Alcatraz: A History of the Penitentiary Years - Softcover

Esslinger, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0970461402 ISBN 13: 9780970461407

Publisher: Ocean View Publishing, 2023

Synopsis

Alcatraz - A Definitive History of the Penitentiary Years is a comprehensive reference with hundreds of pages of historic photographs, documents, and information that breaks away from traditional tourist style books. This book is the result of years of intensive research, and navigates the Island's history through rarely seen documents, interviews, and historic photographs.

Historian Michael Esslinger thoroughly details the prominent events, inmates, and life inside the most infamous prison in American History. His research included hundreds of hours examining actual Alcatraz inmate files (including rare original documents from Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, and over a hundred others) exploring the prison grounds from the rooftop to the waterfront to help retrace events, escape routes, in addition to conducting various interviews with former inmates & guards. His study has resulted in detailed accounts of both the 1946 & 1962 Escape attempts. A definitive account of the 1962 escape of Frank Morris and the Anglin Brothers provides rare insight extracted through photos, and over 1,700 pages of FBI investigative notes.

Detailed narratives of Alcatraz's most notable inmates who include Robert Stroud (Birdman of Alcatraz), Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, Frank Morris, the Anglin Brothers, Doc Barker, Joe Cretzer, Bernard Coy, Miran Thompson, Sam Shockley, and many-many others. Alcatraz Federal Prison - A Definitive History of the Penitentiary Years, is a comprehensive reference on the history of Alcatraz and contains one of the most comprehensive archives of inmate and prison life photographs (nearly 1,000) from 1934-1963.

About this title

About the Author:

Michael Esslinger is a historical researcher and best-selling author whose acclaimed work has appeared in numerous books, film and television documentaries, including segments on the Discovery, National Geographic and History Channels.

His work spans entertainment, science, politics and historical subjects. From Space to Alcatraz, he has interviewed icons that have shaped world history, and continues to write on subjects that explore a vast spectrum of the human experience. He resides in California.

Review:

"... a greater trove of historical riches and human drama than screenwriters could imagine."
-- Jeanne Cooper, San Francisco Chronicle

"Through meticulous research, he has captured the experience of Alcatraz with an authentic voice."
-- From the foreword by former Alcatraz Inmate Darwin E. Coon.

"A detailed, in-depth, definitive, informative, and superbly presented account of an infamous institution of American history."
-- Jim Cox, Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book Review, KNLS Bookwatch

"This is a serious book, a comprehensive history of the island during its three decades as a federal penitentiary. At 451 oversized pages, including more than 1,000 pictures, it also represents a mammoth research undertaking... simply a terrific book, and an even better reference tool."
-- Sue Fishkoff, Coast Weekly

About this edition

• Publisher: Ocean View Publishing
• Publication date: 2023
• ISBN 10: 0970461402
• ISBN 13: 9780970461407
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 590