The Gangs of New York

First published in 1928, Herbert Asbury’s “The Gangs of New York” is probably best remembered today as the source material for Martin Scorsese’s 2002 film of the same name. According to the original publisher’s announcement “this is a history of New York’s underworld, from its beginnings in revolutionary times down to its virtual end as an organized force for evil during the first decade of the present century.” “The Gangs of New York” is all of this and much more, a rogues’ gallery of arch...