Bootlegger Reviews:
Family history, so many people know so very little about their family history. What an eye-opening trip to the past. Great storytelling of true-life back in the days of prohibition. The family feuds, families sticking together, through pain, loss, and love. A total must-read for anyone who loves history and wants to fill in the blanks. - Reviewed by Ann
5 STARS
This story of prohibition reads smooth and silky like southern Illinois whiskey. Gypsy Jack, made in the hills of little Egypt, Illinois is famed throughout the land. Prohibition whiskey is the lightning bolt that comes in a bottle. The family loosely called the Rose Gang make their livelihood from this gift from the gods. A tale not only of prohibition but one of family, gangsters, ladies of the evening, and a community that comes together in a time long forgotten. You will be immersed in this book as it slides down your throat and into your heart. Owen, Rose, Lily, and Claire of gypsy blood will become as dear to you as your own. Relax and read with a glass of Gypsy Jack whiskey on the table. Spend the day with Bootlegger you won't regret a moment. - Reviewed by Anonymous
5 STARS
Bootlegger is a very intriguing book about one man and his family who made a living off bootlegging whiskey that his pa produced. This family went through many heartaches and troubles in their time of distribution of their bootlegging whiskey. They had undergone near-death experiences and deaths in their families as well. But never truly giving up on family or their friendships that were true. This book inspires me to know more of people’s life stories of their struggles back in the days when prohibition was going on. Others may want to read such history that others are unaware of to this day. - Reviewed by Anonymous
5 STARS
Owen’s mother was a gypsy unable to stay in one place for long. Shortly after leaving Owen with his father, Gypsy Jacks, and the best whiskey in the states. Aunt Rose and her two daughters come to stay to help raise Owen. Soon the entire family was making whiskey, the smooth fire that quenched so many. Prohibition was at its high point, whiskey running, shootouts, and gangs were common in Owen's life. Great photographs and clever commentary. You want to be able to keep your seat as Owen rides with his relatives in the backwoods. Feel his fear as the KKK comes calling. Overcoming disasters, you too will feel the pride of this close-knit family and community. A heartfelt tale that is part of history needed to be told. - Reviewed by Anonymous
5 STARS
Is it a true story? What about when you hear the name Little Rose Gang? I'm sure your way off base I know I was. They're not your usual gang, instead, it's about a close-knit family and their way of life running Whiskey. The pictures in this book really bring this story to life as you read it. What will happen when tragedy strikes? How will the family deal with it? A must-read to find out who they are and their life. An enjoyable quick little story. - Reviewed by Anonymous
Bootlegger is about a Southern Illinois family account of daily life in the Prohibition-era making and distributing whiskey. And accounts of hardships as well as celebrations along the way. The author Brian L. Alvis really takes you into the daily lives of the Rose family and the interesting people their lives touched along the way. Reading this book really brought to my attention how things were in my neck of the woods in the 1920s. I really enjoyed reading this book a lot. - Reviewed by Michelle
Bootlegger is a very intriguing book about one man and his family who made a living off bootlegging whiskey that his pa produced. This family went through many heartaches and troubles in their time of distribution of their bootlegging whiskey. They had undergone near-death experiences and deaths in their families as well. But never truly giving up on family or their friendships that were true. This book inspires me to know more of people’s life stories of their struggles back in the days when prohibition was going on. Others may want to read such history that others are unaware of to this day. - Reviewed by Carol
This story of prohibition reads smooth and silky like southern Illinois whiskey. Gypsy Jack, made in the hills of little Egypt, Illinois is famed throughout the land. Prohibition whiskey is the lightning bolt that comes in a bottle. The family loosely called the Rose Gang make their livelihood from this gift from the gods. A tale not only of prohibition but one of family, gangsters, ladies of the evening, and a community that comes together in a time long forgotten. You will be immersed in this book as it slides down your throat and into your heart. Owen, Rose, Lily, and Claire of gypsy blood will become as dear to you as your own. Relax and read with a glass of Gypsy Jack whiskey on the table. Spend the day with Bootlegger you won't regret a moment. - Reviewed by JJ
Is it a true story? What about when you hear the name Little Rose Gang? I'm sure your way off base I know I was. They're not your usual gang, instead, it's about a close-knit family and their way of life running Whiskey. The pictures in this book really bring this story to life as you read it.
What will happen when tragedy strikes? How will the family deal with it? A must-read to find out who they are and their life. An enjoyable quick little story. - Reviewed by Tiffany
Owen’s mother was a gypsy unable to stay in one place for long. Shortly after leaving Owen with his father Gypsy Jacks and the best whiskey in the states. Aunt Rose and her two daughters come to stay to help raise Owen. Soon the entire family was making whiskey, the smooth fire that quenched so many. Prohibition was at its high point, whiskey running, shootouts, and gangs were common in Owen's life. Great photographs and clever commentary.
You want to be able to keep your seat as Owen rides with his relatives in the backwoods. Feel his fear as the KKK comes calling. Overcoming disasters, you too will feel the pride of this close-knit family and community. A heartfelt tale that is part of history needed to be told. - Reviewed by PS
5 STARS
I am a huge fan of historical fiction, and this book does not disappoint! Being born and raised in Southern Illinois I am always on the lookout for some of its history. While this story is fictional, there are a lot of references to people, places, and historical events that actually happened in Illinois! The language the author uses is reminiscent of how my grandfather spoke and it makes me feel right at home in the pages of the story. The photographer has managed to capture the characters in such great detail that I feel as if they were real people! A great novel from an amazing author and wonderful photographer. - Reviewed by Laura H. via Amazon
5 STARS
I love reading about the history of southern Illinois so found the book interesting and entertaining. - Reviewed by Amazon Customer via Amazon
5 STARS
You can tell that this project was a labor of love. Great job. - Reviewed by Brandon Scrivner via Amazon
5 STARS
‘Bootlegger’ is a fusion of words and pictures to create something unique: A graphic novella. Author Brian Alvis tells the narrated account of an elderly man recalling the Prohibition-era Southern Illinois of his youth. He’s the last living member of moonshiners known as the Little Rose Gang, and Alvis uses actual events and historical figures to bring authenticity to his fictional tale. He uses mysteries surrounding the criminal gang wars of Charlie Birger and the Shelton Brothers to propel his story but remains very true to historical accounts of their feud and the lawless era serving as his background. The book is lavishly illustrated with photography by Robbie Edwards. With equal attention to accuracy, she’s captured characters and scenes in the form of actors modeling period clothing and with vintage props to illustrate the book. Over a thousand photos were taken for the project and the photographs selected for use make this a living, breathing chronicle of life in a rural region of the 1920s. Fictional it may be, but the book rings true both in the words and photos of people native to the locale, their concerns, their hopes, and the violence they faced or witnessed in a violent era. Perhaps, and necessarily, it’s sanitized enough to be appropriate for modern readers and younger readers, but that's why the focus on a family making 'shine they take pride in works so well. The Monroe family at the center of ‘Bootleggers’ aren’t running a huge criminal enterprise running on bathtub gin and greed. They make and supply quality whiskey, part of a family tradition that becomes lucrative when hard liquor was outlawed. Had the more criminal elements been the primary focus, the body count and power grabs would have required it to be a much darker tale. Alvis allows the photos to fill in details of appearance, alleviating unnecessary wordage, yet we still get some lovely descriptors regarding the settings and peeks into the personalities behind individual facades. Two observations, purely subjective, that would have enhanced the reading experience even more. There are several characters introduced in the first few chapters and it took me a bit to recognize which characters, especially in shots with multiple people, were which. As it's a family story, one photo with names scrawled on the white edging naming the members of the Monroe family might have helped. My folks used to do this in the big black and white photos they took and put in the family photo albums, sometimes with ages of the subjects included.) The other matter is dialogue. Owen Monroe as the youthful narrator makes wonderful observations, beautifully worded. His turns of phrase utilizing local expressions of the past are a joy. But I love good dialogue, and I miss it. That may not be possible in this kind of format, but it would have added to my investment, even if it's only based on the narrator's recollection, ‘hearing’ actual exchanges between characters. But Alvis and Edwards have created a very good book, and one so different from normal reading fare (at least my normal reading fare) as a read I’ll long remember. I’ve lived and worked in the area where the story takes place, and the creators capture the essence of the location accurately. They have another historical fiction coming, one with supernatural overtones, set in the same region and involving a legendary creature of Little Egypt’s lore. I’ll be purchasing that story-with-photos book as well. - Reviewed by Godzilla via Amazon
5 STARS
This book has beautiful imagery with not only words but photos as well, depicting the lives of gangs and moonshiners in Southern Illinois in the 1920’s. It really makes you think about the possibilities of what fictional as well as historical characters could make one feel. I personally felt like I could be a part of The Little Rose gang and break the law as seamlessly as they all did. Parts of this book twisted a knife in my chest while others kept me hoping for a happy romantic ending. Regardless of your favorite genre of book, this one is for you. - Reviewed by Lauren S. via Amazon
5 STARS
This is a very well written novel. The story flows easily with both fictional and factual historic characters. The photographs are both a fun and informative way to illustrate the story. A great read for a cold or rainy day! - Reviewed by Kevin Corley via Amazon
5 STARS
My daughter and boyfriend's book they wrote and did photographs. Great...well done. - Reviewed by Geri Owen
