If anyone is looking for a new American hero, Alan Prendergast’s new book, “Gangbuster: One Man’s Battle Against Crime, Corruption, and the Klan,” has identified one. Prendergast has again taken to pen to demonstrate his gift for true crime narratives to tell the story of Philip Van Cise, the fearless and methodical Denver district attorney of the post-World War I era.
Prendergast’s book, which comes out in March, is such a smooth and enjoyable read that it almost reads like fiction. The story he tells has all the makings of a fictionalized detective novel; but then again, truth is stranger than fiction.
The author provides just enough background on his subject to relay the type of man the former World War I intelligence officer was: fearless, with a passion for justice, and unimpeachable integrity. Along with background on his subject, the author also describes the type of crime his protagonist was dealing with: the Big Con. The Big Con was an elaborate scam perpetrated by collaborating scam artists to swindle people out of their money.
But the targets had to be worthwhile. These cons were typically worth tens of thousands of dollars. Those who have watched the film “The Sting” with Paul Newman and Robert Redford will have an idea of how it works. Of course, the sting operation conducted in this real-life drama had the good guys on the right side of the law.
Colorful Characters
The bold Van Cise isn’t the only colorful character in this story. Con artists, corrupt cops and judges, clandestine operatives, scam victims (including one out for revenge), business owners who helped fund the investigation, and an informant who helps bring down this house of cards come into play to make this story roll. Not to sell anyone short, Van Cise’s wife Adele proved accommodating to the stress of her husband’s job and even assisted in the investigations.As the Big Con and its artists are eventually rounded up (in ways elaborate enough for the silver screen) and brought to justice, the author prepares the reader for another onslaught of injustice: the rise of the Ku Klux Klan.
The author demonstrates how the Klan rose to power throughout the nation and lost its power nearly as quickly. The characters seem to top those of the Big Con in many ways from their deviousness to their cowardice (particularly the politicians who seemed beholden to the Klan).
Prendergast also discusses how implausible the Klan’s rise seemed to have been, especially in Colorado. But it rose all the same, and Van Cise, despite being out of office for most of the Klan’s eventual demise, did all he could to stop it.
Defining Moments
There are many moments in the book that are memorable, moments that play out like a movie, which is simply a testament to Prendergast’s gift. One of the more memorable scenes has Van Cise trying to speak to a crowd during an election rally. The Klan, which had grown significantly in Denver and its surrounding areas, had filled the auditorium well before the event took place.The author captures the insanity that swelled throughout Van Cise’s speech. It’s a haunting moment in the book for several reasons. It demonstrates just how easily people can be convinced that evil is good and will make absolute lunatics of themselves to prove it. It also shows the results of law enforcement choosing an ideology over law and order.
Van Cise is the hero among heroes in this book, and the moment in the auditorium exemplified what type of hero he was. In a losing battle, he maintained the line he had drawn that night and never backed down, even when it seemed more sensible to pack up and go home.
Two Tales in One
“Gangbuster” is a book with two tales. The first is about Van Cise’s shrewd methods of bringing down Denver’s underworld. He is intricately involved in every detail. He is the chess master moving the pieces into place. It is suspenseful reading.The second half, which focuses on the Klan, is also suspenseful reading. In many ways, Van Cise is practically out of the picture. There is a long space of time where the reader may wonder why this time of political and criminal upheaval is presented in a book that is supposed to be about Van Cise. That’s a question that is tough to answer.
Even I found myself wondering about that. Prendergast does his best to tie Van Cise in with the collapse of the Klan, especially because in both tales, there were some of the same players. To Prendergast’s credit, he is such a good writer that the reader will find it hard to put the book down, even when the protagonist is seemingly no longer part of the story.
All in all, “Gangbuster” proved to be a fun and fast read with elements of history that are very interesting to revisit. Although Van Cise had ideas that were controversial when it came to the constitutionality of investigating and prosecuting criminals, he was a man who cared about the average citizen more than the bribing criminals and spineless politicians.
The story of Van Cise, his detectives, and those who sponsored them is a reminder that there are people out there who care about justice and the rule of law. For certain, it is a story worth knowing, and Van Cise is a character worth replicating.
