Module 5 - History, Biography & Non-Fiction
"Read three of the following selections:"
Plot Summary
Bootleg begins with a graphic description of the St. Valentines Day Massacre that occurred towards the end of the prohibition era and poses the question "How had such good intentions gone so terribly, terribly wrong?" The rest of the book then goes on to chronicle the rise of prohibition sentiment, the passage of national prohibition, and the results of this law. We get a good glimpse into the personal lives of people caught up in alcohol trafficking as well as an overview of the organized crime that arose as a result of it. The book also treats us to a view of how prohibition was overturned, thus we get to see both sides of the law and just what happens when the majority remains silent in the face of something they find absurd.Critical Analysis
Bootleg was a fascinating read full of great descriptions of unique people of the era. Not only do we get a good look at the big names in the movements like Carrie Nation and Al Capone, but we also get a personal glimpse into the lives of average citizens like Raymond Parks, James Maxwell, and Leroy Ostransky. These anecdotes give readers a human connection to history and engage the reader in the lives of every day citizens who lived through the era. Without such elements, the book would read as dryly as a textbook listing dates and names and events.Narrative text is broken up with a smattering of period photographs that bring life to the events described. Photos are so prevalent that rarely is there a two page spread without some visual element to engage readers. The consistent dispersion of the photos makes the blocks of text more approachable. School Library Journal reviewers agree that "Black-and-white period photographs and reproductions of propaganda material add immediacy to the text," and Booklist reviewers also state, "Plenty of archival images lend to the book's pleasant design." The images are a critical part of the information contained within this volume. They engage readers and provide some visual primary source material for those conducting research on the era.
The glossary provides a selection of vocabulary that arose as a result of the prohibition era, but does not attempt to define every possible term in the text. This keeps the glossary down to a manageable size, and makes its terms useful and engaging for readers as they approach the end of the book or might be looking for an unusual term. Basic terms can be found in the index or a separate dictionary for simple definitions. The book would not suffer without this glossary, but it does add a nice exploration of some of the slang terms we've picked up from the period.
The bibliography is broken down by subject and then by chapter, which makes it an invaluable resource to anyone looking for further information on the topics included. Readers looking to jump into their own research can use this section to find more primary or original sources of information. Author Karen Blumenthal also provides a few tips at the beginning of the resources section for budding researchers, "For a real taste of what the debates about prohibition were like, there's nothing like newspapers and magazine articles of the time." She then explains which resources were best and how she was able to access them for free or low cost.
The table of contents lists engaging chapter titles, but they do not give significant information on what might be within the chapter, so it is of limited use for research purposes. The index, however, makes up for the failing of the table of contents; it lists lots of people and events and other terms that would aid research. Photographs related to the topics are also indicated within the index with bolded page number listings. And a page of Picture Credits explains the sources of each image for readers who might wish to seek their original sources for their own purposes.
The author's introduction of the St. Valentines Day Massacre is a great attention grabbing anecdote to draw readers in. And the epilogue leaves readers with a sense of how prohibition politics and sensibilities affect life today through alcohol and drug regulation. The positioning of these two engaging discussions place a nice frame around the description of the historical era and give it relevancy for today's youth that they can relate to.
Bibliography
Blumenthal, Karen. Bootleg: murder, moonshine, and the lawless years of prohibition. New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2011. ISBN 9781596434493.Reviews
From VOYA:Beginning with the grisly St. Valentine's Day Massacre in 1929, Bootleg completely captures readers. Nine chapters highlight the major players and events leading up to the passing and eventual repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The amendment made the manufacture, sale, and transport of alcohol illegal; the book's epilogue evaluates its success. ... Extensive historical research gives a comprehensive picture of the era, including the role of Henry Ford and automobiles. Driving a Model T to transport moonshine, Raymond Parks outran authorities, earned a fortune, and later founded NASCAR. Taken for a ride took on nefarious meaning! Students or anyone interested in the turbulent prohibition era will find this a very worthy resource.-Barbara Johnston.From School Library Journal:
Gangsters, guns, and political battles-this book has them all-and presents them in compelling prose. Blumenthal opens with the infamous St. Valentine's Day Massacre, then traces the history of the temperance movement from the Puritans through the signing of the 21st Amendment. Important individuals are given the spotlight, some well-known like Al Capone and Carrie Nation, others more obscure but equally essential, such as Senator Morris Sheppard, the Father of National Prohibition. The author also adds a fascinating epilogue that examines the effects of the era, both positive and negative, including advances in technology and progress in legislative theory. Black-and-white period photographs and reproductions of propaganda material add immediacy to the text. The breadth of the well-researched material makes Bootleg a substantial resource for reports; a deep bibliography and copious source notes provide ample opportunities for further study. However, this book is also a lively read and an excellent choice for displays and booktalks. The subtitle alone will pique readers' curiosity. -Rebecca Dash Donsky, New York Public LibraryFrom Booklist:
Blumenthal, author of the Sibert Honor Book Six Days in October: The Stock Market Crash of 1929 (2003), here offers a highly readable, well-shaped look at the Eighteenth Amendment, which she call. the most radical and ambitious social experiment ever tried. She provides concise, clearly written insights into the seeds of temperance movements in the late eighteenth century, which gained steam over the next century and finally reached a tipping point in the early twentieth century as an organized, powerful political movement. Of course, the grand social revolution that was supposed to forever end drunkenness, reduce crime, and make life better for America's families did almost precisely the opposite, and the section on Al Capone will satisfy readers hungry for the gangster-warfare side of Prohibition. A closing chapter makes an argument that despite the mostly disastrous results, there were bright points to Prohibition (like the sharp plunge in alcohol-related diseases) and looks at modern-day reverberations like MADD and school drug- and alcohol-awareness programs. Plenty of archival images lend to the book's pleasant design, and an ample bibliography and source notes close out this top-notch resource, which will also help spark discussion on the current War on Drugs.--Chipman, Ia.
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