This sounded like an interesting book, but I found it to be a terrible bore. Although there is some amusement to be found in the archaic terminology used by Inspector Byrnes in his description of the criminals, their stories just aren't very interesting. The problem (in my morbid mind, anyway) is that these are thieves and con artists, not murderers, so there aren't any good morbid tidbits to hold my interest. Although Byrnes does summarize a few interesting murder cases at the back of the book, it's not enough to salvage this dull work. Definitely of historical value, but not entertaining in the least.

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Product Description

Here is a late-nineteenth century rogues gallery of America’s foremost murderers, bank robbers, con-men, forgers, embezzlers, and pickpockets.

Written in 1886, PROFESSIONAL CRIMINALS OF AMERICA contains biographical sketches, including photographs, of some four hundred of the nation’s leading criminals. Each profile details the crimes committed and the circumstances leading up to arrest and conviction. Also included are short chapters on executions, opium addiction, fugitives from justice, and prison commutation laws, along with chapters on mysterious unsolved murders, adventurers and adventuresses, and a list of every prison and state penitentiary in America at the time of publication.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1296151 in Books
• Published on: 2000-08-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 466 pages

Review
A fascinating document....profiles of 203 con artists, forgers, and thieves. -- Time Out New York

Review

From the Back Cover
A late-nineteenth century rogues gallery of America's foremost murderers, bank robbers, con men, forgers, embezzlers, and pickpockets. Written in 1886, Professional Criminals of America contains biographical sketches, including photographs, of some four hundred of the nation's leading criminals. Each profile details the crimes committed and the circumstances leading up to arrest and conviction. Also included are short, informative chapters on criminal methods, executions, opium addiction, fugitives from justice, and prison commutation laws, along with intriguing chapters on mysterious unsolved murders, adventurers and adventuresses, and a list of every prison and state penitentiary in America at the time of publication. (8 1/2 X 11, 466 pages, b&w photos, charts)

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Customer Reviews

Excellent
I bought this book in 1969, just as it had been reprinted, I think, for the first time since 1886. Its the great big hard bound version, with the slip-over photograph cover. I still have it and read it every so often. It you are a real Historian and/or a lover of crime stories, you will want to add this book to your collection. It was written by the New York Chief of Police, Thomas Byrnes, and he writes each description like he's writing a novel. The photographs really help to make the book great too. Most photographs of 19th Century people all look pretty much the same. These are old-time mug shots,and a lot of the men and women are expressing their attitudes in their pictures. Once again, This book is a great addition to anyone's Historical crime book collection.