Gangster City by Patrick Downey is essential reading for anyone interested in the old NYC underworld. It might just be the best work ever on early 20th Century NYC gangsters. Covers all the classic old Jewish, Irish, and Italian mobsters, all from contemporary records. Not just Mafia but Waxey Gordon, Dopey Benny Fein, Monk Eastman, Legs Diamond, Dutch Schultz, Mad Dog Coll, Owney Madden, Bitz and Spitale, the Irish "White Hand" gang, etc. There's even a chapter on the Chinatown tong wars.

Downey's second book is Bad Seeds in the Big Apple , dealing mostly with robbery gangs in New York in the 1920-40 period. I highly recommend this one too, which boasts a foreword from Rose Keefe.

Downey is currently working on a biography of Legs Diamond, which I expect will be the definitive one.

Originally Posted By: Enzo Scifo
Anyone know if this one is worth reading?
Is it only about the mob, or does it feature all kinds of ethnic organized crime?

"Gangster City: The History of the New York Underworld 1900-1935" by Patrick Downey

Last edited by Mattix; 11/02/08 04:32 PM.