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"В первые дни после принятия в США сухого закона, задолго до того, как имя Аль Капоне стало известно всем американцам, сын немецких иммигрантов Джордж Римус бросил юридическую практику и занялся торговлей виски. Через два года он стал мультимиллионером. На экстравагантных вечеринках в своем роскошном особняке в Цинциннати он, вместе с женой, светской львицей Имоджен,
щедро одарял гостей: бриллианты � мужчинам, дорогие авто � женщинам. К середине 1921 года Римус контролировал 35% всей торговли спиртным в США. Помощник генерального прокурора Мейбл Уокер Виллебрандт решила свергнуть "короля бутлегеров" с его трона. Она направила своего лучшего агента Франклина Дод
щедро одарял гостей: бриллианты � мужчинам, дорогие авто � женщинам. К середине 1921 года Римус контролировал 35% всей торговли спиртным в США. Помощник генерального прокурора Мейбл Уокер Виллебрандт решила свергнуть "короля бутлегеров" с его трона. Она направила своего лучшего агента Франклина Дод
434 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 6, 2019
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About the author
Karen Abbott
6books700followersThis author is also published under Abbott Kahler.
Karen Abbott is the New York Times bestselling author of Sin in the Second City: Madams, Ministers, Playboys, and the Battle for America's Soul, American Rose: A Nation Laid Bare: The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee, Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War, and, most recently, The Ghosts of Eden Park: The Bootleg King, the Women Who Pursued Him, and the Murder That Shocked Jazz- Age America, named an Amazon best book of the month for August 2019. She has written for newyorker.com, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Smithsonian Magazine, Salon and other publications.
Karen Abbott is the New York Times bestselling author of Sin in the Second City: Madams, Ministers, Playboys, and the Battle for America's Soul, American Rose: A Nation Laid Bare: The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee, Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War, and, most recently, The Ghosts of Eden Park: The Bootleg King, the Women Who Pursued Him, and the Murder That Shocked Jazz- Age America, named an Amazon best book of the month for August 2019. She has written for newyorker.com, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Smithsonian Magazine, Salon and other publications.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 919 reviews
September 6, 2019
The Ghosts of Eden Park: The Bootleg King, the Women Who Pursued Him, and the Murder That Shocked Jazz-Age America by Karen Abbott is a 2019 Crown Publishing Group publication.
An absorbing and shocking true crime saga!!
George Remus is a name I was only moderately familiar with. I knew he was a famous bootlegger during prohibition, but I didn’t know much more than that. I had not familiarized myself with his complex criminal operation or with his personal issues, which included referring to himself in third person, and the hint of mental instability. So, I had no idea what to expect when I started reading this book.
Well, to say George lived a colorful life is an understatement. As an attorney, he found a way to procure alcohol legally for “medicinal purposes.� This subterfuge allowed him to take control of a large percentage of distilleries. From there he built a very lucrative bootlegging operation which made him quite wealthy, earning him the moniker, “The King of the Bootleggers�.
George and his second wife, Imogene, lived a lavish lifestyle, handing out diamonds and cars to their party guests, but the law was not ignorant of his enterprise. Enter Mabel Walker Willebrandt, a prosecutor with the Attorney General’s office, whose job it was to investigate and prosecute violators of the Volstead Act.
Mabel Walker Willebrandt
This is where the story really gets interesting. One of Wellebrant’s agents, Frank Dodge, was assigned the task of infiltrating Remus� empire. Frank’s involvement lead to a shocking turn of events that would have made a gripping crime novel. The head spinning twist and turns in this case just goes to show that truth really is stranger than fiction�
Imogene Remus
Since Truman Capote spoiled us with his ‘True Crime Novel�, any other approach to this ‘genre� can be mind numbingly dry. Yet, Karen Abbott has employed a new technique which I thought worked out quite well.
The book is written in the standard chronological format- thank goodness, as I’ve never seen nonfiction work out when someone gets creative with the timeline. The research is also noteworthy as the author had access to thousands of pages of transcripts. Naturally, this requires exceptional organizational skill, and Ms. Abbot did a phenomenal job with so much material.
George Remus
There are many people involved in this tale, and unlike fiction, where the author has control over the number of characters involved in the plot, the author didn’t have that same luxury when it came to writing nonfiction. Still, I thought Abbott handled it nicely, including all the key players in this saga without allowing it to slow down the momentum. In fact, the book is very fast paced, and held my interest all throughout.
Frank Dodge
As one will gather from the title, bootlegging is not the only crime at play. A murder is eminent which is where Abbot applies one truly unique and clever trick-
Unless one already knows how this story plays out, the victim and the murderer remain a secret until the killing transpires in real time. Abbott keeps us on the edge of our seat, building the suspense and keeping one guessing like this was a fictional murder mystery.
Then there is that stunning trial! The prosecutor was Charles Phelps Taft II, son of William Howard Taft. But you will have to read this book to believe how it concluded. It’s one of the most insane trials I’ve ever read about from this era. Talk about putting on a show!
I admit, by the time I turned the final page, I was shaking my head in disbelief. This is one bizarre story and will take readers on a wild roller coaster ride through prohibition and the politics of the day. But mostly this is one of the most entertaining true crime books I’ve read.
5 stars
An absorbing and shocking true crime saga!!
George Remus is a name I was only moderately familiar with. I knew he was a famous bootlegger during prohibition, but I didn’t know much more than that. I had not familiarized myself with his complex criminal operation or with his personal issues, which included referring to himself in third person, and the hint of mental instability. So, I had no idea what to expect when I started reading this book.
Well, to say George lived a colorful life is an understatement. As an attorney, he found a way to procure alcohol legally for “medicinal purposes.� This subterfuge allowed him to take control of a large percentage of distilleries. From there he built a very lucrative bootlegging operation which made him quite wealthy, earning him the moniker, “The King of the Bootleggers�.
George and his second wife, Imogene, lived a lavish lifestyle, handing out diamonds and cars to their party guests, but the law was not ignorant of his enterprise. Enter Mabel Walker Willebrandt, a prosecutor with the Attorney General’s office, whose job it was to investigate and prosecute violators of the Volstead Act.
Mabel Walker Willebrandt
This is where the story really gets interesting. One of Wellebrant’s agents, Frank Dodge, was assigned the task of infiltrating Remus� empire. Frank’s involvement lead to a shocking turn of events that would have made a gripping crime novel. The head spinning twist and turns in this case just goes to show that truth really is stranger than fiction�
Imogene Remus
Since Truman Capote spoiled us with his ‘True Crime Novel�, any other approach to this ‘genre� can be mind numbingly dry. Yet, Karen Abbott has employed a new technique which I thought worked out quite well.
The book is written in the standard chronological format- thank goodness, as I’ve never seen nonfiction work out when someone gets creative with the timeline. The research is also noteworthy as the author had access to thousands of pages of transcripts. Naturally, this requires exceptional organizational skill, and Ms. Abbot did a phenomenal job with so much material.
George Remus
There are many people involved in this tale, and unlike fiction, where the author has control over the number of characters involved in the plot, the author didn’t have that same luxury when it came to writing nonfiction. Still, I thought Abbott handled it nicely, including all the key players in this saga without allowing it to slow down the momentum. In fact, the book is very fast paced, and held my interest all throughout.
Frank Dodge
As one will gather from the title, bootlegging is not the only crime at play. A murder is eminent which is where Abbot applies one truly unique and clever trick-
Unless one already knows how this story plays out, the victim and the murderer remain a secret until the killing transpires in real time. Abbott keeps us on the edge of our seat, building the suspense and keeping one guessing like this was a fictional murder mystery.
Then there is that stunning trial! The prosecutor was Charles Phelps Taft II, son of William Howard Taft. But you will have to read this book to believe how it concluded. It’s one of the most insane trials I’ve ever read about from this era. Talk about putting on a show!
I admit, by the time I turned the final page, I was shaking my head in disbelief. This is one bizarre story and will take readers on a wild roller coaster ride through prohibition and the politics of the day. But mostly this is one of the most entertaining true crime books I’ve read.
5 stars
June 28, 2019
I have read all of Abbott's books, even though I am primarily a fiction reader. I love them because they read like novels. This one reads like a literary legal thriller.
It has some INSANE twists. I love that things actually happened that would break my suspension of disbelief in fiction. The truth really is stranger. Well drawn characters, gorgeous writing, and a murder mystery? Yes, please. Highly recommended.
It has some INSANE twists. I love that things actually happened that would break my suspension of disbelief in fiction. The truth really is stranger. Well drawn characters, gorgeous writing, and a murder mystery? Yes, please. Highly recommended.
February 19, 2020
Before Al Capone is known, a German immigrant, George Remus sees the many opportunities Prohibition offers and seizes the chance. Although he was currently working as a lawyer he becomes the king of the bootleggers. In a few years, he and his wife Imogene amass a fortune. The best cars, clothes, s huge mansion in Cincinnati with all the best furnishing. Remus even has a swimming pool built just for Imogene.
This massive display if wealth comes to the attention of Mabel Willebrandt, a woman, one of only s few, in charge of prosecuting these notorious bootleggers. She sends her investigator Dodge, a huge mistake as it provides the impetus for all that follows, including the nurse.
Narrative non fiction, easy to follow, well researched and quite interesting. Jazz age excess and crime, seems to go hand in hand. Such an interesting time period. The descriptions are vividly portrayed and one gets s good sense of the characters and their motives. Hearing actual parts of the trial was an added bonus.
The narrators were Rob Shapiro and Cassandra Campbell who I thought were excellent. I'm not sure I would have enjoyed reading this book a ps much as I did by listening to the audio.
This massive display if wealth comes to the attention of Mabel Willebrandt, a woman, one of only s few, in charge of prosecuting these notorious bootleggers. She sends her investigator Dodge, a huge mistake as it provides the impetus for all that follows, including the nurse.
Narrative non fiction, easy to follow, well researched and quite interesting. Jazz age excess and crime, seems to go hand in hand. Such an interesting time period. The descriptions are vividly portrayed and one gets s good sense of the characters and their motives. Hearing actual parts of the trial was an added bonus.
The narrators were Rob Shapiro and Cassandra Campbell who I thought were excellent. I'm not sure I would have enjoyed reading this book a ps much as I did by listening to the audio.
May 20, 2020
I appropriately picked up this book last fall at the Cincinnati literary festival Books by the Banks. At the time, I didn't realize the book was set in the area! In this true crime tale, Abbott sets out the story of George Remus, a teetotaler who built a whiskey empire during Prohibition, and was so successful that at one point he controlled 30% of the liquor consumed during that time. I felt like I was reading about a real-life Jay Gatsby: the real-life details about Remus's wild parties were unbelievable!
A truth-is-stranger-than-fiction epic from the Jazz Age.
A truth-is-stranger-than-fiction epic from the Jazz Age.
March 25, 2021
Prohibition was a really bad idea.
And it worked out very badly for everyone in this story.
For an incisive and thorough review of this fascinating book, far better than I could write, please check out my friend Julie's review which led me to listen to this fantastical tale, all the more so because it was true.
And it worked out very badly for everyone in this story.
For an incisive and thorough review of this fascinating book, far better than I could write, please check out my friend Julie's review which led me to listen to this fantastical tale, all the more so because it was true.
July 21, 2019
Competently executed yet disappointingly dull.
I have greatly enjoyed Abbott’s other work and expected this to be a slam dunk. Unfortunately, I found myself bored of the narrative and apathetic about the subject matter.
Generally speaking, bootlegging and Prohibition are not topics that lend themselves particularly well to narrative nonfiction. They certainly *seem* like they should (largely because fiction has done such a good job with this topic), but the sad fact is that money and (temporary) criminal success don’t necessarily make a subject worthy of being immortalized on the proverbial page.
Such is the case with the subjects of this particular narrative. Remus is certainly a savvy businessman, but he’s also mentally unstable and not much of an intellectual, even if you concede he had some decent street smarts. Even that feels worthless though, since by the end of his tale he’s barely comprehensible. Imogene seems like a nasty opportunist rather than the clever con woman who finally snaps that the book seems to want her to be.
Abbott’s writing and research are both good, but the choice of subject matter feels ill-advised. While the story has some interesting moments, it simply isn’t compelling enough to warrant an entire book. This could have been a great long form article, but as a book it feels indulgent and excessive.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
I have greatly enjoyed Abbott’s other work and expected this to be a slam dunk. Unfortunately, I found myself bored of the narrative and apathetic about the subject matter.
Generally speaking, bootlegging and Prohibition are not topics that lend themselves particularly well to narrative nonfiction. They certainly *seem* like they should (largely because fiction has done such a good job with this topic), but the sad fact is that money and (temporary) criminal success don’t necessarily make a subject worthy of being immortalized on the proverbial page.
Such is the case with the subjects of this particular narrative. Remus is certainly a savvy businessman, but he’s also mentally unstable and not much of an intellectual, even if you concede he had some decent street smarts. Even that feels worthless though, since by the end of his tale he’s barely comprehensible. Imogene seems like a nasty opportunist rather than the clever con woman who finally snaps that the book seems to want her to be.
Abbott’s writing and research are both good, but the choice of subject matter feels ill-advised. While the story has some interesting moments, it simply isn’t compelling enough to warrant an entire book. This could have been a great long form article, but as a book it feels indulgent and excessive.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
January 20, 2023
This is an interesting true crime story of one of the richest bootleggers of the 1920s.....George Remus, who, frankly, I had never heard of. He had millions and his second wife spent it like water. She married him for his money and he was obsessed with her. Remus was a rather unstable personality and his obsession bordered on psychosis.
Prohibition was in full force and Remus was one of the targets of the Prohibition governing agency. When a trusted agent was sent to "get the goods" on him, problems arose which eventually set off the murder of one of the main protagonists. The reader is kept somewhat in suspense about exactly who is going to be murdered, at least in the first half of the book.
The second half deals with the trial. Usually coverage of trials can be rather boring but not so here. The author keeps things moving at a fast pace and holds the reader's attention throughout. I don't want to say much more than that since there are some unexpected twists and turns but do recommend this book, both for the writing and the subject matter. A good read!
Prohibition was in full force and Remus was one of the targets of the Prohibition governing agency. When a trusted agent was sent to "get the goods" on him, problems arose which eventually set off the murder of one of the main protagonists. The reader is kept somewhat in suspense about exactly who is going to be murdered, at least in the first half of the book.
The second half deals with the trial. Usually coverage of trials can be rather boring but not so here. The author keeps things moving at a fast pace and holds the reader's attention throughout. I don't want to say much more than that since there are some unexpected twists and turns but do recommend this book, both for the writing and the subject matter. A good read!
September 28, 2019
3.5 stars
This book is hard for me to review, due to two reasons - first, I read it in starts and stops and secondly, although very well researched, it became boring in spots. However, it is due back to the library today, so I lack the time to ponder or procrastinate.
Gangsters, bootleggers, crime and corruption, and all in the Midwest. That is what drew me to the book. And there was plenty of that for the taking. The star of this book was George Remus, multimillionaire and known as the "King of the Bootleggers". With most of the local police in his pocket, a mansion in Cincinnati and a rebellious wife, Imogene, George owned a third of all liquor in the United States. Then with George in prison, Imogene decides to take him off his throne and she sells off most of his millions. The result - murder.
This is non-fiction and very well researched. It takes you through a time and place that is little known to most people. This story of prohibition took place before even Al Capone was notorious. It tells of the rise of George Remus, his life with his wife Imogene, and through his trial. Then also of the aftermath of his imprisonment.
Boring in spots when the details over ran the story, and entertaining in learning the history of Remus and his bootlegging days.
This book is hard for me to review, due to two reasons - first, I read it in starts and stops and secondly, although very well researched, it became boring in spots. However, it is due back to the library today, so I lack the time to ponder or procrastinate.
Gangsters, bootleggers, crime and corruption, and all in the Midwest. That is what drew me to the book. And there was plenty of that for the taking. The star of this book was George Remus, multimillionaire and known as the "King of the Bootleggers". With most of the local police in his pocket, a mansion in Cincinnati and a rebellious wife, Imogene, George owned a third of all liquor in the United States. Then with George in prison, Imogene decides to take him off his throne and she sells off most of his millions. The result - murder.
This is non-fiction and very well researched. It takes you through a time and place that is little known to most people. This story of prohibition took place before even Al Capone was notorious. It tells of the rise of George Remus, his life with his wife Imogene, and through his trial. Then also of the aftermath of his imprisonment.
Boring in spots when the details over ran the story, and entertaining in learning the history of Remus and his bootlegging days.
May 24, 2020
Many thanks to Crown Publishing for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review
This wasn't that interesting to me. It wasn't horrible but I've read better true crime novels
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August 23, 2019
The Ghosts of Eden Park Karen Abbott
Karen Abbott brilliantly pieces together this page-turner through meticulous resource and without any fictional dialogue. With so much chronicled information, I suspected this might be a dry journaling of events but no, far from it! It is a rich narrative, a captivating story about a volatile time in American history that involved widespread corruption amongst a who’s who of politicians, judges, law enforcement and civilians.
So many wanted a piece of the bootlegging action. Each major character either good or bad was masterfully depicted by Abbott and fascinating to follow. Day to day business included maneuvering, extortion, bribery, backstabbing, and an incomprehensible volume of money - mind-boggling!
It was difficult choosing my favorite character as I was as fascinated by the good guys as well as the bad. Mabel Walker Willenbrandt, the ‘First Lady of Law� was an inspiration. George Remus, pharmacist, lawyer and bootlegger was one heck of a visionary. A genius with unpredictable anger, insane jealousy and misplaced trust, I was gobsmacked by his story. One of the best non-fiction books I have read!
Karen Abbott brilliantly pieces together this page-turner through meticulous resource and without any fictional dialogue. With so much chronicled information, I suspected this might be a dry journaling of events but no, far from it! It is a rich narrative, a captivating story about a volatile time in American history that involved widespread corruption amongst a who’s who of politicians, judges, law enforcement and civilians.
So many wanted a piece of the bootlegging action. Each major character either good or bad was masterfully depicted by Abbott and fascinating to follow. Day to day business included maneuvering, extortion, bribery, backstabbing, and an incomprehensible volume of money - mind-boggling!
It was difficult choosing my favorite character as I was as fascinated by the good guys as well as the bad. Mabel Walker Willenbrandt, the ‘First Lady of Law� was an inspiration. George Remus, pharmacist, lawyer and bootlegger was one heck of a visionary. A genius with unpredictable anger, insane jealousy and misplaced trust, I was gobsmacked by his story. One of the best non-fiction books I have read!
June 25, 2019
Sexy, smart, compulsively readable -- and expertly researched.
January 29, 2022
I didn't know what to expect with The Ghosts of Eden Park: The Bootleg King, the Women Who Pursued Him, and the Murder That Shocked Jazz-Age America by Karen Abbott, but it was definitely worth picking up. I really like Abbott's writing style as this reads like a novel. It really pulls you in quickly. I've heard of Capone, but this was my first introduction to Remus and it was something else!
October 2, 2019
This is a must read in Cincinnati, where I’ve lived for the past 27 years. Great city btw. I combined ebook and audio, which I like to do occasionally, depending on the book. This audio was great so I switched over half way through.
Alternating male and female narrators added to the appeal of listening and sparking the content. Facts and entertaining drama entwined for great historical content we must “keep alive.�
Must read for true crime fans.
Alternating male and female narrators added to the appeal of listening and sparking the content. Facts and entertaining drama entwined for great historical content we must “keep alive.�
Must read for true crime fans.
November 29, 2024
3.5 stars 🌟
*libby app, Overdrive was better *
*libby app, Overdrive was better *
August 26, 2022
Crazy true story. Crazy people from start to finish. This book is meticulously researched, but could have used just a bit more editing. The antics of Remus and his bizarre wife started to grate on my nerves after awhile. I guess that just makes the story even more outlandish.
March 31, 2023
A non-fiction book first has to be about a worthy subject. An example of a not-book-worthy subject is the 'book' 'Black Klansman,' the story of how a black peace officer applied to a Klan recruitment ad on the phone. Ghosts of Eden Park is a much, much more interesting and intriguing story. I give a higher rating to non-fiction books mostly based on the writer's skill at storytelling. The writer doesn't have the luxury of making up a better story; he takes it as it is. This book is an example of truth stranger than fiction: if a novelist made up this story, many aspects would be ridiculed as unbelievable. George Remus, a flamboyant Chicago defense lawyer, defended a man who had sold illegal liquor after the beginning of Prohibition. Like any competent lawyer, he read the law and its exceptions carefully, looking for help for his client. Remus found the exception for liquor used for medicinal purposes. What did he do? He bought drug companies and drug stores and had them buy stored liquor to dispense for medicinal purposes. In no time at all he had a cottage industry that looked like Amazon for liquor. An amazing tale and a cautionary one as we consider our current 'War' on drugs.
September 1, 2019
Americans have long been fascinated with Prohibition and bootleggers, so it's no surprise that a story about one of the biggest bootleggers would bring such attention. Throw in a domestic murder as well and you have the makings of what should have been a spell-binding read. Unfortunately, this book doesn't really get there. Abbott's research is extensive and meticulous, but I think that might actually have hampered the storytelling. So much secondary and tertiary information gets included that the narrative drive fails miserably in the second half of the book. All we're left with is legal details and court shenanigans. I wanted to love this one, but ultimately I was disappointed and it became a chore to finish.
September 3, 2019
A well-researched if sometimes laborious account of a 1920s murder. The book includes plenty of interesting historical information but the events never seem to get tied together adequately.
June 9, 2024
“There go the whiskey trucks!”🍷🍸�
This one is right up my alley, true crime in the jazz age, prohibition, bootleggers, crime of passion what's not to like, all put together beautifully by Karen Abbott. Prohibition was a ridiculously unenforceable law that accomplished only the creation of men like George Remus (a piece of work!), Al Capone, etc. You can't stop the consumption and trafficking of substances the masses want to buy. An interesting part of this book was the story of Assistant US Attorney Mabel Willebrandt, a woman in a position of power at a time when that was rare, unfortunately in the end she acted like most men, she protected and failed to prosecute her top agent, who was no better than the criminals she worked so hard to lock up. Very good read if this is your thing.
This one is right up my alley, true crime in the jazz age, prohibition, bootleggers, crime of passion what's not to like, all put together beautifully by Karen Abbott. Prohibition was a ridiculously unenforceable law that accomplished only the creation of men like George Remus (a piece of work!), Al Capone, etc. You can't stop the consumption and trafficking of substances the masses want to buy. An interesting part of this book was the story of Assistant US Attorney Mabel Willebrandt, a woman in a position of power at a time when that was rare, unfortunately in the end she acted like most men, she protected and failed to prosecute her top agent, who was no better than the criminals she worked so hard to lock up. Very good read if this is your thing.
June 30, 2023
I got a hold of this book because its narrative occurred in Cincinnati during the 1920s. My father was born in Cincinnati in 1921 so I felt a personal connection to the Bootleg King, not because I'm a heavy boozer, but because I could imagine my father as a small child living a few miles away from the action.
Karen Abbott has written a history book that reads like a crime novel. She is able to provide dialogues based on numerous court records, newspaper articles and personal correspondence which she researched and referenced in the close to 2,ooo footnotes included in the book.
Possibly the most interesting part of the story (by interesting, I mean titillating) is that once the Bootleg King is found guilty of various liquor trafficking violations and sent to prison, the chief federal investigator on the case takes up with the King's wife, and in less than three years liquidates most of his assets, while riding around in his touring car and sleeping with the King's wife in the King's bed. And those guys over at Fox News think today's federal investigators overreach.
Because these things actually happened, I was unconcerned with the author's plot stratagems or character development. Nevertheless it is a very good story, told in a compelling manner.
Karen Abbott has written a history book that reads like a crime novel. She is able to provide dialogues based on numerous court records, newspaper articles and personal correspondence which she researched and referenced in the close to 2,ooo footnotes included in the book.
Possibly the most interesting part of the story (by interesting, I mean titillating) is that once the Bootleg King is found guilty of various liquor trafficking violations and sent to prison, the chief federal investigator on the case takes up with the King's wife, and in less than three years liquidates most of his assets, while riding around in his touring car and sleeping with the King's wife in the King's bed. And those guys over at Fox News think today's federal investigators overreach.
Because these things actually happened, I was unconcerned with the author's plot stratagems or character development. Nevertheless it is a very good story, told in a compelling manner.
February 5, 2021
Interesting read. I had no idea of this story so it read as a mystery to me more than true crime. I didn't know who was murdered until the author revealed it, and I was a little surprised as to who and how it went down.
June 22, 2023
Excellent true crime story from the Prohibition era. Abbott’s writing is like an epic historical novel and you forget that you’re reading nonfiction. Interesting, riveting and informative- highly recommended!
Want to read
August 28, 2019Harold Schechter at the WSJ found it a "hugely entertaining work of popular history":
(as always, I'm happy to email a copy to non-subscribers)
Excerpts:
George Remus, a pharmacist & lawyer, found a loophole in the Volstead act "that permitted licensed pharmacists, such as himself, to legally acquire liquor for “medicinal purposes.� Within a year, he owned �35 percent of all the liquor in the United States.� The tabloids would crown him “King of the Bootleggers.� He got very, very rich.
The author "describes a New Year’s Eve bash hosted by the Remuses at which“cigars were lit with $100 bills, and party favors consisted of gold watches and diamond stick pins for the men and, for each lady in attendance, a brand-new Pontiac."
Remus's nemesis was Mabel Walker Willebrandt, an assistant Attorney General in charge of enforcing Prohibition. "Willebrandt—who began each day with an ice-cold bath and kept a framed quote by Cotton Mather on her office wall for inspiration—set about pursuing the nation’s leading bootleggers, with George Remus at the top of her list."
OK, I'm in. Let's see what others here have to say. . . .
(as always, I'm happy to email a copy to non-subscribers)
Excerpts:
George Remus, a pharmacist & lawyer, found a loophole in the Volstead act "that permitted licensed pharmacists, such as himself, to legally acquire liquor for “medicinal purposes.� Within a year, he owned �35 percent of all the liquor in the United States.� The tabloids would crown him “King of the Bootleggers.� He got very, very rich.
The author "describes a New Year’s Eve bash hosted by the Remuses at which“cigars were lit with $100 bills, and party favors consisted of gold watches and diamond stick pins for the men and, for each lady in attendance, a brand-new Pontiac."
Remus's nemesis was Mabel Walker Willebrandt, an assistant Attorney General in charge of enforcing Prohibition. "Willebrandt—who began each day with an ice-cold bath and kept a framed quote by Cotton Mather on her office wall for inspiration—set about pursuing the nation’s leading bootleggers, with George Remus at the top of her list."
OK, I'm in. Let's see what others here have to say. . . .
September 28, 2020
This visceral, colorful account of the rise and fall of George Remus instantly won a special place in my heart. Not only is it meticulously researched and breathtakingly told, but Karen Abbot truly brings 1920s Cincinnati to life - or maybe she takes you back to it, just for a little while. She somehow captures the wistful longing of a time long gone, and captures all the optimism, tragedy, and vague sadness of that decade as beautifully as F. Scott Fitzgerald did. I'm keeping this as close to my writing space as I do Gatsby and Flappers and Philosophers. I don't know that I've ever been taken back in time like this.
If it means anything, this book set me alight with its beauty and helped spark the inspiration to finish my debut novel, "Mary, Everything".
And the book's ending is a perfect coup de grace.
If it means anything, this book set me alight with its beauty and helped spark the inspiration to finish my debut novel, "Mary, Everything".
And the book's ending is a perfect coup de grace.
June 6, 2020
I was drawn to this book because I'm a sucker for "truth is stranger than fiction" nonfiction. Unfortunately while I can appreciate the author had access to legal research etc. - this book focuses on the least interesting guy in the room: George Remus. Basically he's another sociopath megalomaniac gangster like all the other sociopath megalomaniac gangster that have come before him (and since). No, the story here is Imogene and Dodge. Like, how did these too actually hook up? What was their relationship like? Did Imogene hitch her wagon to Remus, identifying him as a mark - or did she get swayed by Dodge, fed up with Remus's abuse - I mean what made this woman tick? That's what I wanted. George Remus - not so much.
May 12, 2021
3.5 stars
George Remus was quite the character, from being a teetotaling bootlegger to eschewing underwear and being quite the drama king.
Impressive bibliography and notes.
One character stood out the most is Mabel Willebrandt.
Knowing the area very well having spent years working in the adjacent neighborhood, the events of this book might have been more interesting to me than some other readers.
Learned of the paradox to sue bootleggers on tax evasion, as Al Capone was.
Of course as it seems throughout history and to the present day: the rich and powerful could do what they please regardless of the law.
George Remus was quite the character, from being a teetotaling bootlegger to eschewing underwear and being quite the drama king.
Impressive bibliography and notes.
One character stood out the most is Mabel Willebrandt.
Knowing the area very well having spent years working in the adjacent neighborhood, the events of this book might have been more interesting to me than some other readers.
Learned of the paradox to sue bootleggers on tax evasion, as Al Capone was.
Of course as it seems throughout history and to the present day: the rich and powerful could do what they please regardless of the law.
January 22, 2020
The grumpus23 (23-word commentary)
Life story of The King of Bootleggers. While in prison, wife has affair with government agent. Someone is murdered. Insane? Read to decide.
Life story of The King of Bootleggers. While in prison, wife has affair with government agent. Someone is murdered. Insane? Read to decide.
December 6, 2019
A book with really many different stories inside all dealing with prohibition. You have George Remus who first divorces his first wife, marries second wife Imogene. Because he has a pharmacist license, he was allowed to purchase liquor. This was for medical purposes but he saw a way to make money out of it and did he ever. Within a few years of their marriage, the two of them were living in a mansion, with the top of the line in everything. They would also have very elaborate parties that were over the top as well. This would go on until 1925 when he was finally sent to prison.
The person fighting him and the rest of the nation was Mabel Willebrandt. She was a U.S. Assistant Attorney General from 1921-1929. Her story was very fascinating, her working for the government was very frustrating. She got help in words only. She had to fight even when her office took someone to court. A judge dismissed a charge of tax evasion with evidence when just years later Capone would go to prison for the same charge.
Her real big trouble was agents working for her and the bootleggers. One turned out to flip himself after they put him in the prison as Remus who had not fallen for that trick until Franklin Dodge got the information he needed and instead of going back to his office he went to Imogene. Who then divorced Remus, or began to? She did sell the Fleishman distillery then gave her ex $100.00 dollars. That only pissed him off, for he knew how much he had and of the sell.
Miss. Willebrandt equally frustrated because she lost an agent and when a new president was elected thinking she would become Attorney General; she was passed over for a male.
Once Remus was out of prison he went after his soon to be ex and where the story takes a wicked turn, he chases her in a park with his car and shots her twice. She dies, when he goes to trial, he pleads insanity and goes to an institution therefore when he is thought not to be crazy cannot try him again or double jeopardy. He gets away with murder.
Of course, there is so much more to this story. How they evaded raids. Having tunnels built how he himself controlled 30% of the liquor that Americans were drinking up until 1925. That is amazing. Also, the story of Miss Willebrandt for me was very good and I don’t know if a book was ever written about her but she sounded like a powerful woman for that time. Overall an excellent story, very much worth the read. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at
The person fighting him and the rest of the nation was Mabel Willebrandt. She was a U.S. Assistant Attorney General from 1921-1929. Her story was very fascinating, her working for the government was very frustrating. She got help in words only. She had to fight even when her office took someone to court. A judge dismissed a charge of tax evasion with evidence when just years later Capone would go to prison for the same charge.
Her real big trouble was agents working for her and the bootleggers. One turned out to flip himself after they put him in the prison as Remus who had not fallen for that trick until Franklin Dodge got the information he needed and instead of going back to his office he went to Imogene. Who then divorced Remus, or began to? She did sell the Fleishman distillery then gave her ex $100.00 dollars. That only pissed him off, for he knew how much he had and of the sell.
Miss. Willebrandt equally frustrated because she lost an agent and when a new president was elected thinking she would become Attorney General; she was passed over for a male.
Once Remus was out of prison he went after his soon to be ex and where the story takes a wicked turn, he chases her in a park with his car and shots her twice. She dies, when he goes to trial, he pleads insanity and goes to an institution therefore when he is thought not to be crazy cannot try him again or double jeopardy. He gets away with murder.
Of course, there is so much more to this story. How they evaded raids. Having tunnels built how he himself controlled 30% of the liquor that Americans were drinking up until 1925. That is amazing. Also, the story of Miss Willebrandt for me was very good and I don’t know if a book was ever written about her but she sounded like a powerful woman for that time. Overall an excellent story, very much worth the read. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at
March 19, 2024
I have had this on my TBR for a little over a year. I enjoyed reading about the 1920s. This particular time in history fascinates me. The attitude, the excess, the mobsters, the flappers, the politics and laws, all of it captivates me. This book; however, was just meh. I didn't love it, didn't hate it. Something was off. It was scandalous and had shock value, but the heart was missing. I don't feel anything for the people involved and am honestly left with more questions than answers, which is a bit frustrating. Don't know that I would recommend this one.
January 4, 2020
Such a fascinating tale. Almost unbelievable. Great writing and storytelling. I enjoyed getting a glimpse into Prohobition and the good/evil side of it. I've read one other book by this author and loved it as well.
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