Boardwalk Empire

The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City

By: Nelson Johnson

Narrated by: Joe Mantegna, Terence Winter (foreword)

Length: 11 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Earphones Award Winner (AudioFile Magazine)

From its inception, Atlantic City has always been a town dedicated to the fast buck, and this wide-reaching history offers a riveting account of its past 100 years, from the city's heyday as a Prohibition-era mecca of lawlessness to its rebirth as a legitimate casino resort in the modern era.

A colorful cast of characters, led by Enoch "Nucky" Johnson, populates this stranger-than-fiction account of corrupt politics and the toxic power structure that grew out of guile, finesse, and extortion. Atlantic City's shadowy past through its rise, fall, and rebirth is given new light in this revealing, and often appalling, study of legislative abuse and organized crime.

This audiobook, narrated by Joe Mantegna, is the true story that inspired the upcoming HBO series of the same name. It includes a foreword written and narrated by Terence Winter.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2009 Nelson Johnson (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Joe Mantegna's steady, unaffected reading of Johnson's history of Atlantic City is a model of good audiobook narration. Mantegna seems the perfect choice for this title, a solid professional whose voice is tuned to both the drama of individual moments and the rising and falling arcs of the narrative as a whole." (AudioFile)

"Fat Tony" narrates the history of the mob in NJ!

Joe Mantegna does an amazing job of narrating a very well written book about the history of the Mob in Atlantic City. This book takes you through the more seedy side of Atlantic City's history. The author really did his research and the book keeps you entertained and informed.

Era lover

Would you listen to Boardwalk Empire again? Why?

I absolutely will listen to Boardwalk Empire again. It is a sensational story about a time period that I love. I could nearly hear the jazz playing in the background. Every character is so well defined that it leaps from the recording. The plot is easy to follow, no bogging down in details but still detailed enough to make it real and interesting. I watched the HBO series (based on this book) before getting the audiobook. The book is better in a lot of ways but the series was fabulous and I was disappointed when both came to an end.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Of course, the main character but there were many colorful ones.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I learned about corruption of that era and geographical area in a way I had not known before reading the audiobook.

Any additional comments?

A delightful book.

Boardwalk Empire

I am an American History sponge, a boomer, and proud American. What is written in this book is not surprising. I grew up in a small town in Illinois and we also had our corruption. The State Trooper taking bribes to not give speeding tickets, the local bookie the county could not seat a jury to try him because everyone knew him, the city council meeting in the mayor's store back room then going to the city hall to vote. In those days as described in this book happened all over America in that time in history and still happens today. Great read, great narrator!

History made interesting

A contemporaty history with names and places that are part of my life. Narration was by a favorite reader. What is told of our history then, is3playing out in our Government at all levels today. As the old saying goes, if we do not read and understand history, be are bound to repeat it. Walt Doelp

Republicans and gangsters

The most revealing and interesting part about this book is how the Republican party supported and encouraged organized crime in Atlantic City. The ties between republicans and gangsters gave rise to this city of bars, casinos and brothels. But as it is said in the books: "People want bars, casinos and brothels, so we give it to them. If they had wanted bible studies, we'd had given them bible studies".
The story is interesting, if a little too exhaustive with too many details about what happended several generations ago. But still worth listening to. Well read as well.

More than Nucky Thompson!

I really enjoyed this history of Atlantic City on which parts of the HBO show is based. The early years of getting a city built were quite interesting and the fact that the city was never an uncorrupted town. It was so out of the way that the only way to get everyday people to come was to have 4 different railroads and gambling and entertainment.

The locals determined that these hardworking people wanted to let loose and they decided to look the other way so they would come back. Prostitution was accepted and booze (when it was illegal) and gambling were tolerated. It was a wild town especially in Enoch Johnson's day. HBO calls him Nucky Thompson but they are the same.

My favorite parts of the book were the parts about the blacks and religion. It's always a good reminder.

The later parts of the book are not as appealing. Who cares how The Donald arrived in Atlantic City? The machinations of getting gambling legalized was enthralling.

The narrator was very good.

History interesting

Although the history of Atlantic City was interesting, would have liked to have more of a story of the major players. The history can be a bit dry.

Watched the HBO series and this audible was even better!

This put together the whole story from the beginning to today and the city’s future. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Hated to see it end.

I Will Actually Read This One...

Throughout the story it was clear, complacency was not an option and people are people. Whether it was the poor white, street-smart emigrant or marginalized African American each group wanted to make the most of the resort's season while it lasted. Of course social mores and prejudices made for an uneven playing field. To his credit, Johnson tells each story with credibility.

Disappointing

I bought this one after seeing the HBO ads. Reads more like a history paper than a novel. It makes for great research but a poor tale if you're looking to be entertained. The only saving grace is Montegna's skill as a narrator. Don't waste your monthly credit on this book.