Wicked Pittsburgh is a compilation of many tales of corruption in my dear city. It was enlightening for sure and an easy read. It described in detail the origins of crime and corruption from the days of prohibition to the numbers games and finally some murder connections. I was especially interested in the sections about "Little Canada" as it related part of the history of the North Side of Pittsburgh, from which my relatives hailed! According to Gazarik:
"The neighborhood got its moniker because a crook was as safe in Little Canada as if he were in its namesake to the north. “The law of the state and nation stopped on the north banks of the Allegheny and Ohio,” read one story. Little Canada was “notorious as the playground of the criminal element and leaders of the vice and booze syndicates” reported a Pittsburgh newspaper. This motley assortment of criminals, madams and prostitutes worked in 150 brothels, which newspapers referred to as “resorts.”
I had no idea!
The chapters on David L. Lawrence and Robert Duggan and Richard Thornburgh were especially interesting because of the history that was concomitant with my growing up in the city. They proved illustrative of the fact that sometimes you just aren't aware of your surroundings.
Although there were some editing issues in the book of repetitive sections and grammar issues, it was, nevertheless, a worthwhile read for any one interested in the "behind the scenes" of Pittsburgh.
