"Gangbuster: One Man's Battle Against Crime, Corruption, and the Klan" by Alan Prendergast is a riveting account of the remarkable life and tireless crusade of Denver District Attorney Philip Van Cise. In this meticulously researched book, Prendergast chronicles Van Cise's relentless efforts to combat organized crime, political corruption, and racial bigotry in 1920s and 1930s Denver. At the heart of the narrative is Van Cise's courageous stand against the Ku Klux Klan, which had gained significant influence in Colorado during that era. Prendergast vividly portrays Van Cise's unwavering commitment to justice and his fearless pursuit of Klan members and their collaborators, despite facing threats to his life and career. Through vivid storytelling and extensive archival research, Prendergast brings to life the tumultuous social and political landscape of early 20th-century Denver, where corruption and bigotry often went unchecked. He illuminates Van Cise's efforts to dismantle criminal networks, expose political corruption, and challenge the entrenched power structures that enabled the Klan to flourish.

Tantor Audio and Net Galley provided a great opportunity to experience the audio version of "Gangbuster." The true story of Phillip Van Cise's fight against corruption and the KKK in the 1920s was both inspiring and unsettling, showing the power of one person against evil forces. Alan Prendergast's engaging narration, combined with Gabriel Vaughan's excellent performance as the narrator, made this nonfiction book a captivating listen. The parallels between the 1920s and 2020s are thought-provoking, and the book's length was just right to maintain interest throughout.

A fascinating look at the political and social climate of the 1920s in Denver. DA Van Cise is dismayed by organized crime’s hold on so many of Denver’s policemen, judges, lawyers, and political job holders that he sets out to bring the corruption to the attention of its citizens. Just as his work against the swindlers is winding up, the KKK bursts on the scene and corruption reaches a whole new level. Van Cise is honorable, creative, and persistent in his efforts to uphold the promise of what America should be. Reading about the climate in our country 100 years ago has helped me understand and not despair about the current situations threatening that same American promise of equality and opportunity inclusive of all faiths, races, and heritages.

Thanks to NetGalley and Citadel Press for the ARC to read and review.

Thank you to Netgalley & Kensington Books for an advanced copy of Gangbuster in exchange for my honest review.
I'm a big fan of true crime and found this a really interesting read, the Author did a great job of telling this story and I learned a lot. While at times it's hard to believe that some of these events actually happened as they got so dark and seedy, the author made it such a fun, interesting read. A lot of the time when topics like this are covered the focus is on the negative, horrific aspects and the evil players involved but it's refreshing to read about the good people who did the right thing and the often dangerous task of taking on the bad guys for the greater good.

A great read that you will learn a lot from.

Rookie district attorney Philip Van Cise is making a name for himself with a new type of law enforcement. He is trying to do things a different way, and is using military tactics in a new way, to help catch criminals. He has taken down 1 kingpin, but he has his eye on an evil that is darker and more troublesome...... the KKK. Can he use the new tools at his disposal to put them in jail?

So. Much. Corruption. Wow.

Having read "Columbine" by David Cullen and all he went through in finding the truth in the midst of corruption and truth-hiding about the school shooting, I was reminded of his book and all he wrote about over and over while reading this book and coming to the realization that corruption and scandal has always played a part in the government of Colorado, and also makes me wonder just how much the Klan still plays a part in the governing of that state.

A story of corruption and the Klan and the man that tried to curb it, this is a powerful read and amazingly enough, even though this is in the 1920's, it is extremely relevant to today and how many who would LOVE to run the government much like the Klan did back then. This is a really excellent read that taught me so much that I didn't know about the Klan and they way they operated/operates [some of it was just so frustrating to read; I cannot imagine how much more it was for those who were fighting for justice against them] and I would recommend it to anyone who loved good NF.

I was able to also receive an audiobook ARC of this book. This was NOT my favorite narrator, but far from the worst that I have ever had [thankfully]. His pronunciation was off on quite a few words and it would throw off my attention of what I was listening to, but thankfully, it wasn't often and after some time, I settled in well enough. Compared to some that I have had in the past that were virtually unlistenable to, this was pretty decent and I am glad that I was able to receive the ARC for this.

Thank you to NetGalley, Alan Prendergast, Gabriel Vaughan - Narrator, Tantor Audio, and Kensington Books for providing both the ARC and the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

On one hand, it is hard to believe that the series of events that inspired Gangbuster happened, but on the other, I can imagine each scene very clearly. Although Gangbuster is history, the book reads like a work of fiction. Alan Prendergast makes the history of one man's battle against the mob and the KKK accessible and a quick read, even for someone who doesn't usually read historical books.

At a time when people loved to dig up those in our history who did the wrong thing it is so refreshing to see someone dig up a person who did the right thing. I am talking about the kernel also known as assistant district attorney Richard Vance ice weather common criminal bootlegger mafia king or is in the KKK he wasn’t afraid to put anyone behind bars in with stand up for the right thing no matter what that thing was. Denver versus town and he made it known early on he would not take bribes or help a handshake deal that came with the wink he was a straight shooter and man who knew what he wanted for his beloved Denver and was courageous enough to steak his life on it. Alan Prendergast has done a fabulous job detailing his life and career in the book Gang Busters and has created a must read for historical True Crime fans in those who love to read about men with integrity. I cannot recommend this book enough to listen to the audiobook and read some of the Kindle Burton in both definitely propel you to keep breathing. This is a fabulous book I received this book from NetGalley and the audio version from Tantore audio but I am leaving this revere voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Gangbuster is an interesting look at the seedy history of the well known hipster city of Denver Colorado. From gangs and brothels, to the KKK. Prendergast takes a magnifying glass and uses it to show you, the welcoming and cool city many of us know of now has a pretty dark history.

Gangbuster has been extremely fun and a book that I feel is what I love about history: action, intrigue and stopping crimes and this story has all of that with one man’s mission to stop the Ku Klux Klan in Colorado.

Alan Pendergast delivers fantastic chapters that bring this true story to full effect and allows readers to understand the struggle to stop crime and the KKK in Colorado.

I loved Gangbuster and highly recommend it to history fans!

Denver was quite a mess in the early 1900s! Graft and scams were rampant and then those American grown idiots the KKK showed up. Into the fray steps Philip Van Cise and Alan Prendergast is here to tell us all about him.

Gangbuster is a very fun book. It is basically a tale of two books. The first covers Van Cise and his epic take-down of the criminal elements of Denver in mostly one fell swoop. The other is the story of the KKK rising and falling in Colorado. My sole quibble with the book is that Van Cise is mostly absent from the second half of the book and the KKK takes center stage. That being said, Prendergast has a skill for making the whole thing so interesting that I didn't enjoy the book any less when Van Cise took a backseat.

Prendergast is especially adept at chronicling the ins and outs of swindles in this time period. There are a lot of names and terms which most people would never recognize but I really loved this portion of the book because it remained well paced while educating the reader. I highly recommend giving this book a read.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Kensington/Citadel Books. The full review will be posted to HistoryNerdsUnited.com on 3/28/2023.)

I received a free copy of Gangbuster, by Alan Prendergast, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Philip Van Cise was an amazing man, a gangbuster if you will. This book was a bit dark with all the gang dealings, but a well written book, about a very intelligent man.