Public Enemies: America's Criminal Past 1919 to 1940

I've always enjoyed reading about the mobsters of the Depression era, like Babyface Nelson, Al Capone, Pretty Boy Floyd, John Dillinger, etc. I've never seen so many crimes & criminals of that era covered so well in one book. In fact, out of all my gangster books I'd have to say this one is my favorite. It has a great chronology of crimes, criminals & crime control from 1919-1940, great photos, very informative text, a helpful bibliography, & even a list of gangland murders in Chicago! William Helmer & Rick Mattix have truly blessed us crime buffs with an outstanding book!

This is a must read book for anyone seeking the truth about our countries past criminal history. William J. Helmer and Rick Mattix's knowledge of such people as Al Capone, Bonnie and Clyde, Dillinger, etc. is astounding. I have learned more by reading this one book then all the other books I have read put together. The pictures in this book really bring it to life.I will be anxiously awaiting their next book which I am sure will also be a must read!

Public Enemies by Rick Mattix and William Helmer is an extremely valuable source of information for crime readers and future historians. I highly recommend this book to all readers interested in criminal activities during the early nineteen hundreds. This is the greatest collection of criminal chronology I have ever encountered. I consider this book to be very resourceful, educational and well illustrated.

If you plan on purchasing any crime books soon, make this one you do buy. Entertaining as well as full of little known crime lingo and phrases. An excellent addition to your home library. William Helmer and Rick Mattix have complied one of the most factual volumes on outlaws and gangsters I have seen. I have found this book to be most accurate and a excellent research tool. Need to know where the phrase "Taken for ride" originated from? You'll find it here.

I have been interested in Depression-era gangsters and outlaws for years and have written on the subject myself. This is the best one-volume reference work on the subject to date. The author's scrupulous research is refreshing in a field where "facts" are often repetitions of dubious legend. The material here rings true. The annotated bibliography is excellent. Lots of original material, well organized, authoritative, and fun.