Get Capone

The Secret Plot That Captured America's Most Wanted Gangster

By: Jonathan Eig

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 17 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Acclaimed journalist and best-selling author Jonathan Eig blows the lid off the Al Capone story. Based on never-before-seen government documents and newly discovered letters written by Al Capone himself, Get Capone presents America's greatest gangster as you’ve never seen him before.

In addition to IRS files, Eig got hold of the personal papers of the U.S. attorney in Chicago who prosecuted Capone. He even found family members who would share stories about their notorious relative. The author, a former reporter for the Wall Street Journal, brings his uncompromising standards for research and his superb knack for storytelling to one of the most thrilling stories in American history. This eye-opening biography reveals that Capone was the target of one of the most intense criminal investigations in American history - with orders coming directly from the White House. Capone flaunted his criminal success so openly that President Hoover insisted the gangster be stopped. And, despite his many misdeeds, Capone may have been the victim of a rigged trial.

Get Capone also offers a bold new theory to explain the Valentine's Day Massacre and sheds new light on Capone's connection - or lack thereof - to the crime.

©2010 Jonathan Eig (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Eig presents a multifaceted portrait of a shrewd man who built a criminal empire worth millions." ( Publishers Weekly)

awesome narrator

really interesting book. The narrator really makes it come alive! they couldn't have picked a better narrator!

Confusing

This book had alot of facts like, names, dates, street names, cities, etc. So many it was hard to remember them all and keep it all straight. I also think it wasn't written in completely chronological order (confusing). To me the most interesting part was the epilogue. It would have been nice to have heard Capone's life story in his words and from his point of view. I think that is what I was looking for.

Not Up To Snuff

What did you like best about Get Capone? What did you like least?

The story line is the best part and the reason I purchased the book. It's not like a new read. There have been hundreds of publications and movies generated in whole or in part from Capone's life or legacy. I don't know what the addictive element is but I never tire of the Capone like and era stories. There was a little bit of additional information in this book but overall, it was another recycle of already recycled material.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I didn't have a reaction to the ending because, after all, we all know how it ends before we begin Chapter 1.

Did Dick Hill do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

I did not care for the narrator. All the characters had almost the same tone, sound, and it was almost monotone. At times, the narration made me feel as though I was dredging mud. I would just as soon have been, too. Actually, I think maybe I might have groaned out loud a couple of times because of how the narrator droned.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

There are better books and movies already published about Capone. I would not go see a movie based on this book and have a hard time imaging it as a blockbuster.

Any additional comments?

While the book was not a waste of time, it was not a good investment. I have only so much time set aside for pleasure reading so I want the books I choose to have value and impact. Capone fell way short of that expectation. I wouldn't buy it again if I could undo my purchase nor would I read it again if I could undo my reading of Capone.

Awesome!!!

if you're a fan of history and of course the 'big fellow' Al... you'll thourgholy enjoy this!!! great detail!

Get Capone Review

WAY TOO LONG. Unnecessary detail. Was there no editor involved in the process? I had to force myself to finish it.

Book title is misleading...

I am about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way through the book and still waiting to hear about the "secret plot" to capture Capone. What I've heard about instead is a bunch of history and numerous profiles about various gangsters in the 20s and 30s. That's interesting, nonetheless, but not why I got this book. I got this book based upon the title, and I have yet to hear anything about it... just a TON of background information that seems to have absolutely nothing to do with the so-called "secret plot" the book is supposed to be about. The narrator, Dick Hill, is great, by the way.