Al Capone: The Biography of a Self-Made Man

by Fred D. Pasley

1930. The story of Capone, the most notorious gangster in the history of the nation. Alphonse Capone, better known to most as Al Capone or Scarface, ran Chicago with blood and guns. From the beginning, Capone didn't respond well to authority. While in the sixth grade he beat his female teacher. Following the incident he left school and faced with a life of low-paying jobs, he joined the street gang led by Johny Torrio and Lucky Luciano. And, as they say, the rest is history. Despite his years of running the rackets, it was eventually for tax evasion that he served time.

Genres: Biography

360 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1930

Reviews

[Joel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't read many historical non-fiction pieces, hardly any biographies, but this book seemed so unusual. I picked it up expecting a biography (I mean, it's in the title, right?). I expected a look into the life and times of Al Capone from a historically informed perspective. What I got was a look at the late twenties in Chicago with Al Capone as a supporting character. Hundreds of players got roles in this extended newspaper article written before Capone even died. Interesting but not really what I expected.

Stylistically there were chapters that read like the diary pages of a poet laureate scribbling with his trigger finger and there were some that had all the charisma of a wet grocery list. Honestly, I gave this book 3 out of 5 but this book--more than any other I've read--had sections that deserved a zero and some sections that legitimately deserved a resounding five.

So, if you're interested in the history, facts, and stats surrounding the Volstead Era in Chicago I strongly recommend finding this rare gem but if you're looking for a focused biography you won't get further than the tenth page.