Morbid Musings

Morbid Musings is a book blog about my varied reading interests.

Capone

Capone - John Kobler I read this several years ago. Its considered one of the definitive biographies on Capone. HIGHLY recommended.

World Encyclopedia Of Organized Crime

World Encyclopedia Of Organized Crime - Jay Robert Nash For general overview info, this book is decent. But if your serious about researching organized crime, you definitely should look elsewhere. The reason I gave this two stars is because the author Nash is notorious for deliberately giving false info for the biographies in the book, in the hopes that he gets to sue you for copyright infringement.

Murder Machine (Onyx)

Murder Machine (Onyx) - Gene Mustain, Jerry Capeci I read murder machine, several years ago. All I gotta say is that its a highly recommended non-stop slaughter fest. Gene Mustain, and Jerry Capeci, describe in intricate detail the murders orchestrated by the Gambino Crime Family's DeMeo Crew hence the title of the book "Murder Machine". This book is a must read. But be warned the descriptions of the murders included in the book are detailed in such a way that will make you think as if your a participant in these murders.

The First Family: Terror, Extortion, Revenge, Murder, and the Birth of the American Mafia

The First Family: Terror, Extortion, Revenge, Murder, and the Birth of the American Mafia - Mike Dash I'm currently reading this particular book. So far I've seriously enjoyed it. I'll give a more detailed review after I'm done reading it. I do have to agree with the other reviews of this book. Its a highly informative narration, and sheds new light into a little known personality (Giuseppe Morello) and the early days of the NY Mafia. Very nice photos as well many of which I've never come across online, or in other books.

The Hollywood Book of Death: The Bizarre, Often Sordid, Passings of More than 125 American Movie and TV Idols

The Hollywood Book of Death: The Bizarre, Often Sordid, Passings of More than 125 American Movie and TV Idols - James Parish The Hollywood Book of Death, chronicles the deaths in biographical style of a number of well known celebrities who've met their fate in a variety of ways. From automobile accidents, murder, suicide, overdose, etc etc etc. The book is a fascinating treat, which chronicles the deaths in subtle gruesome detail. Needless to say if your infatuated with the way celebrities have "dropped dead" you definitely should read this book.

Mr. Capone

Mr. Capone - Robert J. Schoenberg It's been several years since I've read, and reread this book. Let me just say if your new to reading about the history of organized crime, the Prohibition Era in Chicago, or the Prohibition Era in general. This book should be near the top of the list of books to read. As you might of guessed its on one of the most famous, if not infamous mobsters in American History.

The book traces Capone's roots from his childhood years in New York, and then to his rise to power as 1920s Chicago gangland chieftain. Along the way highlighting the friends, & foes, involved in his colorful, yet interesting life.

Elmwood Endures: History of a Detroit Cemetery

Elmwood Endures: History of a Detroit Cemetery - Michael S. Franck I've had this book since the late 90s. I've spent countless hours over the years photographing and video recording the marvelous grave sites in the cemetery. If your looking for a book on Elmwood, which include a wealth of biographical info on the inhabitants who reside eternally in the cemetery. Also worth noting a listing of notables by section, and profession (politics, military, black history) I highly recommend this book. This cemetery is one of my personal favorites to visit in the Spring and Summer months. I firmly believe this book will help you enjoy the solitude, and tranquility, while also appreciating the historical value of the cemetery and its final residents.

Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower's Bible

Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower's Bible - Jorge Cervantes I'm currently on chapter three. This book is a highly informative well thought out piece of literature. There are over 1000 full color photos between the covers. The book has everything you need to know to grow your own ganja.

The War of the Revolution

The War of the Revolution - Christopher Ward I'll give a more though review once I'm finished with this fascinating two volumes in one military treatise on the American Revolution. I will say if you're looking for an easy to read narrative on the military aspect of The American Revolution, which covers many of the campaigns and battles. Without the political aspect thrown in. Look no further than this book.

This treatise is definitely one of my personal favorites I've read on the American Revolution. Like I said, its an easy to read narrative, in a straight forward manner to comprehend, the chapters are not overly long ether. My only gripe about the book is that I wish it had more maps, I suppose that's a personal pet peeve of mine, as I like a decent amount of maps to get the lay of the land in military history style books. Other than the map issue its a seriously enjoyable narrative.

Silent Lives

Silent Lives - Lon Davis, Kevin Brownlow I read this book about a year or two ago. It has 100 short biographies of personalities from the silent film era. This is a good intro book if your starting to get into the films of the silent era like I am. And want to familiarize your self with the people you see on the silent screen. While it doesn't cover every person who were silent actors/actresses/directors, etc many of the more well known, and some obscure personalities are profiled in the book. Needless to say I highly recommend it.

Hollywood Remains to Be Seen: A Guide to the Movie Stars' Final Homes

Hollywood Remains to Be Seen: A Guide to the Movie Stars' Final Homes - Mark Masek "Hollywood Remains To Be Seen" by Mark Masek was published in 2001. I've read it once, and plan to read it again to refresh my memory. As a grave hunter who enjoys visiting the gravesites of anyone who was famous, infamous, or otherwise notable. This book while several years old, and out of print is considered (at least in my eyes) the bible and must read for any self respecting person who's into this sort of thing ie cemeteries, death, gravesites, etc. To keep up with the times Mark is publishing self guided tour e-books which you can find on Amazon.

The book is a joy to read. When I first read "Hollywood Remains To Be Seen" several years ago. I wasn't really familiar with who a lot of the people mentioned in the book were. BUT after developing an interest in older films, and doing a little online research, I started putting two and two together. The book covers fourteen of the more well known cemeteries in and around the Los Angeles area.

With all that being said I highly recommend the book, it should be in every grave hunters library. On a final note I interviewed Mark in episode 7 of The Gravecast Show podcast series. If your interested in listening to the highly informative episode where we discussed his book, and general grave hunting topics. You should visit The Gravecast Show website.

Rebels And Redcoats: The American Revolution Through The Eyes Of Those Who Fought And Lived It

Rebels And Redcoats: The American Revolution Through The Eyes Of Those Who Fought And Lived It - George F. Scheer, Hugh F. Rankin This book is a marvelously written historical narrative on the American Revolution. As told through the eyes of those who fought in the war, or who lived during the time period. I enjoyed it immensely. One of the things that caught my interest being that I have an interest in 18th century medicine was the narration throughout the book by the doctors and surgeons who lived during the time.

This is one of the best single volume historical narratives on the war. The writing style of the authors keeps the reader interested and the desire for wanting more. The only thing I wish the book had more of were maps. Don't get me wrong there are lots of maps in the book but some of the chapters on the various battles don't include any map. It would of been nice to see one map for each chapter to get the lay of the land. Other than the map issue this book should definitely be included in your American Revolution library.

Currently reading

This Will Kill You: A Guide to the Ways in Which We Go by H.P. Newquist, Rich Maloof, Bill McGuinness, Peter M. Fitzpatrick, Jim Shinnick, Peter M. Fitzpatrick, MD
Rest in Pieces: The Curious Fates of Famous Corpses by Bess Lovejoy
Funerals to Die For: The Craziest, Creepiest, and Most Bizarre Funeral Traditions and Practices Ever by Kathy Benjamin
Here Is Where: Discovering America's Great Forgotten History by Andrew Carroll
The Pot Book: A Complete Guide to Cannabis by Julie Holland
Off Color: The Violent History of Detroit's Notorious Purple Gang by Daniel Waugh
The Silent Don: The Criminal Underworld of Santo Trafficante Jr by Scott M. Deitche
David Busch's Mastering Digital Slr Photography, Fourth Edition by David D. Busch
American Spring: Lexington, Concord, and the Road to Revolution by Walter R. Borneman
The Drillmaster of Valley Forge: The Baron de Steuben and the Making of the American Army by Paul Lockhart