A slice of underworld life, '57, Chicago is a fact-based fictional thriller.
The banker's dead--a mob killing with repercussions. Money's tied up. Three men are on a collision course:
Al. He's a layoff bookie, thinks he can live as a middleman between his customers and the Outfit. His credo: Never take a position.
The Lip. Desperate and dangerous, he's a fight promoter trying to create the fight of a lifetime.
The Hammer. A great black hope. He's a boxer, thrust into an uncomfortable limelight. A potential heavyweight champ, his biggest fight is with himself.
The cops swarm. The gangsters rage. One night. One fight. No way they can all win. The heat's intense, the stakes are high and the outcome's impossible to predict. The mystery: Who makes it out alive? It's a bloody, savage night in '57, Chicago.
I was around in the year in which this book was based. I'm sure the author was, too. It depicts the gambling scene in 1957 Chicago to a T. The cover makes it look like this is a boxing book. It's not. It's a slice of underworld life and a suspense novel rolled into one. Real life murders and real life characters from the mob fill the background. A great, exciting read.
A MUST READ!!!!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
This story was recommended to me by a friend and am I glad I listened! The story line keeps the reader on the edge of his seat at all times leading up to a fantastic finish. Monroe obviously has a great deal of knowledge about both the sweet science and the world of gambling. ....
Goodfellas meets Raging Bull!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
Goodfellas meets Raging Bull! Remember the mobsters in Raging Bull - the guy who played Coach on Cheers was their leader? Well, this is THEIR story and it's fascinating! I was intrigued by the title and cover and man am I glad I read this novel. It's an authentic, energetic look at the violent world of small time boxing in noir Chicago. The back flap says that '46, Chicago is next. I can't wait!!
Wow! Riveting all the way through!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
Welcome to the openly criticized secretly celebrated underbelly of 1957 Chicago. In this Hemingwayesque story, Monroe masterfully weaves together the lives of bookie, fight promoter, fighter, mob and a cast of other memorable characters to give the reading public a refreshing and sometimes chilling view of what originally made Chicago famous. Not just a book about boxing, Steve Monroe's 57 Chicago makes you "sweat it out" all the way to the shocking end!
Fantastic
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
I have had a chance to review this book and find it a must read. This author has great literary skills and I am looking forward to his next book!
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