The Broadway Books Library of Larceny Luc Sante, General Editor McGoorty is master billiards writer Robert Byrne’s racy account of the life of Danny McGoorty, a billiards champion of that bygone era when cue artists were often scam artists and pool rooms were held to be dens of iniquity. Hustler and hobo, womanizer and fashion plate, McGoorty was at once eyewitness to Capone’s Chicago and the feats of greats like Willie Hoppe and Willie Mosconi. In an all-American voice at once sarcastic, profane, humorous, and chock full of colorful lingo, he relates his colorful and seedy life and times with a unique style and brio.
The first statewide history of the Irish in the Prairie State Today over a million people in Illinois claim Irish ancestry and celebrate their love for Ireland. In this concise narrative history, authors Mathieu W. Billings and Sean Farrell bring together both familiar and unheralded stories of the Irish in Illinois, highlighting the critical roles these immigrants and their descendants played in the settlement and the making of the Prairie State. Short biographies and twenty-eight photographs vividly illustrate the significance and diversity of Irish contributions to Illinois. Billings and Farrell remind us of the countless ways Irish men and women have shaped the history and culture of the state. They fought in the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, the Civil War, and two world wars; built the state’s infrastructure and worked in its factories; taught Illinois children and served the poor. Irish political leaders helped to draw up the state’s first constitution, served in city, county, and state offices, and created a machine that dominated twentieth-century politics in Chicago and the state. This lively history adds to our understanding of the history of the Irish in the state over the past two hundred fifty years. Illinoisans and Midwesterners celebrating their connections to Ireland will treasure this rich and important account of the state’s history.
Mechanical Witness is the first cultural and legal history charting the changing role and theoretical implications of film and video use as courtroom evidence. Schwartz moves from the earliest employment of film in the courts of the 1920s to the notious 1991 Rodney Kind video, revealing how the courts have developed a reliance on film and video technologies and contributed to the growing influence of visual media as a dominant mode of knowledge formation. At the same time, film and video in juridical contexts has developed a distinct theoretical legacy. The particular qualities of film as evidence both resonate with and contradict existing scholarship-focusing on economic, social, or aesthetic factors-which hitherto has defined film's status and cultural contribution. In the context of a trial, the possible meanings of a film change from its meanings when shown in a movie theater or broadcast on television, yet the public (and cinema scholars) tend to assume that the two are the same. Mechanical Witness demonstrates that we must understand evidentiary film and video's institutional specificity if we are to understand the full effects of motion picture technologies on our culture. This study sets the terms for a long overdue assessment of how the entertainment industry has shaped our film viewing practices, the place of moving picture evidence in the courtroom, and the social and cultural consequences of these intertwined histories.
The legendary Harry Greb stepped into the ring more than 300 times from 1913 to 1926, defeated opponents who outweighed him by more than 30 pounds, held the middleweight and light heavyweight titles and beat every Hall of Fame boxer he ever fought. Dubbed "the Pittsburgh Windmill" because of his manic, freewheeling style in the ring, Greb also crossed racial lines, taking on all comers regardless of color. An injury in the ring led to Greb's gradually going blind in one eye and should have ended his career, but he kept his condition secret and fought on. Tragically, the indomitable fighter would be dead by the age of 32, felled by complications during minor surgery. This biography of one of the toughest boxers of all time includes interviews, family recollections, modern doctors' analyses of Greb's eye injury and more than 120 rare photographs, as well as a complete fight record and round-by-round descriptions of his most famous fights.
50 WESTERNS (Vol. 2) stands as a monumental collection that unveils the rugged beauty, daunting challenges, and audacious spirits that have come to define the American West through the eyes of its most illustrious storytellers. This anthology seamlessly weaves together an extraordinary tapestry of themes ranging from the tumultuous relationships between settlers and Native Americans to the relentless pursuit of freedom and prosperity on the frontier. The literary styles vary greatly, from the cerebral introspections of Willa Cather to the rip-roaring adventures of Zane Grey, creating a rich mosaic that reflects the multifaceted essence of the Western genre. The significance of these works transcends mere entertainment, offering profound insights into the human condition amidst the vast landscapes of the American wilderness. The contributors to this anthology are a veritable who's who of Western literature, with backgrounds as diverse as the characters they created. Authors such as Karl May and Edgar Rice Burroughs, despite their European origins or fantastical inclinations, captured the imagination of readers worldwide with their vivid portrayals of the American West. This collection aligns with various historical and cultural movements, from the rugged individualism emblematic of the frontier spirit to the complex socio-political dynamics of expansionism. Together, their narratives forge a comprehensive understanding of the era, underpinned by a shared reverence for the untamed beauty and inherent risks of frontier life. For enthusiasts and newcomers to Western literature alike, 50 WESTERNS (Vol. 2) offers an unparalleled journey across the dusty trails and sweeping plains of America's past. Readers are invited to delve into the complexities and contradictions of the West through stories that resonate with bravery, tragedy, and hope. This anthology not only serves as a testament to the enduring allure of the Western genre but also provides a unique educational opportunity to explore the evolution of American cultural and literary landscapes. Embarking on this literary journey promises not only a deeper appreciation for the genre but also a rewarding exploration of the diverse voices and visions that have shaped our understanding of the American West.
