Thsi book has comprehensive coverage of 177 of the most infamous assassins, serial killers, frauds, gangsters, murderers, terrorists, thieves, and traitors in American history. American Villains
explores the lives, deeds and punishments of 177 of the most infamous villains of our time. What makes this set unique is that it focuses on U.S. criminals who are not generally covered in American biographical surveys. While there are many books that cover fictional villains in videogames, comic-books, and movies, few cover real villains of history in one convenient set.Scope and coverage - the 177 essays in American Villains cover a broad range of personages, including Assassins and would-be Assassins (John Wilkes Booth, John Hinckley Jr., James Earl Ray, Lee Harvey Oswald), Corrupt Politicians (Byron Looper, Joseph Weil), Cult Leaders (Jim Jones, David Berg, Charles Manson), Gangsters and Associates (Ma Barker, Al Capone, John Dillinger, Pretty Boy Floyd), Murderers (Lizzie Borden, Mark David Chapman, Scott Peterson, Karla Faye Tucker), Outlaws and Gunslingers (William H. Bonney, Butch Cassidy, Bob & Emmett Dalton, Jesse James), Political Rebels and Revolutionaries (William Clarke Quantrill, Anastase Vonsiatksy), Scientists and Doctors (Larry C. Ford, Linda Burfield Hazzard), Serial Killers (David Berkowitz, Ted Bundy, Albert De Salvo, Aileen Wuomos), Terrorists (D.B. Cooper, Timothy McVeigh, Eric Rudolph) and Traitors and Spies (Benedict Arnold, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, Tokyo Rose).Organization and format - the essays in this set are approximately 1,000 words in length and are arranged alphabetically. Each essay begins with ready-reference information, including: Name of Villain; Identity (e.g., Spree murderer, Gangster); Born (date and place of birth); Died (date and place of birth); Also known as (aliases, nicknames, full and birth names); Major offenses (crimes); Active (period of greatest offenses); Locale (where operated) and Sentence (years in prison, other punishment).
Early Life
is a summary of the upbringing of the villain and entry into crime.
Criminal Career
is a chronological overview of all criminal activities;
Legal Action and Outcome
identifies legal response, trials, sentences and punishments,
Impact
assesses why the person is remembered and what his or her significance is in history and popular culture, and
Further Reading
lists sources for further study.Special features - the front matter includes a complete list of contents, a pronunciation guide, and a list of contributors. Several appendixes and indexes can be found at the end of Volume 2, including a Chronological List of personages, a Category index of identities, and a listing of Web resources. A comprehensive Personages Index rounds out the set.