Dillinger, Anniversary Edition The Untold Story [Paperback]

While researching a book on Depression-era outlaws, Playboy editor William J. Helmer stumbled upon a 600-page manuscript on John Dillinger. Written in the 1930s by G. Russell Girardin but never published, Dillinger: The Untold Story is a captivating and revealing account of Dillinger's life and crimes, based in part on information given to Girardin by the outlaw's lawyer, Louis Piquett, shortly after Dillinger's death. Though a series of articles written by Girardin and Piquett appeared in various newspapers at the time, the manuscript continued to yellow on the shelf for half a century until Helmer met Girardin and agreed to help get it published. This anniversary edition is filled with more illustrations and new information from FBI files and other sources, making it a rich and authentic slice of American history and a feast for true crime buffs.

This is one of the most unusual books in the annals of modern true-crime writing, for the bulk of the text was written 60 years ago and never before published. . . . Helmer has been faithful to the florid style of the original . . . copious and informative notes reflect his further research, based on sources not available to Girardin. The book constitutes a significant addition to Americana.. . . a wild ride through one of the most fascinating periods in American criminal history.For true crime buffs, ?Dillinger: The Untold Story is a remarkable slice of American history.. . . a wryly subversive commentary on the eternal, infernal interplay between law and lawbreaker.. . . the first comprehensive overview of Dillingers betrayal and killing. . . . A fascinating addition to the true-crime shelf.This book is a real steal and deserves to become legendary in its own right. . . . It reads like the best of fictiononly it's great history.A fascinating addition to the true-crime shelf.Retains much of the spirit of the Depression era, when many regarded bankers as evil and bank robbers were celebrated in the media. . . . A l“.