12/21/2023 0 Comments Shows like boardwalk empire![]() ![]() While the links between organized crime and the politicians is documented extensively, the book centers on the political corruption instead of gangland shenanigans. While the author spends plenty of time on the reign of political boss and part time racketeer Nucky Johnson, the inspiration for the Steve Buscemi’s character Nucky Thompson, and the way that the corrupt Republican machine built and ruled Atlantic City for decades, this is really a history and not a true crime book. However, anyone looking for an interesting history of Atlantic City from its humble beginnings of a second rate resort town through it’s glory days of as a popular destination point during Prohibition because of it’s total unwillingness to enforce anti-booze laws to it’s current state as a gambling town that is still plagued by urban decay would probably find this book interesting. If fans of the HBO series Boardwalk Empire read this hoping just for more stories about corrupt politicians, gangsters, bootlegging, sex, violence, and a disfigured hit man, they’re probably going to be disappointed. For more information about the HBO television series, or to order the book visit the Plexus Publishing, Inc. Here is proof positive that truth is stranger and more compelling than fiction. Boardwalk Empire is a colorful, irresistible history of a unique city and culture. Author Nelson Johnson traces AC from its humble beginnings as Jonathan Pitney s seaside health resort, through the notorious backroom politics and power struggles, to the city s astonishing rebirth as an entertainment and gambling mecca where just about anything goes. In Boardwalk Empire, Nucky Johnson, Louis the Commodore Kuehnle, Frank Hap Farley, and Atlantic City itself spring to life in all their garish splendor. This unique alliance reached full bloom in the person of Enoch Nucky Johnson the second of three bosses to head the Republican machine that dominated city politics and society. For the next 70 years, Atlantic City was dominated by a partnership comprised of local politicians and racketeers. By 1900, a political juggernaut, funded by payoffs from gambling rooms, bars, and brothels, was firmly entrenched. Success of the local economy was the only ideology, and critics and do-gooders weren t tolerated. The resort s singular purpose of providing a good time to its visitors whether lawful or not demanded a single mentality to rule the town. Given Nucky’s troubles with the law, including his arrest for election fraud, Margaret has felt increasingly alone.A bustling little city by the seashore, totally dependent upon money spent by tourists, Atlantic City s popularity rose in the early 20th century and peaked during Prohibition. He also helps usher in a romantic conflict, as Owen begins to conduct an affair with Margaret. Cox is so charismatic that he adds a lot of emotional weight to a season that is largely dominated by negotiations and betrayals. While Owen is charming on the outside and appears to be rather affable, he’s just as ruthless as any of the other characters. However, Season 2 gets a major boost of energy from Owen (Charlie Cox), a young Irish recruit to Nucky’s group from Ireland who proves to be a valuable asset to the bootlegging operation. There are some interesting ideas about Jimmy rebelling against the paternal side of Nucky, but for the most part his rise to power is relatively dull. Unfortunately, the character of Jimmy is more grating than it is threatening, and Pitt makes him so generally unlikeable that it's difficult to invest in the conflict. Season 2 of Boardwalk Empire shows Nucky squaring off against his presumed protégé Jimmy Darmody (Michael Pitt), who threatens to take ownership of the operation and cut out Nucky’s influence. While some television shows choose to end their runs on an ambiguous note that leaves the viewer with lingering questions about the characters’ fates, Boardwalk Empire makes a definitive decision with its final episode “Eldorado.” “Eldorado” doesn't necessarily rank among the best finales of all-time, but it's a fairly decent installment that ties in an interesting reveal about Nucky’s family history. Similarly, the last storyline dedicated to the government agent turned gangster Nelson Van Alden ( played by Michael Shannon) feels like an abrupt conclusion for a character that potentially had room to grow. While the flashbacks to Nucky’s childhood and adolescence do a great job at fleshing out the events that led him to becoming such a notorious figure within the gangster community, his attempts to resolve his relationships with some of the series regulars feel like they’re treading over familiar territory. The final season of Boardwalk Empire isn’t a major disappointment like House of Cards or Game of Thrones, but it does feel slightly underwhelming considering the creative highs that the series had reached. ![]()
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