This story of Capone's early years in Brooklyn is a captivating look at one of the 20th century's most notorious criminals. With the assistance of his brother John, noted Capone historian William Balsamo compiles a compendium of little-known facts about the gangster's formative years from 1899 to 1925. One novel feature of this biography is the use of first-person accounts from those who knew Scarface and were part of his inner circle during this time. The road to Chicago was paved with incidents ranging from how he received the scar and developed his famous stare to more serious crimes in his neighborhood, including the precursor to the infamous St. Valentine's Day massacre. The inclusion of 16 pages of original black-and-white photographs from the private collection of William Balsamo, a distant relative of Brooklyn's first godfather, Batista Balsamo, provides a rare perspective. VERDICT This riveting and detailed narrative will draw readers in. Highly recommended for those interested in criminology and the psychology of crime.—Claire Franek, MSLS, Brockport, NY