Al Capone and His American Boys

Memoirs of a Mobster's Wife

By: William J. Helmer

Narrated by: Kristi Burns

When her husband was murdered on the orders of Chicago mobster Frank Nitti, Georgette Winkeler - wife of one of Al Capone's "American Boys" - set out to expose the Chicago Syndicate. After an attempt to publish her story was squelched by the mob, she offered it to the FBI in the mistaken belief that they had the authority to strike at the racketeers who had killed her husband, Gus. Discovered 60 years later in FBI files, the manuscript describes the couple's life on the run, the St. Valentine's Day Massacre (Gus was one of the shooters), and other headline crimes of that period. Prepared for publication by mob expert William J. Helmer, Al Capone and His American Boys is a compelling contemporary account of the heyday of Chicago crime by a woman who found herself married to the mob.

©2011 Indiana University Press (P)2015 Redwood Audiobooks

Fascinating Look Into a Famous Mobster

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, the narration made it an awesome listen and fun too!

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

It was interesting look into Capone and the Mob which made it compelling and fascinating for those who want to learn more about this subject.

Any additional comments?

"I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom."

Old autobiography, FBI reports & historic research

The discovery of Georgette Winkeler's expose on the organised crime of the 1920's and 30's provides some interesting first hand accounts of the events. The book covers the period from first meeting her husband through to after his death and her "getting out" from the business.

It mainly focuses on her husband and his dealings, as these are what she knows best. If you are looking for details about Capone, this isn't the book as he is mostly on the periphery, but it does give you a good understanding of how the organised crime of the period worked.

The editor/author, William Helmer, has done good work providing a complete package. The book is a reproduction of Winkeler's expose, interspersed with editorial notes and chapters outlining the historic events referenced throughout the expose. The book then closes out with old FBI reports, interviews and internal documents outlining the events following Winkeler's submission of the book to the FBI. By mixing these elements Helmer is able to provide a reasonably complete (and sometimes slightly contradictory - with one making claims the other doesn't support) story. The reader is not left confused or searching for larger context to Winkeler's events as the editor.

Kristi Burns does good work with the narration. She is clear, well paced and easy to understand. The only issue I had was that there was nothing in the narration or production that differentiated chapters by Winkeler or by Hemler. Thus is wasn't immediately clear whose "voice" the chapter was in. Even the inline/footnote editors notes were not clearly differentiated. A change in voice would have made it clearer. It may have been served better by having two narrators - one for the expose and one for the history/FBI parts.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of audiobookblast dot com.

Riveting crime drama at its best

This was fascinating...kept me locked in from beginning until the end. The fact that it was the personal memoirs of a woman married to one of capone's gangsters was just amazing. The point of view and personal facts linked with the crime reports and newspaper accounts just built an image of the times and the feelings of those involved in the Chicago Mafia at the time. Brought many things to my attention that lead to many an Internet search to learn more about the individuals, crimes, and such that were mentioned and it glossed over. I received this audiobook from the author narrator or publisher for free via audiobookboom in exchange for an unbiased review

No Honor Among Thieves

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Though subjective, this is a memoir of a gangster's wife, Georgette Winkeler, wife of Gus Winkeler during the 1930's. Naming names familiar as Alphonse "Scarface" Capone, figure in the narrative.

What other book might you compare Al Capone and His American Boys to and why?

Movies like "Dillinger" with Warren Oates come to mind.

What does Kristi Burns bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Krist's narration is clearly enunciated. It is more straight narration, not dramatization. Appropriate to this work.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

In time yes, there are many entries that stand out in my memory so once they fade some, I would listen to this again.

Any additional comments?

This is an accounting of life by the wife of a mobster. It's apparent how much she loved him, which may skew her writing to put Winkeler in a better light. It is more about the ethics of these criminal associates, primarily sticking with those she interacted with personally or through her husband. A human interest History of the era.Thank you for making this available to listen to. Very enjoyable!This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.

Great Story

Would you listen to Al Capone and His American Boys again? Why?

Yes because the story was very flowing and informative and the narrator Kristi Burns was AWESOME!!!!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Al Capone and His American Boys?

When she tried to make a really good birthday party and every bad guy showed up and ruined it!!!!

Any additional comments?

If you love stories about the mob you'll love this one!!!!

Great memories

this was excellent story keep my attention thru out could not put it down. this book was given free for a honest review and unbiased option via audio book boom

Interesting

What did you love best about Al Capone and His American Boys?

The story is a real story; written w/first hand knowledge from a wife in that time.
Easy to listen to. Fast paced and to the point.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Al Capone and His American Boys?

There was to be a small, private surprise birthday party for the mob husband. Somehow word got out to the mob guys. Quite a few of them showed up and took over the party, making a mess, etc. Although they were dangerous men, it was somewhat comical.

Have you listened to any of Kristi Burns’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my first time to listen to Kristi Burns as a narrator. She is very good. I would easily listen to more of her narrations.

Any additional comments?

The language in the story was different for modern times. The old mob terms / slang made listening good.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom.com.

Al Capone's American Boys

If you could sum up Al Capone and His American Boys in three words, what would they be?

This audiobook is based on the memories and experiences of the wife of Gus Winkler, an American gangster who headed a Prohibition-era criminal gang specializing in armed robbery, murder and racketeering. Winkler was an associate of Chicago mob boss Al Capone and according to the author, was one of the men responsible for the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.

This audiobook is informative, entertaining and well-written. It is told through the eyes of Winkler's wife, who was widowed when her husband Gus was murdered in 1933 by Italian gangsters who rose to power after Capone was jailed (these men wanted Winkler's portion of the enterprise). Although custom dictated that Winkler's wife would be provided for by the Syndicate upon her husband's death, every last penny ended up being taken/stolen from her by the Syndicate.

I very much enjoyed this audiobook-because of the characters as well as the historical content.

Highly recommended!

Any additional comments?

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review.

Not Al Capone

Totally misleading title and a boring book. "I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Blast."

Not worth finishing

Couldn’t get interested in the book to finish. Wish I would had picked a different book.