The California Snatch Racket: Kidnappings During the Prohibition and Depression Eras - Brossura

Smith, James R.; Rogers, W. Lane

Brossura

ISBN 10: 1884995632 ISBN 13: 9781884995637

Casa editrice: Craven Street Books, 2010

Riassunto

In California in the 1920s and 1930s, kidnapping ---nicknamed "the snatch racket" by a cynical newspaperman---was the most booming criminal enterprise around.

Driven by greed, desperation and sometimes plain stupidity, ransom artists preyed indiscriminately on Hollywood socialites, wealthy heiresses, and even poor people who couldn't pay a dime.

Every new disapperance sold more newspapers, but for both the kidnappers and their unfortunate victims, even the simplest caper often went tragically wrong.

The 15 bizarre tales in The California Snatch Racket bring this dark and forgotten era into shockingly vivid life. Richly documented with authentic crime photos, The California Snatch Racket reflects newspaper, police, court and prison accounts of the times, written in a style that puts you on the scene of crimes that shocked the nation.

"Captures the flavor of the time and the impact of events with the urgency of an angry Tommy gun."---Pat Craig, Bay Area News Group

"A dark history that succeeds brilliantly as neo-noir crime-writing...smart, enthusiastically detailed and a damn good read!"---Ron Franscell, author of The Darkest Night

"Rips back the candy-coating on the land of sunshine... history buffs and true crime aficionados will relish this look at the Golden State's vicious past."---Kathleen Antrim, author of Capital Offense

Su questo libro

L'autore

James R. Smith is a California historian and the author of San Francisco’s Lost Landmarks as well as a number of historical articles. He is a member of the California Historical Society, the San Francisco History Association, the San Francisco Museum & Historical Society, and the Library Fund at the University of California, Berkeley and is active in the preservation and promotion of history and historical lore. He is a frequent lecturer and discussion leader at universities, historical societies, libraries, and bookstores. He lives in San Francisco. W. Lane Rogers is an award-winning historian, a columnist for the Phoenix newspaper, and the author of several books, including Crimes & Misdeeds: Headlines from Arizona’s Past and Ruthless Acts: The Utah Murders. He lives in Benson, Arizona.

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Su questa edizione

• Editore: Craven Street Books
• Data di pubblicazione: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1884995632
• ISBN 13: 9781884995637
• Rilegatura: Copertina flessibile
• Numero di pagine: 393