The Ghosts of Eden Park: The Bootleg King, the Women Who Pursued Him, and the Murder That Shocked Jazz-Age America Kindle Edition

Most families have a bootlegger story that has been passed down from the Prohibition Era. Maybe someone's grandfather ran booze or the family's neighbor made booze. Or some relative knew where to buy booze (who didn't during that time period?) But, what a family story one would have if related to George Remus! Remus is either the villain or the hero of Karen Abbott's new book THE GHOSTS OF EDEN PARK. Depending on how an individual feels about prohibition, the law, business and enterprise, Remus may either horrify or delight. In most ways, it is the latter. Here is a man who flouted the rules, but with such style and conviction that the reader has to admire him rather than look askance. First there is the pull-yourself-up-by-the-boot-strings background of the fellow: he dropped out of school in 8th grade to work at an uncle's pharmacy, and by the age of 19, he'd bought the pharmacy. Although he seemed to do well in the pharmaceutical business, he decided he wanted to pursue law instead. While practicing as a lawyer, Remus noticed that many were being charged with violations of the new Volstead Act. Rather than capitalizing on this specialty in law, he decided to study ways around the act in order to become a top-of-the-line bootlegger himself. Interesting character, eh?Remus was VERY successful in his bootlegging ventures. He didn't drink alcohol, he had a good sense for business, and he kept finding and exploiting loopholes in the law. His empire grew large, and his lifestyle showed it. Some of the best descriptions in the book are of his lavish mansion in Cincinnati - 31 rooms total plus 10 acres of gardens, and a Greco-Roman swimming pool housed in its own building (and which cost him $175,000 to build in 1920's dollars.) In addition to the house, there were the furnishings, the art, and the extravagant parties thrown there. Of course, there was also Imogene. Imogene was Remus' second wife, and he loved, trusted, and coveted her. A woman younger than the famous bootlegger, she called him "Daddy," and was in the relationship for - what? Sometimes it is hard to tell. Imogene is a difficult character. The reader pictures her - all fashionable and perky - and wants to like her, but there is something about her words and actions that give way to distrust. No secrets are being given away - the reader knows from the start of the book that Remus killed her, BUT . . . one does not expect the up and down feelings that come with that. Is she a victim? Do we care? Who do we feel for? The dead woman or the rejected man? The relationship is so puzzling that it provides as much interest - if not more - than the bootlegging empire and eventual fall from grace. George Remus did not have the reputation of a good man. There was violence in his history, and he certainly comes across on the page as someone that no one would want to mess with. George always seemed to win, come out on top, and how he got there depended on many actions that most law abiding citizens would scorn. Still, he comes across as likable. This is not your usual villain.There is also a heroine in the book (no, not wife Imogene): Mabel Walker Willebrandt. Imagine a woman working in Washington, DC in the 1920s as the Assistant Attorney General of the United States. Who knew there was a woman in such a powerful and unusual position so many years ago in American history? Suddenly Abbott's book becomes an interesting presentation of women's studies in US politics. Willebrandt was appointed to this prestigious position just nine months after American women were given the right to vote! Amazing history. Amazing times. Unfortunately for Willebrandt, her Washington bosses assigned her the task of keeping tabs on the Volstead Act, and Mabel - who had, before Prohibition - enjoyed an occasional glass of wine, was forced to put all her energies into this new law and to go after its biggest offenders. Mabel had to do what Mabel had to do because she was a woman in a high-up position, reportable to men, and trying to prove that women were equal and capable and could fit right in government roles as well as the males one normally expected to find there. The reader will root for Mabel, right? Well . . .maybe . . .That is the interesting dilemma in Abbott's book. Who does one root for? Who is the villain? Who is the hero/heroine? Is anyone? Or does it change from day to day, chapter to chapter? The characters - all very real people - are what make THE GHOSTS OF EDEN PARK so captivating. One turns the pages quickly trying to settle into a fan club for someone: Remus? Imogene? Willebrandt? The reader's feelings for the various players changes frequently. How can one like Remus who is such a scheming and violent man? It turns out he is actually quite likable despite his faults and mistakes. How can one not feel devastated to hear that Imogene has been killed? When does the reader lose empathy? And as far as cheering for pioneering feminist, Maude Willebrandt? Her story and actions grow old, and the reader becomes frustrated and annoyed with her. THE GHOSTS OF EDEN PARK is the most memorable book of recent times in which villains and heroes are not clearcut. It is a book that makes one think and question: what is a villain? what is a hero?That Prohibition was wrong is certainly an ongoing theme throughout Abbott's work. If the Volstead Act had not gone through, there would have been no George Remus as bootlegger, no GHOSTS OF EDEN PARK, and perhaps no death of Imogene. Who knows what Mabel would have been able to do in Washington, DC if she had been assigned another task. As for Washington,DC itself, Abbott continues to give us lessons in American history, perhaps one of the most important being the high-level involvement and complicity of male government employees in the cover-up and side cash business of Prohibition. Yes, there is corruption on all levels in this fast-paced book. Plenty of action - and learning - for everyone. The one area Abbott didn't delve in too deeply was mental health, and, for the main character, George Remus, it is likely that most readers will want to know more. The man was a bit of a genius, but he was unstable and unpredictable in the most amazing ways. Abbott, probably wisely, left the mental-health issues to the courtroom: Remus defending himself based on the insanity plea, and the reports of alienists (psychiatrists) who studied him. It will be tempting for readers to speculate on his actual diagnosis, however. If he were alive and being tried today, what would we hear from the mental-health experts? Was George Remus a classic psychopath?THE GHOSTS OF EDEN PARK is a ride well worth taking. The book moves right along, the characters are absorbing, and with bootlegging and murder and other crimes thrown in, what could go wrong in such a work? Not much. Abbott proves once again that she is the queen of this particular genre of nonfiction. An earlier book of hers, SIN IN THE SECOND CITY: MADAMS, MINISTERS, PLAYBOYS AND THE BATTLE FOR AMERICA'S SOUL is another recommended read. Check it out.

The song "Anything Goes" outlines the life of George Remus, the King of the Bootleggers. This book is an eye opener of the seedy doings on both sides during Prohibition. Good people on both sides, and some real stinkers!

The ghosts of Eden Park is very informative but the writing lacks the passion that would make us care about the people she writes about.

The Ghosts of Eden Park by Karen Abbott is a masterfully crafted true crime narrative that plunges readers into a gripping story of bootlegging, murder, and the pursuit of justice. This book is a fascinating blend of historical intrigue and true crime drama, offering a captivating reading experience from start to finish.Abbott’s storytelling is exceptional, bringing to life the roaring twenties with vivid detail and rich historical context. The book chronicles the rise and fall of George Remus, the notorious "Bootleg King," whose criminal empire and dramatic downfall make for a compelling read. The narrative is well-researched and meticulously detailed, providing a thorough exploration of the era's turbulent social and legal landscape.The character portrayal is particularly noteworthy. Abbott does an excellent job of delving into the lives of the women who played pivotal roles in this saga, offering a nuanced perspective on their experiences and motivations. The stories of these women, intertwined with the central narrative of Remus's criminal activities and the ensuing murder trial, add depth and dimension to the story.The pacing is spot-on, with each chapter building suspense and intrigue as the story unfolds. Abbott’s ability to weave together multiple narrative threads—ranging from criminal investigations to courtroom drama—keeps readers engaged and eager to see what happens next.One of the highlights of this book is how it sheds light on lesser-known aspects of history, providing a fresh and insightful look at a fascinating period. The detailed research and vivid storytelling make The Ghosts of Eden Park a standout in the genre.Overall, The Ghosts of Eden Park is a riveting and well-crafted true crime book that offers an enthralling glimpse into a dramatic chapter of American history. Karen Abbott’s engaging narrative and thorough research make it a highly recommended read for fans of true crime and historical nonfiction.