{"title":"Richard J. Shmelter","description":"\u003cp\u003eRICHARD J. SHMELTER is a writer and researcher specializing in sports history, American crime history, and Hollywood history, with four published books to his name. His recent books include \u003cem\u003eThe Los Angeles Lakers Encyclopedia\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eThe Raiders Encyclopedia\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eChicago Assassin: The Life and Legend of \"Machine Gun\" Jack McGurn and the Chicago Beer Wars of the Roaring Twenties\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShmelter is a member of the International Association of Crime Writers, the American Crime Writers League, and the Professional Football Researchers Association.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen he’s not writing, Shmelter hosts the podcast Flashback on Raiders Fan Radio. His work spans the intersection of American sports, crime, and cultural history across the twentieth century.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRichard lives in Sagamore Hills, Ohio.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRichard J. Shmelter’s books are published by Cumberland House Publishing, an imprint of Turner Publishing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBrowse more: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/books-new-releases\"\u003eNew Releases\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/award-winning-books\"\u003eAward-Winning Books\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"chicago-assassin","title":"Chicago Assassin: The Life and Legend of \"Machine Gun\" Jack McGurn and the Chicago Beer Wars of the Roaring Twenties","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe city of Chicago led the nation when it came to gangland violence during the Prohibition era. As a result, many infamous, unforgettable personalities became a part of America's criminal history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eChicago Assassin\u003c\/em\u003e is the story of \"Machine Gun\" Jack McGurn, one of the people responsible for putting much of the roar into the Roaring Twenties. His family immigrated to Chicago from Sicily in 1906, as he grew up in the city's slums and later took up boxing as \"Battling\" Jack McGurn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter avenging his father's death by killing the three hit men responsible, he came to the attention of Al Capone, who invited him into his organization, known as the Chicago Outfit. There he rose to power and was one of the most feared members Capone's organizations, with more than twenty-five known kills for the mob. \"Battling\" Jack McGurn became so adept with the Thompson submachine gun that he quickly became known as \"Machine Gun\" Jack McGurn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- amazon-buylink --\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003csmall\u003eWe earn a commission for purchases made through the following links.\u003c\/small\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/1581826184\/ref=nosim?tag=tpcecomm-20\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow\"\u003eshop for this title at Amazon\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c!-- \/amazon-buylink --\u003e\u003c!-- bookshop-buylink --\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/book\/9781581826180\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eshop for this title at Bookshop.org\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c!-- \/bookshop-buylink --\u003e","brand":"Richard J. Shmelter","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":43236421370072,"sku":"9781581826180","price":22.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0563\/7786\/8475\/files\/ChicagoAssassin_FC_mockup_v2_1664814085_5db56ef0-ad87-41cb-b7ec-c698cafb27bb.jpg?v=1791025115"}],"url":"https:\/\/turnerpublishing.com\/collections\/author-richard-j-shmelter.oembed","provider":"Turner Publishing","version":"1.0","type":"link"}