The Woodlands, TX 4/23/2012 6:59:16 PM
News / Education

The 'Last Of The Capones' Tells The Inside Scoop On One Of The World's Most Notorious Men

"Contrary to public opinion, Al Capone did not die in prison and he did not die of syphilis," states Deirdre Marie Capone. The grandniece that lived in the house of her famous (and favorite) uncle knew him well and recalls the man who taught her to ride a bike, swim, and play the mandolin. Already a best-seller on Amazon, her explicit memoir, Uncle Al Capone…The Untold Story From Inside His Family (Recap Publishing LLC), tells many never-before-known facts about this iconic figure's life and death.

As the last member of the family born with the name Capone, Deirdre recalls what life was like as a child growing up in the Capone household and shares fond memories of her relationship with Al's sister Mafalda, affectionately known to her as Aunt Maffie.

Deirdre knows what the 'family' was really like, and what the 'outfit' was all about. In her tell-all book she shares details untold until now; that Ralph and Al Capone lobbied the Nevada legislature to legalize gambling, alcohol and prostitution in that state; that they were the owners of the first upscale casino in Las Vegas way before Bugsy Siegel came to Vegas, and what really happened in the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.

Attempts by Deirdre's own father to live a more legitimate lifestyle and shake the shame of the Capone name failed, resulting in him taking his own life when she was just ten years old. Deirdre had tried to hide the fact she was a Capone for most of her own life - even leaving Chicago in her early thirties to start over in Minnesota and telling no one her real name except her husband. That changed the day her son came home from school and announced they were studying Al Capone in class and she and her husband agreed it was time to tell the kids her ancestry. Her fears were put to rest when the kids announced it was totally 'cool' and, at age 34, she finally accepted herself as Deirdre Marie Capone and today her 14 grandchildren are proud to tell the story of their ancestry.

While Uncle Al Capone is packed with fascinating stories about Al and his family, it also contains many never-before-published photos as well as authentic Capone family recipes for the food that Al and his family enjoyed. Uncle Al Capone offers a distinctly different look at a man who was endlessly depicted as the iconic mastermind behind some of the century's most brutal killings.

Since January of this year marked the 65th anniversary of Al Capone's death, and after years of research and exhaustive interviews with relatives, Deirdre - the last link in the Capone chain - felt compelled to share this unique piece of history with the world.

For all the dissension, for all the pain, there comes a moment in our lives where we have to stand up and say: This - the good and the bad - is who I am, says Deirdre Marie Capone. For more information on this intriguing book, please visit: www.unclealcapone.com.