Capone: The Man And The Era

The Rise of a Legend

When we think of the 1920s, the first name that comes to mind is Al Capone. Known as one of America's most notorious gangsters, Capone ruled the streets of Chicago during a time of intense social and political upheaval. His reign symbolized an era of excess, corruption, and lawlessness. In this article, we delve into the life and times of Al Capone, the man who defined an era.

The Early Years

Al Capone was born on January 17, 1899, in Brooklyn, New York. Growing up in a poor immigrant neighborhood, Capone quickly learned the law of the streets. He became involved in various criminal activities, including gambling, extortion, and bootlegging.

Capone: The Man and the Era

by Laurence Bergreen (Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	18923 KB
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Capone's rise to power started when he joined the notorious Five Points Gang in Manhattan. It was here that he honed his skills as a mobster, learning the art of intimidation and violence. Capone soon became an influential figure within the gang and began making connections with other powerful crime syndicates.

Prohibition and the Rise of Organized Crime

The 1920s marked a significant turning point in American history. The implementation of Prohibition, which banned the production, sale, and transportation of alcohol, gave rise to a booming illegal liquor trade. This period became lucrative for organized crime, with gangsters like Capone exploiting the demand for alcohol.

Capone quickly established himself as a key player in the illegal alcohol market. His vast network of speakeasies, bootlegging operations, and corrupt law enforcement connections made him the kingpin of Chicago's underworld. Capone's empire earned him millions of dollars, further solidifying his power and influence.

The St. Valentine's Day Massacre

One of the most infamous events associated with Capone is the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. On February 14, 1929, seven rival mobsters were brutally gunned down in Chicago. Though Capone was never convicted for the crime, it solidified his reputation as a ruthless and feared mob leader.

Public opinion began to turn against Capone as the violence escalated. The federal government, recognizing the need to take drastic measures, launched an investigation into Capone's criminal activities. They ultimately charged him with tax evasion, leading to his downfall.

The Legacy of Al Capone

Capone was arrested in 1931 and sentenced to 11 years in federal prison. His conviction signaled a turning point in the fight against organized crime. It illustrated that no matter how powerful and influential a mobster may be, the law could still catch up with them.

Capone's release from prison in 1939 due to his declining health marked the end of an era. He spent his remaining years secluded in his Miami mansion until his death in 1947. Despite his criminal activities, Capone's name continues to captivate the public's imagination, forever representing the dark allure of the Roaring Twenties.

Al Capone's rise to power during the Prohibition era showcased the depths to which organized crime could infiltrate every aspect of society. His legacy serves as a reminder of the complexity of the human condition and the allure of power and excess. In the end, Capone's story is a cautionary tale of the consequences of pursuing a life of crime.

Capone: The Man and the Era

by Laurence Bergreen (Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	18923 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	724 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

A Best Book of 2020: The Washington Post * NPR * Chicago Tribune * Smithsonian

A “remarkable” (Los Angeles Times), “seductive” (The Wall Street Journal) debut from the new cohost of Radiolab, Why Fish Don’t Exist is a dark and astonishing tale of love, chaos, scientific obsession, and—possibly—even murder.​

“At one point, Miller dives into the ocean into a school of fish…comes up for air, and realizes she’s in love. That’s how I felt: Her book took me to strange depths I never imagined, and I was smitten.”—TheNew York Times Book Review

David Starr Jordan was a taxonomist, a man possessed with bringing order to the natural world. In time, he would be credited with discovering nearly a fifth of the fish known to humans in his day. But the more of the hidden blueprint of life he uncovered, the harder the universe seemed to try to thwart him. His specimen collections were demolished by lightning, by fire, and eventually by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake—which sent more than a thousand discoveries, housed in fragile glass jars, plummeting to the floor. In an instant, his life’s work was shattered.

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When NPR reporter Lulu Miller first heard this anecdote in passing, she took Jordan for a fool—a cautionary tale in hubris, or denial. But as her own life slowly unraveled, she began to wonder about him. Perhaps instead he was a model for how to go on when all seemed lost. What she would unearth about his life would transform her understanding of history, morality, and the world beneath her feet.

Part biography, part memoir, part scientific adventure, Why Fish Don’t Exist is a wondrous fable about how to persevere in a world where chaos will always prevail.