There have been many books written about the notorious James “Whitey” Bulger. The organized crime boss addresses how he was portrayed by the media, and attempts to clear up any misconceptions in “James Whitey Bulger” by Alcatraz expert Michael Esslinger. Before he became the leader of the Winter Hill Gang in Boston, and spent many years in hiding as one of the FBI’s most wanted fugitives, Bulger served time on The Rock, San Francisco’s Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary.
Esslinger’s phenomenal book contains Bulger’s last interviews before he was killed hours after being transferred to a “high security” federal prison in West Virginia. After being profiled on programs such as “Unsolved Mysteries” and “American’s Most Wanted,” Bulger was finally arrested in Santa Monica, California in 2011. In Esslinger’s book, Bulger compares the many prisons he was incarcerated in.
While in prison, Bulger would volunteer to medical testing in exchange for a lighter sentence. He became a willing subject for the CIA sponsored MKUltra mind control program, and was given the hallucinogen – LSD. Bulger felt he was recruited by description, and suffered nightmares and often times had trouble sleeping altogether. Bulger also recalled being given an experimental vaccine for Whooping cough.
Esslinger does a fantastic job of documenting the relationship between Bulger and inmate Clarence Carnes. They served time together at Alcatraz, but Carnes would die in a Missouri medical center for prisoners in 1988. Carnes would be buried in a paupers’ grave, but Bulger would have the body exhumed and reburied on land in the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
Bulger’s memories of Alcatraz are astonishing, as he recalls vivid details of the daily route, the guards, and the meals they were served. Bulger also discusses the notable Alcatraz inmates he would come in contact with, such as Alvin “Kreepy” Karpis, gangster Mickey Cohen, and the Al Capone of Harlem, Bumpy Johnson. He also shares his experiences with Frank Morris, and the Anglin brothers – John and Clarence, who escaped Alcatraz in June 1962.
I found the chapters on the 1962 escape especially intriguing as Bulger shared his thoughts on the famed escape, as he believed the three made it to safety, and were wise to cut all ties while in hiding. In an interview, Bulger remembered the night they escaped, and being unable to sleep. Bulger also comments on the “Escape from Alcatraz” movie, which starred Clint Eastwood. Bulger believed Morris and the Anglin’s escape helped to close down Alcatraz, which happened in 1963.
Bulger also details his capture in California while living with his longtime girlfriend. Bulger served as a FBI informant for many years, He gave his opinion of why he believed the feds didn’t grant him immunity. Bulger also felt the media unfairly treated his brother William, who served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate, before being named the President of the University of Massachusetts. Bulger believed William’s only crime was being his brother.
“James Whitey Bulger” is five stars, and highly recommended!
By: Michael Esslinger
Narrated by: Christopher Hogan
Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins
Release date: 08-22-23
