Chesapeake Rumrunners of the Roaring Twenties

by Eric Mills

Focusing on the Chesapeake Bay area, Mills (a journalist and historian associated with the U.S. Naval Institute) depicts those on both sides of the law during prohibition bootleggers, still-operators, and mobsters, as well as the police, federal agents, Coast Guardsmen, and temperance crusaders. His account draws from local lore, with the backing of newspaper reports and government documents. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

204 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1999

Reviews

[Nick Guzan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise and well-written, evoking the adventure and "glamour" associated with Prohibition through the regional lens of the Chesapeake Bay, this book is full of fascinating stories that live up to the promise of its title.

The author, Eric Mills, often presents his well-researched information in an entertainingly juxtaposed manner a la The Godfather or Goodfellas, jumping between thrilling tales of Roaring Twenties lawbreaking and contrasting them with the rigid Coast Guard laws or evangelical orations.

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty solid "Just the facts, ma'am" book that I read as research for a fictional book I'm writing. Good account of the Chesapeake bay area during Prohibition from both the lawful and unlawful sides. As a longtime Maryland resident, it was neat to see areas that I am familiar with featured so prominently as dens of sin in the 20s.