The California Snatch Racket: Kidnappings During the Prohibition and Depression Eras - Softcover

Smith, James R; Rogers, W Lane

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1884995632 ISBN 13: 9781884995637

Publisher: Craven Street Books, 2010

Synopsis

Bringing a dark and forgotten era into vivid life, this fascinating history explores a booming criminal enterprise that was spawned in California in the 1920s and 1930s. Exposing a spree of kidnappings referred to as the ""snatch racket,"" true accounts of the crimes and the unfortunate victims are revealed. Driven by greed, desperation, or sheer stupidity, this detailed discussion explains that the ransom artists preyed indiscriminately on Hollywood socialites, wealthy heiresses, and even the poor--while each new disappearance brought new headlines and sales to the newspaper companies. Illustrating the manner in which even the simplest capers would often run tragically awry, 15 bizarre and often ironic tales are presented, including how a modern city rose to lynch a pair of kidnappers, the college kids who chose to imitate Leopold and Loeb, and the famed evangelist who faked her own abduction to cover up an affair. Early forensic techniques are described, including the first documented call tracing using a bevy of operators in a phone chain, as well as the birth of the modern symbiotic relationship between the news media and high-profile crime, demonstrating how the sensationalism of personal tragedy became a source for increased media sales.

About this title

About the Author

James R. Smith is a California historian and the author of San Francisco's Lost Landmarks as well as a number of historical articles. He is a member of the California Historical Society, the San Francisco History Association, the San Francisco Museum & Historical Society, and the Library Fund at the University of California, Berkeley and is active in the preservation and promotion of history and historical lore. He is a frequent lecturer and discussion leader at universities, historical societies, libraries, and bookstores. He lives in San Francisco. The late W. Lane Rogers was an award-winning historian, a columnist for the Phoenix newspaper, and the author of several books, including Crimes & Misdeeds: Headlines from Arizona's Past and Ruthless Acts: The Utah Murders. He lived in Benson, Arizona.

From the Back Cover

In California in the 1920s and 1930s, kidnapping--nicknamed the "snatch racket" by a cynical newspaperman--was the most booming criminal enterprise around. Driven by greed, desperation and sometimes plain stupidity, ransom artists preyed indiscriminately on Hollywood socialites, wealthy heiresses and even poor people who couldn't pay a dime. Every new disappearance sold more newspapers, but for both the kidnappers and their unfortunate victims, even the simplest caper often went tragically wrong.

"California Snatch Racket" brings this dark and forgotten era into shockingly vivid life. Richly illustrated, "California Snatch Racket" reflects newspaper, police, court and prison accounts of the times written in a style that places the reader on the scene. Avoiding supposition and sensationalism, the book offers true accounts of the crimes and the people.

These 15 bizarre, often ironic tales illustrate the complex cruelties that flourished in the Golden Era of the Golden State. A modern city rises and lynches a pair of kidnappers. A victim begs leniency for his kidnapper in a case where a technicality demands the death penalty. A couple of college kids imitate the Leopold and Loeb kidnapping to prove their intellectual prowess and famed evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson fakes her own kidnapping to cover up an affair. "California Snatch Racket" recounts its stories in the manner of the times, while leaving judgment to the courts and the readers.

From the Inside Flap

Smith & Rogers rip back the candy-coating on the land of sunshine, Hollywood dreams and beach parties exposing the seedy underworld of gangsters and brutal kidnappings during prohibition and the depression in, 'The California Snatch Racket.' History buffs and true crime aficionados will relish this inside look into the Golden State's vicious past.
Kathleen Antrim, bestselling author of CAPITOL OFFENSE

In THE CALIFORNIA SNATCH RACKET, James R. Smith and W. Lane Rogers expose the murders, kidnappings and scams in abduction for profit, a crime that blossomed into a cottage industry in the 1920's and 1930's across the country. Smith and Rogers crafted a fascinating study into the history of the times and the crime through meticulous research and riveting storytelling. A must read for anyone interested in the evolution of criminal activity or in the prohibition and depression eras in the United States.
Diane Fanning, bestselling author of ten true crime books including MOMMY'S LITTLE GIRL

The horrible crime of kidnapping for ransom, where the victim is often the most innocent of all, has a remarkable presence in the Golden State. "Snatch Racket," with tales mostly of the '20s and '30, when newspaper accounts were at their most lurid, is an engaging series of yarns about the rich and famous to, sadly, the very young. Throughout, though, the book captures the flavor of the time and the impact of the events on the average guy, all with the urgency of an angry Tommy-gun.
Pat Craig
Critic, Bay Area News group

A fun and informative jaunt back in time to an era long forgotten. Many of the cases amazed me.
Kathryn Casey, bestselling author of BLOODLINES, SINGULARITY and SHATTERED

A dark history that succeeds brilliantly as neo-noir crime-writing, SNATCH RACKET is smart, enthusiastically detailed and a damn good read!
Ron Franscell, bestselling author of THE DARKEST NIGHT

True-crime readers will be fascinated by the meticulous research and case write-ups in this book detailing the era when kidnappings were so prevalent. A detailed look at the decades when kidnapping was king, The California Snatch Racket takes the reader into a world of cold-hearted criminals, desperate family members and determined law officers. Don't miss this one.
Sandie Kirkland, Booksie's Blog

Edition details

• Publisher: Craven Street Books
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1884995632
• ISBN 13: 9781884995637
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 393