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$26.99
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0970461402
ISBN-13: 978-0970461407
Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.1 x 1.2 inches
Price: $26.99
Ordering: See below for details
$32.80
$39.99
- San Francisco Chronicle
“They're all here, from Capone and the Birdman to tough warden "Salt Water" Johnston and even the "Rock Islanders" inmate orchestra. More comprehensive than any website and more fun than an archive, "Alcatraz" delivers on its promise as a definitive history. Author Michael Esslinger balances the drama of his narrative with an earnest effort to let the facts speak for themselves. The result is a fascinating portrait, sprung from the heart of Devil's Island.”
- Chicago Tribune
"This is a serious book, a comprehensive history of the island during its three decades as a federal penitentiary. At 451 oversized pages, including more than 1,000 pictures, it also represents a mammoth research undertaking... simply a terrific book, and an even better reference tool."
- Coast Weekly
"I think you will enjoy reading Michael's book. Through meticulous research, he has captured the experience of Alcatraz with an authentic voice. It is a skillful blend of history and character study, and a compelling portrait of America's most notorious prison."
- From the foreword by former Alcatraz inmate Darwin E. Coon
“Many books have been written about Alcatraz, or rather about aspects of its history (i.e., prison life as recounted by former inmates or accounts of the sensational escape attempts), but Michael Esslinger has compiled the first complete definitive history of The Rock. From fortress to military prison to federal penitentiary through the "Indian Occupation" and right down to its present status as a National Park. All the escape attempts are covered in detail, as are the infamous inmates, and the political maneuverings that led to both the rise and fall of Alcatraz. Even Alcatraz movies are examined and both the similarities and contrasts of the real "Birdman," Robert Stroud, with the character portrayed by Burt Lancaster, are startling. Though boasting an extensive bibliography, the book is the end product of original research at its finest, being based largely on Bureau of Prison records, FBI files, contemporary news accounts, and interviews with many former Alcatraz inmates and officials. And this scholarly and well-written work is a visual delight at 450 pages and with hundreds of photos. Also included is a complete listing of all Alcatraz inmates. The first truly factual work on a much sensationalized chapter of American history, it's an endlessly fascinating book and makes for great reading.”
- Rick Maddox
Coauthor (with William Helmer) of Public Enemies: America's Criminal Past 1919-1940. Contributor to Thompson, the American Legend, the First Submachine Gun, compiled by Tracie Hill. Author of various articles on '20's and '30's gangsters and researcher and contributor for several true crime books and TV documentaries.
“Historian Michael Esslinger offers readers an in-depth portrait of the intimidating and seemingly inescapable American prison in Alcatraz: A Definitive History Of The Penitentiary Years. Black-and-white photographs enhance a detailed chronicle of this penal institution and its inmates, from its creation as a Mexican military fortress, to it's first use as an American Civil War facility of incarceration for prisoners of war by the Union in 1861, down to its final closure in 1963. A detailed, in-depth, definitive, informative, and superbly presented account of an infamous institution of American history, Alcatraz is a unique and welcome contribution to Penology Studies and American History reference collections.”
Jim Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review, KNLS Bookwatch
Orders
Historian Michael Esslinger thoroughly details the prominent events, inmates, and life inside the most infamous prison in American History. His research included hundreds of hours examining actual Alcatraz inmate files (including rare original documents from Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, and over a hundred others) exploring the prison grounds from the rooftop to the waterfront to help retrace events, escape routes, in addition to conducting various interviews with former inmates & guards. His study has resulted in detailed accounts of both the 1946 & 1962 Escape attempts. A definitive account of the 1962 escape of Frank Morris and the Anglin Brothers provides rare insight extracted through photos, and over 1,700 pages of FBI investigative notes.
Detailed narratives of Alcatraz's most notable inmates who include Robert Stroud (Birdman of Alcatraz), Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, Frank Morris, the Anglin Brothers, Doc Barker, Joe Cretzer, Bernard Coy, Miran Thompson, Sam Shockley, and many many others. Alcatraz Federal Prison - A Definitive History of the Penitentiary Years, is a comprehensive reference on the history of Alcatraz and contains one of the most comprehensive archives of inmate and prison life photographs (nearly 1,000) from 1934-1963.
Please read and select the option button for your preferred method of shipment. All books are shipped via the United States Postal Service. California residents will be charged an additional 8.25% for sales tax.
Standard Media Mail shipping within the continental United States is FREE. Shipping and delivery via this method is generally 5 to 10 days. Price per book is the the standard cover rate of $26.99.
Priority Mail Shipping within the continental United States is an additional $5.81 per book. Shipping and delivery via this method is generally 2 to 7 days.
We currently offer a special discount when you purchase the Book & DVD together. You also receive FREE Priority Mail shipping for a near 25% total discount.
Please contact CoastBooks@aol.com should you experience any problems. You can also place your order under the same terms described above by sending check or money order to:
Ocean View Publishing
P.O. Box 222317
Carmel, CA 93922-2317
Ocean View Publishing Company
