A wonderful memoir of Willie Radkay and his lifetime in crime and experiences at Alcatraz. Radkay served time with some of America's most famed inmates.

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Product Description

Willie Radkay grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, spanning the two World Wars, Prohibition, the Great Depression and the Gangster era. A lawless soul, Willie survived numerous bank robberies, jail breaks, escapes and gun battles - and took six bullets in one such confrontation. This is his story - including his many years behind bars with the "Cream of the Criminal Crop" at Alcatraz.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1056572 in Books
• Published on: 2005-06
• Released on: 2005-06-08
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 264 pages

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Customer Reviews

Last of the Bad Boys
Everything in the universe is circular and Willie Radkay made the full circle. From altar boy to Alcatraz to model citizen. But don't let that fool you. This is no boring namby-pamby "born again" ex-con tale that leaves out the juicy stuff. This is Willie's own story, as he related it to his niece Patty Terry, who has excellently "captured" his whole life story. The cops had to shoot Willie at least twelve times in the course of his various captures and he carried most of that lead around for the rest of his ninety-five years. A bank robber and escape artist from the classic gangster era, Willie's story is violent, dramatic, and even humorous at times and despite his crimes, his streak of rebellion, sense of humor, and sheer cantankerousness unveil a downright likeable rogue, as well as a true survivor who just had to make good in the end. His years on the Rock (with "pen pals" like "Machine Gun" Kelly, Basil "The Owl" Banghart, Harvey Bailey, Eddie Bentz, Alvin Karpis, and Jimmy Murray) are covered in detail and make for essential Alcatraz reading. The details may not always jibe with official reports but those reports aren't always right and Willie was there when it happened. If you ever wanted to talk with a former public enemy, this book is as close as you'll ever get.

A Devil Incarnate
I lived on Alcatraz Island and am very familiar with the History of the Federal Penitentiary years [1934-1963]. I have met "Willie" and have been fascinated by his life on Alcatraz [1945-1952]. "Willie's" niece Patty has successfully captured him in print. It is as if "Willie" was in the room with you, telling his story. This book should be read by anyone interested in the Gangster Era and Alcatraz Island. It will give you a NEW view of a vanished Era. Very well done. Easy to read!