Captive City : The Startling Truth about Chicago and the Mafia

by Ovid Demaris

Book by Ovid Demaris

Genres: True Crime, History, Nonfiction

392 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1969

Reviews

[Walt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the better books on the Chicago Mob. Demaris has a dry style of writing; but he uses some excellent sources. The appendix includes a who's who of the mob with law enforcement intelligence regarding their activities, associates, and haunts.

[sam marcello]

Interesting book , was very interesting...!!!!

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book after someone discarded it and began reading it on a whim. In light of all that is happening in the country and the city right now, it's shocking and sad to see how little has changed. The book tells of a Chicago political structure, so immersed with the crime syndicate of the city as to be indistinguishable. Criminals run for (and win) political appointments, politicians turn into crooks, cops become criminals, criminals cozy up to cops, giving them free reign over the city.
One could argue that the day of organized crime is, for the most part, over but switch criminals for corporations and you have the Chicago of 2011. Perhaps there will be a volume 2 (1969- 2012)?

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captive City is a interesting book to read now since it first was published in the mid 1960's. It was one of the first books written about the Chicago Mob and how it controlled the city and the politicians. The most interesting part is reading about the current status of the mobsters in the book (From the 60's) and now seeing what happened to them in the present day. The book talks about the Foster Ave. Police scandal in the late 50's. Pat Marcy and the control of the 1st ward. Plus future mob boss Joey Aiuppa trying to bribe a cop.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Proof positive that some things never change. If you know anything at all about politics in Chicago, you'll be hooked from the first page. The relationship among the players is clearly shown. Demaris believed that "the tie between mobster and politican is closer inChicago than anywhere else in the world including Sicily". What was true in l969 is still true today. "Today it is nearly impossible to differentiate among the partners -- the businessman is a politician,the politician is a gangster, and the gangster is a businessman."

The book is a little dry at times but a good read.

[PSXtreme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very educational, even if it is a bit out of date. Highly recommended for those curious about the non-Capone Syndicate aspect of Chicago from the beginning to the mid-20th century. Covers every aspect of "The Fix"from the mobsters to the police and even the corrupt politicians and judges.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good history of the mob in Chicago. We can only hope that Mr Demaris exaggerates, but sadly, probably not.

[Frank Palardy · Rating 3 out of 5]

About Chicago and the mob in government.