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From: "Helen Pike" <helenpike@comcast.net>
List Editor: h-nj@MAIL.H-NET.MSU.EDU
Editor's Subject: ANN: New NJ HBO series
Author's Subject: ANN: New NJ HBO series
Date Written: Wed, November 4, 2009 8:11 am
Date Posted: Thu, 04 Nov 2009 22:38:44 -0500

The new HBO series is based on Nelson Johnson's book "Boardwalk Empire:
The  Birth, High Times and Corruption of Atlantic City".

It's an amazingly researched work; I own a copy and heard Nelson speak to
the Atlantic County Historical Society (I believe it's new name is the
Atlantic Heritage Center in Somers Point) when the book first came out in
2002. I had little knowledge of the extensive reach and alliances New
Jersey politicians (from north and south) had back then.

The book was a real eye opener, giving me a greater context to understand
a  history of corruption that is statewide and insidious, and how a
handful of people determine our collective fate as residents and
taxpayers.

Johnson, who's family goes back generations in Atlantic County, spent 20
years gathering his information and talking to just about everyone
because,  well, he knew everyone. He's a career lawyer; had been an
Atlantic County  freeholder, and is down-to-earth guy. Good speaker.

I agree with Joe, and hope, as well, Scorsese doesn't reduce Atlantic City
into a small-screen caricature. Even if it's on HBO.

Helen Pike

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