Dillinger, Anniversary Edition

G. Russell Girardin had a successful career as the head of an advertising agency. He died mere months after showing William J. Helmer the long-forgotten manuscript on Dillinger.William J. Helmer is author of The Gun That Made the Twenties Roar and other books on the gangland era. He lives in Boerne, Texas.Rick Mattix is author (with William J. Helmer) of Public Enemies: America's Criminal Past, 1919–1940. He lives in Bussey, Iowa.

• ContentsForeword by Rick MattixPreface to the 75th Anniversary EditionAbout the BookPrefaceI.1. The Twig Is Bent2. The Quality of Mercy3. "And every man's hand"4. The Gang Attains Maturity5. A Florida Vacation6. Prosecutor Estill Poses for a PictureII.7. Piquett Takes the Case8. The Vanishing American9. Wooden Gun, Indiana10. How Dillinger Did ItIII.11. Enter Uncle Sam12. Storm in the Midwest13. Homecoming14. Slaughter of Innocents15. The Safest Place in AmericaIV.16. Loeser Whets His Knife17. Dillinger Goes to the Park18. The Private Life of a Public Enemy19. The Last Raid of the Dillinger Gang20. Piquett Falls from GraceV.21. The Woman in Red22. KILL DILLINGER HERE!23. The Battle of Barrington24. Piquett Pays the Price25. CasualtiesEpilogueA Dillinger ChronologyChicago Hideouts and HangoutsGravesites of Gang MembersAfter the Facts: Further Investigations by William J. HelmerA Dillinger Miscellany Prepared by Rick Mattix and William J. HelmerAcknowledgmentsSourcesIndex

". . . Girardin's book is a fantastic read."—therumpus.net, July 2, 2009". . . a wild ride through one of the most fascinating periods in American criminal history."—Chicago Tribune". . . the first comprehensive overview of Dillinger's betrayal and killing. . . . A fascinating addition to the true-crime shelf."—Digby Diehl, Playboy"Eminently revealing and enjoyable."—Kirkus Reviews"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."—Publishers Weekly"A fascinating addition to the true-crime shelf."—Playboy"One of the most entertaining, thought-provoking, and enlightening works on one of history's most infamous figures."—Austin American Statesman"Retains much of the spirit of the Depression era, when many regarded bankers as evil and bank robbers were celebrated in the media. . . . A significant addition to Americana."—Publishers Weekly"This book is a real steal and deserves to become legendary in its own right. . . . It reads like the best of fiction—only it's great history."—Minnesota History". . . Girardin's book is a fantastic read.July 2, 2009"—therumpus.net"For true crime buffs, Dillinger: The Untold Story is a remarkable slice of American history."—Nashville Banner"This year's hottest contribution to the true crime genre . . . For the ultimate you-are-there account—including jailhouse interviews with gang members—Dillinger is hard to beat."—Indianapolis Monthly". . . a wryly subversive commentary on the eternal, infernal interplay between law and lawbreaker."—The Texas Observer