Eliot Ness: The Real Story

by Paul W. Heimel

Overview

This is the definitive biography of the famous crimefighter, Eliot Ness.
Behind the Hollywood legend portrayed by Robert Stack and Kevin Costner is a fascinating and highly effective lawman whose courage and cunning helped the federal government bring down Scarface Al Capone in gangland Chicago.

Ness went on to enjoy a successful law enforcement career in Cleveland, ridding the city of corrupt cops and organized crime figures.

You've heard the legend; now learn the REAL STORY.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781581821390
Publisher:	TURNER PUB CO
Publication date:	09/20/2000
Edition description:	Second Edition, Revised
Pages:	340
Product dimensions:	5.47(w) x 8.37(h) x 0.82(d)

Editorial Reviews

Eliot Ness (1903-1957) is popularly known as a vice-battling paragon of integritythe man who put Al Capone out of business. This image, Heimel (High Wire Angel: The Angel Wallenda Story, 1993) shows, is largely a fiction created by Ness and ghostwriter Oscar Fraley for the book The Untouchables (1957), then perpetuated by the TV series starring Robert Stack. As Heimel explains, the truth about Ness is much more ambiguous and interesting. In spite of his work enforcing the Prohibition, Ness was a heavy drinker, a womanizer and something of a blowhard. He was politically ambitious and a relentless self-promoter, yet wound up a failure in business and politics and died nearly penniless. Those who knew him liked him and found him charming, yet he was a dull and inept campaigner. Unfortunately, in this lifeless biography these contradictions are stated rather than engaged. Heimel seems to make little attempt to understand the complexities of Ness's personality. A single lively reminiscence from a drinking crony speaks more to Ness's personality than does most of Heimel's exposition. The author leans heavily on secondary sources, including newspaper articles that he describes at the end of the book as "incomplete and... inaccurate," and the interviews he conducted for the book seem superficial. This book will likely disappoint informed readers. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly