Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City

Like many other readers, I was drawn to Nelson Johnson's book through the HBO show it inspired. As Nucky Thompson drew further away from reality and more into a weird, violent, nihilistic fantasy world that only seems to exist in "gritty" gangster shows and movies, I got more interested in what Nucky Johnson was actually like. On that note, the other N. Johnson's book delivers with aplomb. Boardwalk Empire is a breezy read. The chapters on the founding of Atlantic City's corrupt dynasty by the Commodore, carrying through to the real life Nucky's thirty year reign, into the political machinery of "Hap" Farley is fascinating. Johnson mostly remembers that the empire such men topped included its own shadow bureaucracy of ward workers, constituent services, and African American hotel employees. The result feels more nuanced, as chapters deviate into deeper dives on the actual day to day life of the machine and the city.Unfortunately, the book doesn't end with Hap, and the last two chapters land on such a sour note that I wish the author would write an updated version. Two problems rear their ugly heads in the last few chapters, one structural, the other just historic:1. Johnson's writing style is very stop-and-go, with the narrative advancing only to the next person Johnson finds interesting, then he backtracks to write out several pages of biography. After "Hap" Farley this accelerates and more and more backstories clog up the flow. Johnson also writes all of his political figures in a weirdly fawning, half friendly light, downplaying the damage of corruption and playing up their community roles.2. I can only explain the last chapter as awkward reading in 2018. Johnson concludes the book with Donald Trump, who he treats as a narrative thru-line to the Commodore. Which, among other things, means referring to "The Donald" accordingly to a grating degree. Given that the book was completed before Trump concluded his smash and grab in Atlantic City, using junk bonds to finance his casinos then running for the hills with the profits as they burned behind him, Johnson ends by declaring how great legalized gambling has been for Atlantic City; how it built a "different kind" of casino culture. The book would be better served by the newer ending, with casinos playing out one the role of one more line of credit to a desperate gambler in deep with the sharks. It's certainly the narrative Trump used on the campaign trail, mocking the city and New Jersey's governor as suckers who got out too late.Regardless I'd recommend Empire. As a work of history it's compelling, even its foray into current events badly predicts the present.

I read this book for my Bookclub and we also watched the movie Atlantic City (1981) we also meet Nelson Johnson (Author) & Anthony Laciura (Actor from the Series) in person and they signed our books. This is a great book it gives you great facts and the history of how it all started for Atlantic City, Chapter after Chapter . Chapter 1-Jonathan Pitney's Beach Village.Chapter 2-The Grand Illusion. Chapter 3-A Plantation by the Sea. Chapter 4-Philadelphia's Playground. Chapter 5-The Golden Age of Nucky. Chapter 6-Hard Times for Nucky and his Town. Chapter 7-Hap. Chapter 8-The Painful Ride Down. Chapter 9- Turn out the Lights. Chapter 10-A second bite at the Apple. Chapter 11- It's a new Ballgame. Chapter 12- The Donald comes to Town (Donald Trump). Afterword. Sources Notes. About The Author. Index. Forward by Terence Winter. Prologue. The Book also includes Historical Photo's and includes HBO Series Photo Insert. It has extremely solid research from Nelson Johnson (no relation to "Nucky" Johnson ) This book is great for anyone who loves Atlantic City , loves the history of Atlantic City or just wants to know how it all started.Book DescriptionPublication Date: August 16, 2010Providing the inspiration and source material for the upcoming HBO series produced by Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese and Emmy Award-winning screenwriter Terence Winter, this riveting and wide-reaching history explores the sordid past of Atlantic City--forever a freewheeling town long-dedicated to the fast buck--from the city's heyday as a Prohibition-era mecca of lawlessness to its rebirth as a legitimate casino resort in the modern era. A colorful cast of powerful characters, led by "Commodore" Kuehnle and "Nucky" Johnson, populates this stranger-than-fiction account of corrupt politics and the toxic power structure that grew out of guile, finesse, and extortion. Atlantic City's shadowy past--through its rise, fall, and rebirth--is given new light in this revealing, and often appalling, study of legislative abuse and organized crime.About the AuthorNelson Johnson practiced law for 30 years, during which time he was active in Atlantic City and Atlantic County politics. He lives in Hammonton, New Jersey. Terence Winter is an Emmy Award-winning screenwriter for his work on The Sopranos. Along with Martin Scorsese, he is currently an executive producer for the HBO series Boardwalk Empire. He lives in New York City. Terence Winter is an Emmy Award-winning screenwriter for his work on The Sopranos. Along with Martin Scorsese, he is currently an executive producer for the HBO series Boardwalk Empire. He lives in New York City.Product DetailsPaperback: 312 pagesPublisher: Plexus Publishing; TV Tie-in Edition edition (August 16, 2010)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0966674863ISBN-13: 978-0966674866Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.6 x 0.7 inches Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City Atlantic City Boardwalk Empire: The Complete First Season Boardwalk Empire: The Complete Second Season

This purchase was a gift to my father-in-law for his birthday. He has his own stories of visits here during some of the years covered in the book both for business and pleasure and this was the main reason I gave it to him. Myself, I downloaded my copy to my Kindle. What a wonderfully crafted history. I have been working here in Atlantic City for the past two years on a major hotel/casino project and to learn the history of this small yet significant isalnd was a delight. While here I have met many peolpe who were here during the 30's, 40's and 50's and to combine their stories with those of the author has been a wonderful and insightful 'tour'. It answers many questions, provides personal insights, and adds the colors and textures to an American Portrait of an amazing town. One specific aspect of the manner in which the book is written is how the author handles what might have been cumbersome footnotes and references. The 'afterward' of the book is as enjoyable as the main story itself.Anyone who has ever been here, or has relatives who were here years ago, or would like to know the complete story about a unique place in our American Lanscape should read this book!I have mentioned this book to a variety of people who thought it was merely the book version of the HBO series. When I explain the series is but a few chapters of the book they seem genuinely interested.I am dveloping a long list of recipients for holiday gifts.OK, I liked the book. I think that's what you were actually asking.

Well written account of an interesting place and period. Despite the alleged connections the TV series is completely fictional but nevertheless entertaining

For any fan of the world class TV series the book is a fascinating history of Atlantic City - warts and all. You get to know the real characters from the time and learn a true insight into how Atlantic City became what it is today.

Weird book. Was expecting a story based on the TV show, but it was more of a factual and informative book. Perhaps my mistake for not doing my research on this product.

This is a great companion book for the TV series. There are no spoilers so go ahead and read it. It's the factual account of Nuky Thompson and several others in the early 1900s as they played with politics and gangs in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It's a good read, but gets a but dry at times. There are photographs, too.

Excellent. A fine outline & background of the Atlantic City shown in the TV series.