Harlem Godfather

The Rap on My Husband, Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson

De: Karen E. Quinones, Mayme Hatcher Johnson

Narrado por: Patricia R. Floyd

The first and only full biography on legendary Harlem gangster, Bumpy Johnson who was depicted in the movies Cotton Club, Hoodlum, and American Gangster

Al Capone may have ruled Chicago. Lucky Luciano may have run most of New York City. But from the 1930s to the late 1960s, when it came to Harlem, the undisputed king of the underworld was Ellsworth Bumpy Johnson. Bumpy was a man whose contradictions are still the root of many an argument in Harlem. But there is one thing on which both his supporters and detractors agree in his lifetime, Bumpy was the man in Harlem. Harlem Godfather: The Rap on My Husband, Ellsworth Bumpy Johnson is the first complete biography of a man who for years was Harlem's best kept, and most cherished, secret. There is also a full chapter on Madame Stephanie St. Clair, the infamous Harlem numbers banker who instigated the famous fight with Jewish mobster Dutch Schultz. The book is written by Bumpy's widow, Mayme Johnson, and details not only his criminal life but also his personal life.

This book also details Bumpy's relationship Harlem dopedealer with Frank Lucas, who has called himself Bumpy's right-hand man, but was -according to Mrs. Johnson - little more than a flunky.

©2008 Oshun Publishing, Inc. (P)2021 Recorded Books

Less of a mystery

Ever since my first introduction to Bumpy..which was the movie Hoodlum, which had L Fishburn portraying the GOH! Since then I’ve been trying to find out more about this mysterious character that stood up against opposition from the start. Our history has always been obscured, where are our historians

Great Reviewer

I loved the background story, describing how Bumpy Johnson became a NYC crime boss .

Great Story!

Great Story about the man known as Bumpy Johnson as told by his wife!

Amazing

Growing up in harlem Mr. Bumpy was a legend of course I was too young to ever meet him but I knew a few old timers that spoke of him highly this book confirmed almost word for word what they told me about him thank you mrs Johnson this book is perfect

Stellar!!!!!

Excellent all around!!!!!! The story and narrator was definitely on point telling this tale about an urban legend.

Great Story

The narration was impeccable. Read with feeling and emotion , as if she was actually the wife of bumpy. Great story well done!

Excellent Read!

Excellent read all the way around! You can't get any closer to bumby than his own wife.

Really good

Bumpy should be honored and written into history. This is a really good story told by a person who was there with bumpy for most of it. She tells second hand tales, but made a real effort to tell the truth. Well worth a listen.

Great Read

If you like history and you enjoy reading memoirs from some of the larger than life figures that impacted everyone and everything around them in American culture and society, then you’ll enjoy this book. I recommend it to anyone who watched “American Gangster” with Denzel Washington or “The Godfather of Harlem” series on Epix. Mayme told the story frankly and with obvious love, respect and adoration for her husband. It’s a touching tribute to Bumpy and the man he was flaws and all.

Great Book

Entertained from start to finish. She touched on every single topic that I hope she would; Malcolm X, Bumpy's involvement with the Alcatraz escape, Redd Dillard, Bumpy's mistresses, Frank Lucas, etc. Great Book!