View source for The Gangs of New York (book)

{{use mdy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{use American English|date=April 2014}}
{{infobox book
| name           = The Gangs of New York: An Informal History of the Underworld
| image          =The Gangs of New York 1927 cover.png
| caption        =First edition cover
| alt            =
| author         = [[Herbert Asbury]] 
| illustrator    =
| cover_artist   =
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| subject        = Early 19th-early 20th century crime in [[New York City]] 
| published      = 1927
| publisher      =  Publishing Company
| media_type     = Print
| pages          = 400
| awards         =
| isbn           =
| oclc           = 8903814
| dewey          =364.106097471
| congress       =HV6439 .U7
| preceded_by    =
| followed_by    =
| wikisource     =
| exclude_cover  =
}}
'''''The Gangs of New York: An Informal History of the Underworld''''' is an American [[non-fiction]] book by [[Herbert Asbury]], first published in 1927 by Garden City Publishing Company.

==Description==
{{Further|List of identities in The Gangs of New York (book)}}
The book details the rise and fall of 19th century [[gang]]s in [[New York City]], prior to the domination of the [[Italian-American Mafia]] during [[Prohibition]] in the 1920s. Focusing on the saloon halls, gambling dens, and winding alleys of the [[Bowery]] and the [[Five Points, Manhattan|Five Points]] district of [[Lower Manhattan]], the book evokes the destitution and violence of a turbulent era, when colorfully named criminals like "Dandy" [[Johnny Dolan]], [[William Poole]] (also known as Bill the Butcher), and [[Hell-Cat Maggie]] lurked in the shadows, and infamous gangs including the [[Plug Uglies]], [[Dead Rabbits]], and [[Bowery Boys]] ruled the streets. It includes a [[rogues' gallery]] of [[prostitutes]], [[pimps]], poisoners, [[pickpockets]], murderers, and thieves.

The book contains detailed accounts of the [[New York City draft riots]] in 1863. It also elaborates on numerous other criminal influences of the time, including river pirates and the corrupt political establishment such as [[Tammany Hall]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Asbury |first1=Herbert |title=The gangs of New York : an informal history of the underworld |date=1927 |publisher=Thunder's Mouth Press |isbn=1560252758 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/gangsofnewyorka00asbu }}</ref>

==Adaptation==
The book was loosely adapted into the [[epic film|epic]] [[historical drama]] film ''[[Gangs of New York]]'' (2002) by director [[Martin Scorsese]].

==See also==
{{portal|Books|New York City}}
* [[Books about New York City]]
* [[History of New York City]]
* [[List of non-fiction works made into feature films]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{worldcat|oclc=8903814}}
* [https://archive.is/20110704110644/http://207.234.158.22/gangsofnewyork/ Comparison of the book and movie] at herbertasbury.com
{{Gangs of New York}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gangs of New York}}
[[Category:1928 non-fiction books]]
[[Category:19th century in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Books about New York City]]
[[Category:Non-fiction books adapted into films]]
[[Category:English-language books]]
[[Category:Five Points, Manhattan]]
[[Category:Former gangs in New York City]]
[[Category:History books about the 19th century]]
[[Category:Non-fiction books about organized crime]]
[[Category:Works about Irish-American organized crime]]


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