Helmer, William J

A compendium of information about the gangster and outlaw era which took place in the United States between 1920 and 1940 that provides short biographies and period photographs; discusses Prohibition, Chicago's beer wars, the Great Depression, and crime control; and includes quotes, a chronology, and an extensive bibliography.

Challenges the commonly held belief that Al Capone order the hit on George "Bugs" Moran's gang on Valentine's Day in 1929, discusses the cover-up by law enforcement officials, and analyzes the political reforms that helped Capone rise to power.

Discusses how the development of new technologies helped improve crime control during Prohibition and the Depression, and discusses how the police had to deal with problems they had never encountered, including interstate criminals, powerful gangsters, machine guns, cars, and organized crime.