The true-crime classic and basis for the renowned 1979 Clint Eastwood film: a “dramatic [and] thrilling” (Los Angeles Times) account of life inside Alcatraz, where America’s most violent and notorious prisoners resided in tortuous proximity to one of the world’s favorite cities Mobster Al “Scarface” Capone, “Machine Gun” Kelly, Robert Stroud aka the Birdman: only the most violent, desperate criminals were sent to Alcatraz Island—the Rock—where prison conditions were so harsh that escape, riot—even death—were an inmate’s only hope.
In 1963, just weeks before the original publication of this book, the last prisoner was escorted off of Devil’s Island and Alcatraz ceased to be a prison. But how did a Spanish fort transition to the infamous maximum-security penitentiary? In
Escape from Alcatraz, J. Campbell Bruce presents a gripping history of the Rock interwoven with a spellbinding narrative of the daring escape attempt by Frank Morris and two accomplices.
This updated edition of
Escape from Alcatraz features a gallery of photos, including scenes from the 1979 movie and archival photos of the prison and prison life.
In 1963, just weeks before the original publication of this book, the last prisoner was escorted off Devil's Island and Alcatraz ceased to be a prison. Author J. Campbell Bruce chronicles in spellbinding detail the Rock's transition from a Spanish fort to the maximum-security penitentiary that housed such infamous inmates as Robert Stroud, aka the Birdman of Alcatraz, and mobster Al "Scarface" Capone. The chapters describing the daring escape attempts by Frank Morris and two accomplices from this "inescapable" prison became the basis for the 1979 Clint Eastwood movie. Discover the intriguing and absorbing saga of Alcatraz, whose name is still synonymous with punitive isolation and deprivation, where America's most violent and notorious prisoners resided in tortuous proximity to one of the world's favorite cities.
The true-crime classic first published in 1963 is reissued in this special edition.Includes archival photos of the prison and prison life.This story will appeal to Bay Area locals and tourists alike.Alcatraz hosts more than a million visitors each year.
