Al Capone by Allyson Nemior

Al Capone is one of the most famous "American Criminals" of all time. His name is associated with violence, corruption, and wealth. Throughout this book it clarifies the myths about Al Capone and the truth. Not only does it clearly explain about Al Capone and his life experiences it also clarifies terms such as Organized Crime and Mafia which were extremely important words during the early 1900's when Al Capone himself was the most popular. Not only did the book tell about important people during this time period it also told about the corruption in the American society as well as about the whole Progressive Era. Because of the way of life that Al Capone chose he encountered many different obstacles with the law, but this never stopped him until he eventually reached his final years during a jail sentence.

Al Capone was born in 1899 to two immigrants as Alphonse Capone, born in Brooklyn. He had six brothers and sisters. Al Capone's hectic and crazy life started when he had a son, Albert Francis. During the next few years some very important things happened. The 18Th Amendment was passed. This amendment was The Prohibition Amendment that banded all manufacturing, sales, and transportation of alcohol. Also the Volstead Act took effect. In 1921 Capone moved to Chicago where he worked for a man named Johnny Torrio. While working for Torrio, Capone got into some trouble. He was arrested for a DWI, carrying a concealed weapon, and assault with an automobile, but the charges were dropped. Also a man named Joe Howard was killed allegedly by Al Capone. Another man, Eddie Tancl, was killed presumably by the orders of Capone. After the murders Torrio went to jail for nine months and Capone took charge of the Organized Crime business, which included bootlegging, corruption, and murders. After nine months Torrio was released but wanted out of the business so he turned it over to Capone completely. Throughout the time Capone was in charge 5 more people were killed. Other members of different crime groups started to see the path that Capone was on and they tried to take his life in 1927, but failed. In 1929 a very historical event happened. The St. Valentine's Day Massacre was when 6 men were shot and killed allegedly by the orders of Al Capone. Al Capone was then arrested for carrying a concealed weapon and was sentenced to a year in jail. 1933 the Prohibition Amendment was repealed. After being sentenced to 11 years of prison for tax evasions he was transferred to Alcatraz Prison and then transferred to 3 different other prisons before his parole. During the times in jail Al Capone contracted syphilis. He was one of the very first people to ever be treated for syphilis with penicillin. January 25, 1947 Al Capone dies.

Al Capone's legend lives on for many different reasons. Ever since the death of Capone people have written books, articles, made movies and television shows about him. The reason that Al Capone is so interesting to so many people is because the stories just continue to be fabricated. No one knows the real truth about Al Capone and the crimes he all committed except Al Capone himself. Whenever the words Chicago, Prohibition, and the Roaring Twenties are mentioned Organized Crime and the Mafia are associated and with those two words the name Al Capone comes to mind. He is a legend that will never be forgotten.