Previously published: New York : Paragon House, 1990.
Foreword by Jorge Luis Borges -- Introduction -- Cradle of the gangs -- Early gangs of the Bowery and Five Points -- Sin along the water front -- River pirates -- Killing of Bill the Butcher -- Police and Dead Rabbit Riots -- Draft Riots -- When New York was really wicked -- King of the bank robbers -- Whyos and their times -- Kingdoms of the gangs -- Prince of gangsters -- Wars of the Tongs -- Last of the gang wars -- Passing of the gangster -- Slang of the early gangsters.
