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Gangsters, Swindlers, Killers, and Thieves: The Lives and Crimes of Fifty
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Gangsters, Swindlers, Killers, and Thieves: The Lives and Crimes of Fifty American Villains Hardcover - 2004

by Lawrence Block; Lawrence Block (Editor)

Drawing on his experience in creating fictional bad guys, crime novelist Block surveys the underside of American history through 50 of its most infamous characters. 50 illustrations.


From the publisher

Drawing on his experience in creating fictional bad guys, crime novelist Lawrence Block surveys the underside of American history through fifty of its most infamous characters. Some, like Jesse James, Bonnie Parker, and Joe Colombo, led a life of crime; others, like John Wilkes Booth and John White Webster, committed one notorious act. Some, like Pretty Boy Floyd or the elusive thief Railroad Bill, have become folk heroes, whether or not the real details of their lives matched the myths they inspired. Others, like Ed Gein and Ted Bundy, will be forever reviled.
Block introduces each biography with a writer's eye for character and a good story. He begins the book with a short essay that considers how Americans have defined and regarded villains through history.
The biographies, culled from the pages of the American National Biography and illustrated with archival photographs, describe each villain's background, exploits, and eventual fate--often with unexpected details. The convicted killer Nathan Leopold, for example, became the administrator of a leprosy hospital after his parole. The gangster Dutch Schultz was known not only for his bootlegging expertise but also for his cheap, ill-fitting clothes. The stagecoach bandit Black Bart fancied himself a poet (or, as he put it, "PO8"). And when outlaw Bill Doolin finally met his end, only a rusting buggy axle marked his grave.
Ideal for readers of true crime, crime fiction, and history, Gangsters, Swindlers, Killers, and Thieves brings a fresh perspective to American's fascination with crime and its perpetrators.

Details

  • Title Gangsters, Swindlers, Killers, and Thieves: The Lives and Crimes of Fifty American Villains
  • Author Lawrence Block; Lawrence Block (Editor)
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 304
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Oxford University Press, USA, New York
  • Date 2004-05-13
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780195169522 / 0195169522
  • Weight 1.07 lbs (0.49 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.48 x 5.52 x 1.05 in (21.54 x 14.02 x 2.67 cm)
  • Library of Congress subjects United States, Criminals - United States
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2003021073
  • Dewey Decimal Code B

Media reviews

Citations

  • Foreword, 09/01/2004, Page 79
  • Library Journal, 06/01/2004, Page 155

About the author


Lawrence Block, a Mystery Writers of America Grand Master and multiple winner of the Edgar, Shamus, and Maltese Falcon awards, has written more than 50 books, including Small Town, Hope to Die, Hit List, and The Burglar in the Rye. He lives in New York City.
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Gangsters, Swindlers, Killers, and Thieves: The Lives and Crimes of Fifty American Villains

Gangsters, Swindlers, Killers, and Thieves: The Lives and Crimes of Fifty American Villains

by Lawrence Block (editor)

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Gangsters, Swindlers, Killers, and Thieves : The Lives and Crimes of Fifty American Villains

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Gangsters, Swindlers, Killers, and Thieves: The Lives and Crimes of Fifty American Villains
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Gangsters, Swindlers, Killers, & Thieves: The Lives & Crimes of Fifty American Villians

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Gangsters, Swindlers, Killers, and Theives:  The Lives and Crimes  of Fifty American Villains
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Gangsters, Swindlers, Killers, and Theives: The Lives and Crimes of Fifty American Villains

by BLOCK, Lawrence (editor)

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GANGSTERS, SWINDLERS, KILLERS, AND THIEVES: THE LIVES AND CRIMES OF FIFTY  AMERICAN VILLAINS (50)
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GANGSTERS, SWINDLERS, KILLERS, AND THIEVES: THE LIVES AND CRIMES OF FIFTY AMERICAN VILLAINS (50)

by BLOCK, LAWRENCE (ED)..includes; ARCHER, STEPHEN M.; BROWN, DEE; QUANTRILL, WILLIAM CLARKE; BEER, THOMAS; CZOLGOSZ; BALACHI,J OSEPH...others..

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NY: Oxford University Press. Very Good in Very Good dust jacket. 2004. first edition,1p; 987654321pt line. Hardcover. 8.5 X 5.5 X 1.1 inches. VERY GOOD CONDITION IN VERY GOOD UNCLIPT(S26.00 DUST JACKET,Clean, solid, bright..; SILVER SPINE TITLES ON BLACK cloth SPINE STRIP...GREY HARD COVERS..White (signboard) cover titles on photo dust jacket. 3x4" photo of author inner dj flap. ; 304 pages; crime novelist Lawrence Block surveys the underside of American history through fifty of its most infamous characters. Some, like Jesse James, Bonnie Parker, and Joe Colombo... with a writer's eye for character and a good story. .
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Gangsters, Swindlers, Killers and Thieves : The Lives and Crimes of Fifty American Villains
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Gangsters, Swindlers, Killers and Thieves : The Lives and Crimes of Fifty American Villains

by Block, Lawrence

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New York, NY, U.S.A.: Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 2004 Nice, unsold, unread first printing of this collection of short bios on 50 villains. Ships in a box, fast service from a real bricks and mortar bookstore open since 1998. No remainder marks.
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