 2011

Reviews

[Mark Holencik]

I enjoyed the insight from his eyes. His story ends with his release. I would have like to read how his life turned out.

[Nanci]

Love this book! John is such a great and funny storyteller. He is my uncle may he RIP

[Dawn Tessman]

The autobiography of John Dekker, Alcatraz inmate #1076. The story begins in a powerful way with captivating insights into the prisoner experience as Dekker and others are being transferred from Leavenworth to Alcatraz via a cattle train. From there, the reader is transported back in time to Dekker’s childhood and learns of the series of events and poor decisions that lead to Dekker exiting a boat and taking his first few steps on The Rock. At this point, the book falls apart, as though Dekker had simply lost interest in the telling of his own tale. While editing had been questionable throughout, the story before now had at least been chronologically-sound and engaging. But, at the stage at which should be the climax, the book deteriorates into a hodge-podge of random stories with unrelated photos and so many gaps, the reader is left with more questions at the end than the beginning as to what Dekker’s life was really like at Alcatraz or after release. Furthermore, the title is never tied into the story or explained, which I found frustrating.

In short, a fascinating autobiography with a weak ending and ill-suited title in which the saving grace is the endearing dedication Dekker makes to his wife and the humor and wit he applies throughout.

[Grady Williamson]

I gave it 5 Stars because I knew him personally and remember many days at his house drinking coffee and listening to his stories. He was a riot to hang out with. He was sharp and very witty. A humble and gentle man who would give you the shirt off his back or plant you 6 ft under if you hurt anyone in his family. He could be a teddy bear or turn on the gangster at the drop of a hat. Coulda made it big time acting in Hollywood but in wasn't in the cards. I dunno...maybe the title means he never left Alcatraz. Anyhoo.....R.I.P. John aka Joey my buddy forever.....Red

[Lee]

This book clearly isn't ghostwritten, and it's really interesting to read a true crime book where that's the case. What he focuses on and what he doesn't shows a lot more about who Dekker is as a person rather than what one would generally call "his story." Why is Dekker called "the ghost of Alcatraz?" The world may never know (the documentary might say, I haven't seen it yet).

[Keith✨]

A pretty good read, but some parts were hard to get through. I was expecting the author to talk more about Alcatraz, but he mostly wrote about what happened beforehand. He was also pretty racist/homophobic every once in a while, but what else can you expect during the 1950s?

[Julie Failla Earhart]

What could be better than a ghost story set on “The Rock,” the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary? Not much in my book. When I saw this slim memoir in a Pier 39 gift shop, I immediately grabbed it.

I knew by looking reading that the first few lines that the story wouldn’t be well written. But I was pulled in by the dedication to his wife, Linda.

John Dekker was from Chicago where he grew up during the Great Depression. He was a tough kid with tough friends and tough relatives. His pulled his first caper to get his hands on $1,000, a heck of a lot of money in those days. He needed it to bail his father out of jail. It was easy, it was fast, and it accomplished his goal. Thus, a criminal was born into the body of a teenager. The story is told in Dekker’s own words. He did a great job with description and creating conflict. One thing you can say about Dekker, he was loyal.

The first half of the book is a setup for Dekker’s ultimate destination, Alcatraz. The descriptions of the life during the time he spent there, 1953-1958, reveal a hellhole. Punctuated by a recent visit, Dekker drew vivid pictures of his life on The Rock. He served his time and was released in 1958.

As far as the ghost went, well, I’m not sure what Dekker was trying to convey. I was thinking literally, but no ghost story was told. I was disappointed, but nonetheless fascinated by Dekker and his life choices. Another thing that disappointed me was that he never mentioned his age at the time of the his crimes, when he was transferred to Alcatraz not when he was released.

After his release, he settled in California. He returned often and attended many of the reunions. I find it odd that the inmates and guards held reunion, much like high schools and colleges. That seems plain ol’ weird to me.

I tried to find Dekker on Google, I wanted to know more about him and if he is still alive, but alas, I couldn’t find any information. I “think” he was alive as late as 2004, but after that, well, I’m just not sure. I bet whoever is reading this can come up with all kinds of fascinating information, and if you do, please let me know.

Although the title is misleading, the style that of a tenth grader, I still found The Ghost of Alcatraz: The Autobiography of Former Alcatraz Inmate #1076 to be a fascinating read. I give it 6 out of 5 stars.

[Brandy Spencer]

Quick read, interesting and to the point. Great book

[Bobby Gassaway]

Great Read

Awesome book highly recommended to read. If you love the history of Alcatraz you will love this story. I couldn't put it down.