Open City: True Story of the KC Crime Family 1900-1950

Open City is the true historical account of the birth and growth of the Kansas City organized "Crime Family" during the first 50 years of the 20th Century resulting in a reputation as a city dominated by political corruption and a powerful crime syndicate. With roots traced back to the secret societies of Southern Italy and Sicily, a Mafia-like clan came to be in Kansas City's Little Italy community - a band of extortionists victimizing the community in what was labeled the Black Hand era. The development of the "Crime Family" is followed through prohibition, an alliance with the powerful and corrupt Tom Pendergast Machine, the roaring 20s, a wide open city of the 30s, and hard times in the 50s. It is a story of a captive city, unbridled politicians, powerful and colorful mobsters, gangland murders, racket activities, links with other city's criminal syndicates, and courageous police officers and reformers. The author's FBI career allows for an uncommon insight and analysis of the historical materials that make up this exceptional story.