In 1940 and 1941 a group of ruthless gangsters from Brooklyn's
Brownsville neighborhood became the focus of media frenzy when
they-dubbed "Murder Inc.," by New York World-Telegram reporter
Harry Feeney-were tried for murder. It is estimated that
collectively they killed hundreds of people during a reign of
terror that lasted from 1931 to 1940. As the trial played out to a
packed courtroom, shocked spectators gasped at the outrageous
revelations made by gang leader Abe "Kid Twist" Reles and his pack
of criminal accomplices. News of the trial proliferated throughout
the country; at times it received more newspaper coverage than the
unabated war being waged overseas. The heinous crimes attributed to
Murder, Inc., included not only murder and torture but also auto
theft, burglary, assaults, robberies, fencing stolen goods,
distribution of illegal drugs, and just about any "illegal activity
from which a revenue could be derived." When the trial finally came
to a stunning unresolved conclusion in November 1941, newspapers
generated record headlines. Once the trial was over, tales of the
Murder, Inc., gang became legendary, spawning countless books and
memoirs and providing inspiration for the Hollywood gangster-movie
genre. These men were fearsome brutes with an astonishing ability
to wield power. People were fascinated by the "gangster" figure,
which had become a symbol for moral evil and contempt and whose
popularity showed no signs of abating. As both a study in criminal
behavior and a cultural fascination that continues to permeate
modern society, the reverberations of "Murder, Inc." are profound,
including references in contemporary mass media. The Murder, Inc.,
story is as much a tale of morality as it is a gangster history,
and Murder, Inc., and the Moral Life by Robert Whalen meshes both
topics clearly and meticulously, relating the gangster phenomenon
to modern moral theory. Each chapter covers an aspect of the
Murder, Inc., case and reflects on its ethical elements and
consequences. Whalen delves into the background of the criminals
involved, their motives, and the violent death that surrounded
them; New York City's immigrant gang culture and its role as
"Gangster City"; fiery politicians Fiorello La Guardia and Thomas
E. Dewey and the choices they made to clean up the city; and the
role of the gangster in popular culture and how it relates to "real
life." Whalen puts a fresh spin on the two topics, providing a
vivid narrative with both historical and moral perspective.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
(2)
