This latest release for 2024 by true crime author Anthony M. DeStefano weaves together history, organized crime, and political intrigue in a gripping narrative.
Set in 1920s New York City—when jazz filled the streets, speakeasies thrived, and crime lurked in the shadows--this true crime book explores the intertwined lives of notorious figures such as Legs Diamond, Mayor Jimmy Walker, and even President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
At the heart of the story is Vivian Gordon, an aspiring showgirl. As her life and secrets unfold, we witness her journey to find success on the Great White Way, which ultimately leads to her brutal murder. This tragic event acts as a catalyst for the ensuing political drama and public outrage of the time. DeStefano does not shy away from illustrating how deeply organized crime was embedded in the city's fabric.
Broadway Butterfly is more than a murder mystery; it’s a rich tapestry of history and morality, that transports you to the heart of Prohibition-era New York City. If you’re looking for an engaging read that blends organized crime, a shocking murder, and the grit of New York City during prohibition, this book is a must-read.
The definitive, jaw-dropping account of the Jazz Age con woman, escort, speakeasy owner, and racketeer Vivian Gordon, whose sensational murder – and the damning list of powerful politicos, gangsters, and businessmen left behind in her diary - captivated Prohibition-era New York, obsessed its then-governor Franklin Delano Roosevelt, ensnared its mayor, and exposed the city’s dark underbelly of police corruption. From Pulitzer Prize and Emmy Award-winning mob historian Anthony M. Destefano.
Like so many other pretty butterflies, Indiana-born Vivian Gordon fluttered to New York in 1920 looking for fame and fortune. Before long, the flame-haired chorus girl parlayed her youth, beauty,…
Not since I read Cheryl Robertson’s Waking Up in Winter in 2018 has a book about midlife been as relatable and motivating to me as Pamela Lamp’s Do the Next Thing.
In a world that often underestimates the resilience and potential of women in midlife, Pamela Lamp emerges as a voice for change and inspiration. Her recently published book speaks to her journey and serves as a practical guide to empower women to embrace new challenges and opportunities. That’s what Lamp did upon moving to a new state and city, leaving everything familiar behind and wondering how she’d fit in and make a new life for herself.
Her journey began with a simple kernel of an idea—do something new each day for a year. Whether it was something small and manageable, like attending a bookstore’s author event, or renting a bike for a trail ride, or more extensive, like recording her first YouTube video, Lamp highlights the transformative power of challenging oneself. As she learned, setting achievable goals and recognizing even minor achievements builds confidence. In Lamp’s case, that newfound confidence led to her popular website and podcast, Who I Met Today.
So, if you find yourself at a crossroads in midlife, take heed in Lamp’s example. Embrace challenges and take risks. By doing so, you can pave the way for a vibrant and fulfilling next chapter in your life. As you consider your own journey, ask yourself: What’s the next new thing you’re ready to pursue?
Many of us have been there. Because of life changes—kids are grown and gone, divorce, relocation, retirement, death, health issues—we ponder what’s next and try to determine a direction for our lives. We’re often stuck—wanting to do something but not knowing what that something is.
And how do you figure it out?
When she desired a purpose, a passion, friends, and a community, Pamela Lamp devised a project for herself. She took those first few steps—steps anyone can take —to find herself and begin the journey she wished to travel.
Like a conversation with a good friend, this book is…
Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling Richard Esposito's newly released biography—and the first ever—about Jimmy Breslin examines the life and career of the legendary American journalist and author, bringing his story to a wider audience.
In a career that spanned decades, Breslin was at the forefront of many major New York news stories including “Son of Sam” and Bernard Goetz. But Richard Esposito's biography is not merely a recounting of events; it is a penetrating exploration of Breslin's character, passions, and the environment that shaped his writing. Beginning with Breslin’s humble beginnings in a blue-collar neighborhood in Queens, New York, and his father’s abandonment of the family. Both had a significant influence on his work.
Throughout his career, Breslin focused on the lives of often forgotten people. He highlighted crime, corruption, and urban poverty. His articles were often provocative, sparking debates about politics, culture, and life in New York City. Breslin also had a unique talent for finding the extraordinary within the ordinary. In 1963, following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Breslin famously turned to an unconventional source for an interview: the gravedigger who would prepare Kennedy’s final resting place.
With a timeline of significant life events and excepts from some of Breslin’s memorable columns, Esposito’s biography underscores why Breslin remains an enduring figure in American journalism.
“Do not. Confuse me. With. The facts. I tell the truth.” ―Jimmy Breslin
The first-ever biography of America’s greatest crime reporter
In a newspaper career spanning decades, Jimmy Breslin covered the stories that he knew mattered most: the human stories beyond the front page. From the JFK assassination, to the Son of Sam killings, mafia heists, the Crown Heights riots, and the Occupy movement, Breslin’s influential columns captured the lifebeat of the second half of the 20th century. A quintessential New Yorker, Breslin rubbed shoulders with world leaders and neighborhood arsonists, profiled JFK’s gravedigger, and elicited letters from the Son…
When you think of New York City, your mind likely goes to towering skyscrapers, bustling streets, and the vibrant life that pulses through its neighborhoods. However, tucked away in this urban sprawl lies a different kind of beauty—the serene, often-overlooked cemeteries that serve as more than permanent resting places for the deceased. They are archives of history and culture, preserving the stories of the past for future generations.
In Gardens of Stone, I take readers on a tour through the storied grounds of more than 30 cemeteries across the five boroughs, from the early churchyards, like Trinity Churchyard in Lower Manhattan, to the more expansive landscapes of Brooklyn’s Green-Wood and Calvary in Queens, that boast some of the most famous permanent residents. Each cemetery tells a unique story, not only about the individuals buried there but also about the city itself.
