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  • The Bootlegger's Friend

  • By: Clare Blando
  • Narrated by: Jim Cuddy
  • Length: 12 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (1 rating)

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The Bootlegger's Friend

By: Clare Blando
Narrated by: Jim Cuddy
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Publisher's summary

Bootlegger’s Friend is based on the true story of Johnny Lazia, a gifted politician who is admired and respected in Kansas City. Lazia embodies rough-and-tumble politics in the 1920s. He meets Giovanni Blando, recent immigrant from Sicily and nephew of Lazia’s mentor. Giovanni becomes a bootlegger and Johnny’s closest friend despite their outward differences. The men discover shared interests in liquor, poker, and politics. For a decade, the friends live decadent lifestyles in Kansas City, defy Prohibition, and ignore election laws.

Convinced Prohibition will be short-lived, Giovanni begs Johnny to pursue honest endeavors, but Johnny’s association with the underworld leads to the infamous Union Station Massacre, and he conspires to help one of the thugs escape the city. Johnny is blind to the danger and Giovanni is distressed to be involved in the conspiracy. The criminal gets away, but Giovanni fears for his friend’s safety and pressures Johnny to quit the criminal activities that are crumbling the world around them. It begins to work until a shocking crime changes Kansas City forever.

©2009 Clare Ann Blando (P)2019 Clare Ann Blando
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Superb audiobook

The Bootleggers Friend.
Is a superb entertainment experience. Lots of people who cameo inthis story some famous names. But the star of the book is undoubtedly Giovanni, larger than life and thoroughly likeable. He is the glue to the book.
Well written and very entertaining. And a big plus for me is that an epilogue ties up all the loose ends about the characters.
Never heard any of Jim Cuddy s narration before, and I found it to be very good especially his interpretation of Giovanni his shout of Roses Roses made me smile every time, as I pictured this big Italian man calling for his wife.
I received a free copy of this audio book at my own request and voluntarily leave this honest review.
I recommend this book it is good all round entertainment. .

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