SKU: 10479030305

Alcatraz: A History of the Penitentiary Years

Sale price$38.21 Regular price$42.46
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $10.62 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 18 - Jul 23

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

Alcatraz: A History of the Penitentiary YearsALCATRAZ the name alone said it all It was meant to send a shudder down the spines of the nation's most incorrigible criminals. It stripped Al Capone of his power. It tamed "Machine Gun" Kelly into a model of decorum. It took the birds away from the Birdman of Alcatraz. When prisoners boarded the boat for Alcatraz, they knew that they had reached the end of the line. Not only was this the toughest of all Federal penitentiaries, but it was also said to

ALCATRAZ - the name alone said it all... It was meant to send a shudder down the spines of the nation's most incorrigible criminals. It stripped Al Capone of his power. It tamed "Machine Gun" Kelly into a model of decorum. It took the birds away from the Birdman of Alcatraz.

When prisoners boarded the boat for Alcatraz, they knew that they had reached the end of the line. Not only was this the toughest of all Federal penitentiaries, but it was also said to be virtually escape-proof. The island was a natural fortress, separated from the mainland by a narrow strait of freezing water and deadly currents. This prison was the U.S. government's drastic answer to the lawlessness unleashed under Prohibition, which continued throughout the "Roaring Twenties" and into the teeth of the Great Depression. Alcatraz, with its damp cold and austere isolation, its rigid discipline and strict rule of silence, was as tough as the criminals that were sent there, and by the time the prison closed down in 1963, "the Rock" had indisputably done its job.

Alcatraz - A History of the Penitentiary Years has sustained as a staple reference for staff members on Alcatraz and remains one of the most comprehensive references chronicling the history. This mammoth reference navigates the island's history through rarely seen documents, interviews and hundreds of pages of historic photographs. Author interviews range from men such as legendary FBI fugitive James "Whitey' Bulger; Dale Stamphill, a principle in the 1938 escape with Doc Barker and Henry Young; to Atom Spy Morton Sobell, the codefendant of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg.

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 case 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. Esslinger interviewed a variety of principle figures, comprised of both convicts and officers who were either involved, on-duty, or on Alcatraz during nearly escape attempt. Interviews included prisoners and officers that covered each era of operations at Alcatraz from the early military period in the late 1920's, through the federal years, 1934 to 1963.

His study has resulted in detailed accounts of all the recorded escape attempts including the Battle of Alcatraz. A detailed 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 and Bureau of Prisons 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: The 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 (over 1,000).

WARNING: This book contains graphic depictions of extreme crime and violence and may not be suitable for all readers.



Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Ocean View Publishing
Published: 11/22/2016
ISBN: 9780970461469
Pages: 610
Weight: 3.72lbs
Size: 11.00h x 8.50w x 1.31d
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 10479030305

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.5 ★★★★★
Based on 11 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
M
Verified Purchase
Mike L.
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 4
Comfortable fit for slip-in fabric shoes
Size: 14, Color: Black/Black
My first experience with Marc Joseph. I typically purchase dress and casual work shoes from Florsheim and occasionally Rockport. I'm giving these four stars because the initial fit and feel appear solid. Depending on the shoe brand I wear a size 14 or 15. My feet are slightly wide but I don't alway need wide fit. These size 14 fit well with wide enough toe box. I've tried slip in shoes before and they just don't feel right. These somehow work and there is no heel slip. My only reservation is the high lip on the heel for slip-in and hope they dont catch pant hems. I gave 4 stars because I'll have to determine durability. Granted they are a light fabric shoe with a soft rubber tread. I'd like them to last for at least 6 months..and use them for business casual work wear during warm weather.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2026
C
Verified Purchase
Chris
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 5
Stylish and comfortable.
Size: 8 Wide, Color: Black/Black
Shoes look great and fits well. Definitely recommend pocking another pair.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2026
M
Verified Purchase
Mike
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 3
Narrow for an 11.5W
Size: 11.5 Wide, Color: Navy
Nice look and material but very narrow for a wide, had to return
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2026
D
Verified Purchase
David Kuck
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 5
NIce Shoes
Size: 10, Color: Black
Very nice quality and comfort
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2026
E
Verified Purchase
elizabeth a.
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Great shoe.
Size: 11.5, Color: Navy
Perfect fit. Stylish comfortable.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2026

recommand products