{"product_id":"pay-quit-or-die-chicago-mob-ultimatum","title":"Pay, Quit, or Die: Chicago Mob Ultimatum","description":"Organized crime, the Mafia, or the Outfit as it is known in Chicago, is surrounded by a false glamour that elevates mobsters to the level of swashbuckling folk heroes whose ready violence and savage murders are too often excused in the public mind as acceptable because they only hurt each other. Similarly, illegal gambling, the bread-and-butter racket inevitably combined with loan-sharking and extortion, is widely tolerated because it is perceived to be a victimless crime. Donald H. Herion, a US Army veteran during the Korean War, who grew up in a neighborhood where there was a bookmaker on every corner, sometimes two or three, learned just how wrong all that was when he returned home from the Army and joined the Chicago Police Department. He wasn't sure that he was doing the right thing at the time because he really never liked cops, but if he didn't like it, he could always quit he thought. After six years learning the ropes in the patrol division collaring burglars and stick up men, chasing daredevil drivers, calming adversaries in domestic disputes, and riding herd on drunks and dope dealers, he was promoted to plainclothes as a vice cop investigating illegal gambling, narcotics, prostitution and gang bangers. He quickly learned that chasing bookmakers and busting up wire-rooms was a fight against organized crime. Illegal gambling was organized crime's biggest money maker, the Golden Calf that financed most of its other illicit activities ranging from stock and bankruptcy swindles to the narcotics trade. Herion and his partner were transferred to the Vice Control Section of the Organized Crime Division at police headquarters at 1121 S. State Street. He now had jurisdiction to make raids anywhere in the City of Chicago instead of only in his district. He was promoted to detective, then sergeant, he rubbed shoulders with degenerate gamblers, bookmakers, prostitutes and stone-cold killers, while witnessing first-hand how gambling destroys lives. He broke up more th\u003cbr\u003eASIN: 1425778496\u003cbr\u003eVSKU: BVV.1425778496.G\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Good\u003cbr\u003eAuthor\/Artist:Herion, Don\u003cbr\u003eBinding: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eNote:\u003c\/b\u003e Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition Notes\u003c\/b\u003e: The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact  including the dust cover, if applicable . Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.  \u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Blue Vase Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42735265611837,"sku":"BVV.1425778496.G","price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0589\/4225\/9261\/files\/1425778496-0.jpg?v=1763585659","url":"https:\/\/www.bluevasebooks.com\/products\/pay-quit-or-die-chicago-mob-ultimatum","provider":"Blue Vase Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}