Alcatraz Most Wanted: Profiles of the Most Famous Prisoners on the Rock

by Cory Kincade, Jolene Babyak

Psychological profiles of the most famous prisoners on Alcatraz including Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, Doc Barker, Creepy Karpis, Mickey Cohen, Whitey Bulger + nine others.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Crime, Mystery

69 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2008

Reviews

[Kim Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable book. I learned a lot. I love to learn about Alcatraz and really hope to visit it one day (no idea why this started). This book was short but did have a lot of information in it. Wasn't bad. Possibly reread again, could give this to others to read as well, will keep on my shelf, but nothing I would reread all the time!

[Kayla Chittum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alcatraz Most Wanted offers a concise yet compelling exploration of the notorious inmates who once occupied America’s most infamous prison. Authored by Cory Kincade—a pseudonym for Jolene Babyak, who brings a unique perspective as someone who lived on Alcatraz Island during her youth—the book provides psychological profiles of infamous criminals such as Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, Doc Barker, Creepy Karpis, Mickey Cohen, and Whitey Bulger, among others.


Structure and Content
Spanning 69 pages, the book is designed for easy reading, making it accessible to a broad audience. Each chapter focuses on a different inmate, offering insights into their criminal activities and time on “The Rock.” The inclusion of photographs and historical context enriches the narrative, providing readers with a vivid portrayal of life inside Alcatraz.


Reader Reception
The book has received favorable reviews from readers. On Amazon, it boasts a 4.8 out of 5-star rating, with readers praising its engaging content and historical photographs. Goodreads users have given it an average rating of 3.78 out of 5 stars, noting its informative nature and readability.


Final Thoughts
Alcatraz Most Wanted serves as an informative introduction to the infamous figures who once resided in Alcatraz. While it may not delve deeply into each individual’s history, its concise format and engaging content make it a worthwhile read for those interested in criminal history and the legacy of Alcatraz.

[moxie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I this short coffee table book gives some background to popular inmates at Alcatraz. But it really plays to who the author deemed as significant on Alcatraz. Not just the author but much of media as well. I think if you want to know the bare minimum about a few of the inmates in a short amount of time this is good. Although it doesn’t capture all the different types of men that were on Alcatraz and doesn’t get into as much detail as I would have liked.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very quick interesting read with great photos. A book you can pick-up and read a profile and then a month later read another. I read book in one lazy afternoon and enjoyed greatly.

[Karen F. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting prisoners. The story didn't flow and there were grammatical errors.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. It could have used some more editing.

[Maggie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was extremely interesting and intriguing. It told the stories of some of Americas most famous criminals ranging from Al Capone, "Machine Gun" Kelly, to somewhat present day "whitey" Bulger, who was found after sixteen years of hiding in 2011. All of these men had at one point in their lives been imprisoned on Alcatraz. I was extremely flabbergasted at the fact that most of these men reproduced other human beings that could potentially be just as evil as they were. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about historical events no matter how creepy or terrifying they might get.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this souvenir-style book while visiting Alcatraz in the Summer of 2012. I found it interesting to read about the most "famous" prisoners who were confined there, but the writing in general was mediocre.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

quick, fun, and we'll written. I love all the pics.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning about some of the prisoners on Alcatraz.