Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City

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Summary: From corrupt crime bosses, to the influence of Republicans
Review: Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, And Corruption Of Atlantic City by Nelson Johnson studies the history, politics, and personalities (both good and bad), that shaped and influenced Atlantic City during the years of the twentieth century. Ranging from corrupt crime bosses, to the influence of Republican politics, to the present day characterization of Atlantic City as a haven for entertainment and gambling, Boardwalk Empire is an absorbing, informative, and at times startling chronicle of an American city. Boardwalk Empire is a strongly recommended addition to Political Science and 20th Century American History collections.

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Summary: Killer Read!
Review: Extremely solid research---the author says it took twenty years, and that is apparent. Johnson tells it all---from salacious anecdote (what the Reading Public demands!) to scholarly relating of broader historical movements to Atlantic City's unique and amazing (some might say "weird") story. So well written, it reads like a novel. From "The Commodore" to "The Donald", Johnson particularly excells at character description. Absolutely brilliant---Highest Recommendation.

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Summary: A Shore Bet
Review: I am pleased to be the first reader from Atlantic City to review this book. It goes without saying that it was of special interest to me. Throughout my life I have met several of the key figures in this book, so it was fascinating to learn more about their lives.

I enjoyed reading this book very much and would recommend it to anyone interested in Atlantic City. It was well written and researched. Nelson Johnson repeats facts when they become relative to another incident. This makes it much easier to keep track of the players and how one event or person influences another years later.

Johnson helps local residents understand why a unique racial tension still exists in this small northern city. This may not be apparent to readers unfamiliar with the area.

If I were to change anything about this book, it would be the last few pages. It ends with Nelson Johnson giving his opinion on the future of Atlantic City and how it can avoid its mistakes of the past. It is my feeling that this possibly belonged in a separate conclusion but not as the ending to the last chapter.

History buffs and political junkies will love this book.

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Summary: NO GAMBLE
Review: I have been interested in this most amazing city for about 30 years now. I thought that I had nothing else to learn about the city until I read Boardwalk Empire. Thank you Mr. Johnson for bringing a lot of new information to light in a most enjoyable fashion. Once started, it was hard to put this excellent book to rest. I highly recommend this book to anyone remotely interested in urban America. This book is a sure thing.

Rating:
Summary: NO GAMBLE
Review: I have been interested in this most amazing city for about 30 years now. I thought that I had nothing else to learn about the city until I read Boardwalk Empire. Thank you Mr. Johnson for bringing a lot of new information to light in a most enjoyable fashion. Once started, it was hard to put this excellent book to rest. I highly recommend this book to anyone remotely interested in urban America. This book is a sure thing.

Rating:
Summary: Boardwalk Empire
Review: Nelson Johnson's account of Atlantic City reflects his long and intense twenty-years of research. His "heroes and villains," quite often the same person informs readers that in Atlantic City all that glitters was not gold, but gold-plated. The racketeers and politicians all tended to land on their feet even when faced with the "law" as it was at that time. The book is fact-filled, concise, and tells the true story of how A.C. became casino city. Mister Johnson accompishes this without boring the reader. It is well-paced and worth reaing.