New Book Profiles Amazing But True Crime Stories From The Hood

[Gangsters Inc.]

Many of the books written about the black gangster have been, for the most part, lengthy tomes focusing on the kingpins of the gangland scene, gangsters with names like Nicky Barnes, Frank Lucas, Lorenzo Fat Cat Nichols and Kenneth Supreme McGiff. Yet there are many stories about the black gangster that have not received much press coverage or have simply been ignored or missed by the media. These stories reveal a lot about the history of the hood. Now for the first time, authors Ron Chepesiuk and Scott Wilson, in their book Straight from the Hood: Amazing but True Gangster Tales, out this month as an e-book and print book, illuminate some of these fascinating stories. The book is well-illustrated with more than 100 photographs.

In Straight from the Hood, the reader will find tales featuring drug kingpins, entertainers, hit men, street gangs, con men, corrupt cops and reformed gang bangers. Read about the most feared man in the entertainment industry, the love story between Fran, a former heroin addict, and David, a reformed gangsta, both of whom have become celebrities; the unlikely alliance between an ambitious Black gangsta and a violent—indeed crazy-- white Italian-American mobster; the terrorist plot involving a Chicago street gang, and more.

What impact did Al “Scarface” Capone have on the Chicago’s African American community? What does Alcatraz have to do with Harlem’s most famous godfather? Why is Denzel Washington in this book? Who is a modern day desperado who died by the gun but managed to live on through rap music? How did a stick-up artist from Brooklyn become Hip-Hop’s Answer to Lee Harvey Oswald?

Ron Chepesiuk is an award winning freelance investigative journalist and documentary film producer. He is a Fulbright scholar, a consultant to the History Channel's Gangland documentary series and executive producer and co-host of the popular radio show, Crimebeat. His true crime books include "Drug Lords, Black Gangsters of Chicago, Gangsters of Harlem Gangsters of Miami" and Sergeant Smack: The Legendary Lives and Times of Ike Atkinson, Kingpin, and His Band of Brothers.

“Not all the stories in our book end tragically and pointlessly,” Chepesiuk explained. “ Some of them even have endings that lead to constructive changes

Each of the 36 stories in Straight from the Hood: Amazing but True Gangster Tales are amazing, but true,” Chepesiuk explained “Our goal is to inform, educate, enlighten readers while entertaining them.”

Scott Wilson is a native of Bronx, New York, and a former New York State and Westchester County correction officer. He is a freelance journalist who has done work for publications such as Don Diva Magazine and Hip-Hop Weekly. He currently writes for the website Planet Ill (www.planetill.com), as well as his own blog Scott’s Introspection Section (www.scottsmindfield.com).

“Our book reveals an underworld that is more varied and mythic than outsiders could possibly imagine,” Wilson explained. “The stories contained within are equal parts funny, tragic, and amazing. Altogether, it makes for an entertaining and informative read that true crime aficionados should not miss.”

For further information: http://www.strategicmediabooks.com
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