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Chargement... Inspector Oldfield and the Black Hand Society: America's Original Gangsters and the U.S. Postal Detective Who Brought Them to Justice (édition 2018)par William H. Oldfield (Auteur)
Information sur l'oeuvreInspector Oldfield and the Black Hand Society: America's Original Gangsters and the U.S. Postal Detective Who Brought Them to Justice par William Oldfield (Author)
   Aucun Actuellement, il n'y a pas de discussions au sujet de ce livre.  GrammaPollyReads | May 10, 2024 |  aucune critique | ajouter une critique
"The incredible true story of the US Post Office Inspector who took down the deadly Black Hand, a turn-of-the-century Italian-American secret society that preyed on immigrants across America's industrial heartland--featuring fascinating and never-before-seen documents and photos from the Oldfield family's private collection. Before the emergence of prohibition-era gangsters like Al Capone and Lucky Luciano, there was the Black Hand: an early twentieth-century Sicilian-American crime ring that preyed on immigrants from the old country. In those days, the FBI was in its infancy, and local law enforcement were clueless against the dangers--most refused to believe that organized crime existed. Terrorized victims rarely spoke out, and the criminals ruled with terror--until Inspector Frank Oldfield came along. In 1899, Oldfield became America's 156th Post Office Inspector--joining the ranks of the most powerful federal law enforcement agents in the country. Based in Columbus, Ohio, the unconventional Oldfield brilliantly took down train robbers, murderers, and embezzlers from Ohio to New York to Maryland. Oldfield was finally able to penetrate the dreaded Black Hand when a tip-off put him onto the most epic investigation of his career, culminating in the 1909 capture of sixteen mafiosos in a case that spanned four states, two continents--and ended in the first international organized crime conviction in the country. Hidden away by the Oldfield family for one hundred years and covered-up by rival factions in the early 20th century Post Office Department, this incredible true story out of America's turn-of-the-century heartland will captivate all lovers of history and true crime."--Amazon.com. Aucune description trouvée dans une bibliothèque |
Discussion en coursAucunCouvertures populaires
 Google Books — Chargement...GenresClassification décimale de Melvil (CDD)364.106Social sciences Social problems and services; associations Criminology Crimes and OffensesClassification de la Bibliothèque du CongrèsÉvaluationMoyenne: (3.64)
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While this appears to be a family story for the author, it certainly outpaces my expectations. I have done enough genealogy work to know that there are always great stories but they are not always easy to write about. In addition, there is often a needed context to the events. This book manages to provide historical facts as well as the color commentary that is necessary to bring the facts to life. And when one of the key organizations involved is "The Society of the Banana" you have to wonder why this story has not become a movie at this point. After all the code of conduct pivots on this:
"Art. 3. The member who tries to do harm to another branch of the society, or to the family of other companions, if this harm shall have been grave, will be undressed and marked on his body with the mark of infamy and called with word of contempt, “Swindler,” and if the offense is more grave, he will be stabbed;"
The author also takes a moment to step back and provide context to the family behind this book. Particularly poignant is this passage:
"What I found was that there was no detailed history of Frank Oldfield in the U.S. Post Office archives, save for a personnel document detailing his many infractions. Purposely or not, the U.S. Post Office Department took a giant eraser to Frank Oldfield’s life and his merits. Then the Hocking River did its best to wash away the remaining evidence. My family’s code of silence finished the job. As I paged through each document in the collection, I felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility. It was my duty to make sure that Frank’s story did not die with me."
Anyone who has taken the time to look into their family history has probably found a story or two that creates the desire to save and share the story.
If you like history of mafia or the creation of various law enforcement agencies, this is definitely a recommended read. (