Al Capone

For more than 70 years Al Capone has been equated with wealth violence and corruption. As America''s most infamous criminal he has intrigued attracted and repulsed the general public with his legendary criminal deeds. This concise biography separates the myth from the man. Beginning with a historical look at corruption in American societyalong with a clarification of the terms Black Hand Mafia and Organized CrimeCapone is presented in his own time and place. A timeline summarizes the events of his life and career. A thorough bibliography of print and electronic sources will assist students and general readers interested in further research making it perfect for anyone interested in Capone''s life organized crime the prohibition era and the struggle of lower-class Americans to rise in society.The son of poor Italian immigrants struggling for a better life in early 20th-century New York Capone chose a life of crime as a means of advancing his place in the world. His success brought him fabulous wealth and fame. His criminal deeds made him many enemies among law enforcement officers politicians and fellow criminals. Yet ultimately Capone''s downfall was his own misdeeds. Following a lengthy prison term he died at age 48 from complications of syphilis. In his short life Capone had become America''s most feared criminal and after his death his legend cast an even greater shadow.